Soost Family Adventures

An optimist stays up until midnight to see the new year in. A pessimist stays up to make sure the old year leaves. ~Bill Vaughan

2012-01-22T23:09:00.002-07:00

I haven't blogged in a long time and that was kind of on purpose. By the time December hits things get pretty crazy and I was super grouchy all month. I started off the month with a teenager hitting my car. No one was in my car at the time. It was parked, but it totaled out the car. I got the money for the car and will hopefully soon be buying another vehicle that better fits my massage table and can better fit in kids for carpooling.

We hit a baby shower and four birthday parties. One of which was for Zoey. My baby is growing up way too fast. We had her party at the Rec Center Swimming Pool this year and the kids had a blast.

Work has been super busy which of course is a good thing. Scheduling clients about a month out to make sure they get in. Work has been busy for Chris as well, he even worked 5 days a week for a while before the holidays hit.

Isaac loved his basketball season. It was short, interesting to watch and he was fun to watch!! Not sure what his next venture will be. I heard the rec has indoor soccer so we might look into that. Zoey is fueling her love for hockey. She adores the boys that are her coaches and works hard and does well. We go to practice twice a week and usually try to watch the boys play when they are at home. We had such a break though at the last practice (I super hope it holds). She is very sensitive so when we put her gear on it takes a long time to make sure it feels right and often there are tears. However, at the last practice she says "Mom, I am just going to leave the gear. It doesn't feel good, but it always feels fine when I am on the ice. I don't know why."

So when I wasn't busy running here and there I worked on finishing and sending in my continuing education for my athletic training which had to be done by the end of December. We did make it to Minnesota for Christmas and spent a lot of time driving. But the weather was good and I was glad to spend Christmas with family. Thank you to all who put up with a stressed out Jara! I spent the rest of Christmas break home with my kids, updating and cleaning my office and unwinding. I am starting to catch up on everything, fall back into a good routine. Who knows if I am lucky I might even start posting all those pictures I keep talking about.

Love one another and you will be happy. It's as simple and as difficult as that. ~Michael Leunig

2011-11-12T17:23:00.003-07:00

I know I have not blogged in quite a while. We have been staying busy with all kinds of stuff like basketball, hockey, work and repeat.

Zoey had her first "in house tournament" which basically means that they scrimmage the whole time versus working only on skills. We get done and get in the car and she says "that's not a tournament mom." "So what would make it a tournament?" "If we play like the purple team or the pink team." You can't hide much from her. A couple of weeks ago there wass some chatter about getting her ears pierced. Chris wanted to know why we have been putting it off for so long, so the next day I took her in. She picked out purple earings. Got both ears done at the same time and didn't even scream! No ear infection so far. She loves them.

We just had parent teacher conferences. While I do have two very distinctly different kids that challege their teachers differently--they are both learning and moving on up. Zoey of course challenges her teachers much more often than Isaac, but we are working on it.

Haven't seen much of the husband lately. He works long hours and I am not home much in the evening with hockey and work. It is the middle of hunting season so he really isn't sleeping much either. Last weekend he got up at 5am to go hunting with Shayne in the mountains got back at midnight. The next day got up at 4am to go hunting with Jason and didn't get back till late and then back to work on Sunday. Of course this week he has training in Denver so he will leave tomorrow, get back Wednesday and then back down to Casper for a meeting--possibly followed by more hunting. However, somehow he did manage to squeeze in some time for pictures in Rapid--he is a good man!!!!

Now on to holidays, family stuff and birthdays. We don't slow down much here for anything! Wouldn't have it any other way:)

And just a quick heads up--School pictures turned out great this year. I'll send them out later.

Boys are beyond the range of anyone's sure understanding, at least when they are between the ages of 18 months and 90 years. ~James Thurber

2011-10-21T12:10:00.003-06:00

Our days are finally finding more routine, which is very comforting to me. It has been great to see the kids try new things and enjoy them. We have many late nights with Zoey playing hockey on Mondays and Thursdays and I moved my evening clients to Tuesdays. She is so elated with this hockey. Ike plays basketball on Saturdays with this Saturday being the first game day.

Last weekend was eventful to say the least as my oldest child and youngest baby boy turned 9!! He has been telling everyone he is 9 weeks before his birthday, cuz it was close enough. He opted for a sleep over and apparently I just kept filling out invites without fully realizing that he invited 7 of his closest friends. That is a lot of 9 year olds in my house at one time! We decided to have the sleepover on Saturday the 15th and I really don't think that Isaac could have packed any more activity into that day if he had tried! He got up early and went duck hunting with Chris and our friend Justin. He came home, changed his clothes and went to basketball practice. When he got home it was time to turn 9. I spent my time cleaning the house, ordering pizza and picking up his m&m DQ cake and working the last rugby game of the season. Just barely making it home in time for the party. We had a pinata, played some games and watched movies. The kids were picked up by 10am the next day. While my kids did not do much, but play with new toys they also did not take a nap either. We ate at the Rootbeer place (A&W) and that was all Ike could handle for the weekend--he was sleeping before 7pm! He hit some new milestones this year. We are in the process of ditching the booster (which gets put back in the car when we have extra kids to take to school) and of course he did not order off the kids menu either when we went out to eat. Of course with all this excitement I totally forgot to make his birthday cupcakes for school on Monday so I was baking (not early, but late) at 8am before school and between clients frosted and brought them in. I felt terrible about forgetting, however, when he came home he told me how good they were. Apparently, better than the ones I made for him last year.

Picture day today. Don't know how that will turn out. But tonight is veg night and I can't wait!

I say, if your knees aren't green by the end of the day, you ought to seriously re-examine your life. ~Bill Watterson, Calvin & Hobbes

2011-10-02T15:27:00.004-06:00

This weekend has been just as busy as any other, but keeping me on my toes none the less.

I attended my first Ring Wars Mixed Martial Arts fight on Friday and totally lived through the whole thing as I was nervous to go. I took Zoey to watch hockey. It was the Gillette Wild Junior National Teams Opening game. Ike came too and we all had a great time.

I don't know that anything is ready to slow down yet. This weekend also included Zoey's soccer game, Isaac's last football game of the season and rugby (but that was cancelled due to communication conflict). Tuesday marks the end of the fall season with Zoey's last soccer game at 5:30 and Isaac's football banquet at 6. He then promptly starts basketball on Saturday and Zoey with Hockey the following Monday. However, each of these sports has set days and I think that will be easier to work with than the random times for soccer and football.

I took the kids in last week to get their glasses adjusted and the lady cracked Zoey's frames. She ordered new ones and they came in wrong. Zoey looks cute in these pink glasses with black letters on the side, but she wants her old ones back.

Chris went hunting. I don't much like when he is gone, but they had a good time in Pinedale. Weather was good, but everything would have been better if they had a shot a getting an elk. Maybe next year.

So just for good measure it has been in the upper 80's-low 90's the last couple of days. So nice really, just strange. But our tomatoes have not ripened yet so I am hoping this blast of heat will help.

If the light in your life has changed to yellow, I recommend you floor it. It's safer than the alternative. ~Jeb Dickerson, www.howtomatter.com

2011-09-11T16:39:00.002-06:00

Well we found one weekend to camp this summer. We went to Cook Lake with LeaAnn and her boys. Just swim, fish, run repeat. I did try to get in some biking and hiking, but the kids complained the whole time cuz they wanted to swim and fish more. It rained the first night we were there giving us an early bedtime. Probably not such a bad thing.

The following week my Mom came to visit for a few days. She was able to take in a soccer game and some football practice while she was here. The rest of the Labor Day Weekend we spent with friends, and even worked. Monday I spent the whole day with my kids and no plans. They slept in, played video games and it was so nice out that we took the camera to Camplex Park, took pictures, played and made a scrapbook.

We have been into school for two weeks now and the kids really like their teachers this year. I have already signed them up for sports next season. Ike wants to try basketball this year. It should be good as they only play on Saturdays and one day a week is good for me:) Zoey is going to try hockey for the first time. With the Junior USA Hockey now in Gillette she should be in good hands. They have to do a certain amount of community service for the team so they will be teaching learn to skate and working with Zoey's hockey team. Isaac has also found some school events he wants to participate in so I will be dropping him off early three days a week.

Thursdays bring long days for me, I worked till 10pm. I worked at the rec center on Friday and ended the day with a fish fry at our friends house. We had a great time and even had some s'mores. Of course this year I was introduced (by teenagers) the art of roasting starburst. Its not bad, but you don't want to over heat them cuz then they get kinda drippy. Saturday I coached Zoey's soccer game. We didn't do so good. Its pretty much all or nothing with the girls. They are either all on defense or offence, but never quite spread out or on our side of the field. But we will work on it. After that I went to Isaac's football game. He played special teams. Our record isn't great, but I think we have one win on our side. After that I spent the rest of the morning/afternoon at the USA Power Lifting competition. I just helped out with paperwork for this event, but it was awesome to see what these people could do. There was a lady there competing because she was over 50 and it was on her bucket list to compete. I always find it inspiring to see people who just want to get it done and have no excuses. Kinda like the MS bikeathon. Those people ride 80 miles the first day and 70 the second and while the ride is beautiful the weather in August tends to be really hot and windy. I think--oh that's tough! but if MS doesn't down them down, then I should be able to do anything!

Ah, summer, what power you have to make us suffer and like it. ~Russel Baker

2011-08-18T15:32:00.002-06:00

I so do not want the summer to end. It has gone by so stinkin fast and I want more. But I have to say that I did not waste my summer away--it has been wonderful:)

Last saturday Isaac had his first fooball camp. It was held at the high school practice field and the high school kids had several stations to work on different skills. First Game Saturday the 20th.

Tuesday was Chris's 36th birthday. I asked the kids what they thought we should do for their Dad's birthday. They were set on having a surprise party. I thought it would be fun, but wasn't real sure how to put it together. It would help if he had a regular schedule, but then again Chris and I don't really believe in being regualr. My thought was this: Invite his friends over for supper and whatnot, make sure Chris took Ike to football practice and we would decorate while he was gone. I totally knew better so I told everyone it was a psuedo surprise party. And here's what actually happened. The kids both wanted to help decorate so we decorated early. I was hoping that Chris would get home late since he worked in Sheridan, but he was home by four. The kids hid and jumped out and yelled surprise when he came home. He opened his prensents from us asked if anyone was coming over and Ike replies "Of course! Lots of people." So I send Ike and Chris to football while people arrive here. But our friends didn't want to be left out of the surprise so they yelled surprise also when Chris got back the second time. Note for next time: Don't tell the kids. Apparently, Isaac had a whole conversation that I didn't know about with Chris the night before, because he was just too excited to keep it all a surprise. AND when you live directly behind the boxelder business center--use their parking so that the person being surprised doen't have to drive down the block to find a parking space to get to his own home.

I have been having fun hanging out with the kids. We went swimming yesterday. We had Zoey's first soccer practice. I am now officially the coach and am praying the parents will help me out. Now that it has started I have to admidt that I am much more excited to be coaching, but we will see how it goes. This year we will have refs and goalies--but the girls are not worried as they have all played before and each told me "They already now all about soccer and how to play it." We will be cardinal red this year. Zoey got all new gear this season. Isaac did not tell me that his cleats were tight last spring when he played baseball, but his foot didn't even fit into the shoe for football!! He grew 2 sizes and the lady at the store looked at me like I was crazy asking for a size 5 or 5 1/2 for my second grader. What can I say--he apparently had a growth spurt.

So practice tonight. Chris had to drive to Casper on his day off so he is not here. Working tomorrow. Isaac's first football game is on Saturday with team pictures at 8 am. After the game I will be off to Sundance for the Bike MS event they hold every year. I have volunteered to provide massage to the bikers again this year. That reminds me--I so totally wanted to go to Sturgis this year. I was all geared up--but the week went by before I knew what happened and another year missed. May be next year.

I try to take one day at a time, but sometimes several days attack me at once. ~Jennifer Yane

2011-08-04T15:08:00.003-06:00

Haven't blogged in a while cuz I haven't had the time. Crazy Hectic is all I have to say. The kids were coming to work with me for a while. A lot of kids swapping which was fun. A huge thank you to the village that it takes to raise your kids! My village is amazing! I finally got Ike and Zoey signed up for kids camp. Which of course is a whole ordeal in itself. Isaac has hated kids camp for three years and Zoey not only has begged me to go for three years, but now that she is old enough to go she thought I was being mean to her not letting her go this summer. So still my kids have been swimming, bowling, playing dodge ball and kickball, making crafts, going to ice cream land and then coming home and playing in the sprinkler, going for walks with Twister and just running to no end.

Zoey has been signed up for soccer and of course they can't find a coach and the rec center has asked me to do it. I have NOT said yes yet, but I guess we will see. Isaac started football this week. Parent meeting and equipment pick up last night. So many things--at his physical the doc asked if we were considering getting him contacts which will make things for sports easier--he's only 8! But his stats are Hight: 4 feet 7 and 3/4 inches tall Weight: 76 pounds. Then, of course, I have never attended a football game as a parent and you mix that with the fact that all of the football games I have been to in the last 15 years I have worked them. So I did let the coach know that I am an athletic trainer, but I don't think he knows what that is as his response was "a lot of the parents have some first aid training through work." He has practices two to three times a week plus a game every week until the end of September. But he gets to go to football camp with the high school kids and a walk out night at one of the home high school football games. Isaac keeps telling Zoey she needs to wear his pads so that he can practice his tackling on her and that way it won't hurt of course. While waiting for the equipment the kids were playing and rough housing as football players should and of course Zoey was in the mix getting tackled by all the boys and when we get home she asks if she can play football too. She is going to be one tough cookie, but she sure is not afraid to hang out with the boys!!!

Work has been busy--super great! We are still trying to cram in a couple weekends of camping before school starts on the 29th. Chris's birthday is in there somewhere and as soon as I get a couple of more scheduling items straightened out I will let you know when I am coming back to MN for a quick trip. I think I am missing the reunion this weekend which really sucks, but may be I can come back for Stacey's wedding or something--who knows--you know me it will be last minute and a whirl wind and we will all just keep our fingers crossed that all works out as best it can.

While we try to teach our children all about life, our children teach us what life is all about.~Angela Schwindt

2011-07-24T10:09:00.010-06:00

It's a good idea to begin at the bottom in everything except in learning to swim. ~Author Unknown

2011-07-23T16:42:00.009-06:00

Live in the sunshine, swim the sea, drink the wild air. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

2011-07-23T16:20:00.003-06:00

This summer almost seemed to get a slow start. However, now I can't seem to slow it down enough!! We spent a full two weeks in Minnesota. It was so good to see everyone and get together and fish, and boat and swim and jump on the trampoline and of course eat. Perhaps I should have done more jumping on the trampoline than eating--but it was a good time and I thank everyone who put up with us while we were on our trip.

Now that we are back, I am still kinda trying to get back into the groove. Unfortunately, I have lost focus (again) and can't always easily decide which groove I am supposed to be in. I finally worked out yesterday--first time in three weeks!!!! May be that will kick my butt. That is not counting of course taking Twister on her walks. It has been so long since she has been out of the yard and on her leash, that it is insane to go with her. Make sure you have the right shoes on cuz jogging WILL be involved. School supply lists are already out in the stores for my third grader and first grader. Sign ups are going on for Zoey's soccer and Ike registered for football last spring. He needs to get his physical done and equipment pick up is next week.

My friend had her second beautiful baby last night (Aubrey Grace) and so we were able to babysit her toddler last night. Having Ava over was fun and my kids totally take care of her making sure she has everything she needs.

Zoey has been a bit sick lately with a fever. On the good side, it makes her sleep good--and long. On the down side--yesterday it was 102.8 and even though its way down now she hasn't totally kicked it yet. I haven't had to give her any medicine today, but boy is she mad at us for making her take it easy and rest and get better. Crazy girl.

No man needs a vacation so much as the person who has just had one. ~Elbert Hubbard

2011-07-09T20:59:00.003-06:00

The first segment of our trip has already passed (actually I already blogged about it but my computer lost it:()

We left Wyoming last Thursday with Zoey and Twister. Twister got a little nervous and threw up in the car shortly after we left. But that was the only hitch on our way here. We headed up north on Saturday and everyone had a blast! There was never a shortage of things to do. It was so fun to watch the kids tube, swim, fish, get minos, take off their fish and even put their own minos on!! We were sun toasted the very first day. I use sunscreen, but always forget to reapply and regret it later. So I was pretty red and then a mosquito bit my eye so that was swollen and purple for a few days. Because my eye was so swollen, I had one eye lid that tanned and one that did not. Fishing was good, but I didn't get a good keeper until the last night. Isaac even learned to drive the boat. He was SO EXCITED. My kids are exhausted but are having the time of their life! All of the cousins were there except for one. 2 one year olds, 1 four year old, 1 six year old, 2 eight year olds and a 10 year old. Hopefully this is the stuff they will talk about when they are my age and say "Remember when..."

Isaac got croup the Sunday before we came to Minnesota. We hoped it would pass before we left, but of course it got worse. We put him on steroids again and a prescription allergy med. He seems to be doing OK, but has a lot of coughing. He gets so sick of Chris and I always asking him about his breathing. But with so much going on all time, like full afternoons of swimming its hard to tell if he is just tired, if he just hasn't been swimming that much recently or if we need to get him to the hospital. Poor kid!

We have some more visiting to do yet

Don't forget to swing hard, in case you hit the ball. ~Woodie Held

2011-06-16T21:15:00.003-06:00

And we are at it again:) Last week the kids went to a free summer program and made new friends. Isaac had four baseball games. This week Isaac started Enrichment. He is taking Books and Cooks, Team Sports (a week of football and a week of basketball), design build and sculpt, and my 5 sences. He has been riding the bus (just because he likes to). Chris thinks its strange that Isaac and Zoey spend the day only a few blocks apart from eachother and Isaac takes the bus and Zoey gets a ride from me. It is strange, but makes everyone happy so we just go with it:) Isaac did miss a day due to throwing up on the bus, however. But he is doing great now. Even played baseball in the rain tonight. It is great to watch him! He still needs to work on his skills, but he is so happy to be out there. Most of the time he is ready for the ball and has his glove up and a smile on his face. Its great--even in the rain:)

Pretty sure our trip to Minnesota can't come fast enough. Dates are still not set in stone, as we are still figuring out how and when to get both vehicles to Minnesota. I'll let you know when I know:)

Put your ear down close to your soul and listen hard. ~Anne Sexton

2011-06-07T20:55:00.002-06:00

What an amazing weekend!! We were finally busy and hot and social. We had a fabulous thunderstorm last night, but other than that the rain has taken a little rest. Friday I worked at the Rec Center, got my hair done, picked up the kids from their last day of school, sent Zoey to a birthday party in a limo and watched Chris play some softball. Saturday we started a little slow, but went to opening day at the baseball fields, watched Isaac play some baseball, then went to Brad's Grandma's Ranch for a shin dig thingy. There was grilled food, horse shoes, kids playing with horses. We took a tour around the ranch and I totally freaked out on the part I considered to be off roading (the guys of course will tell you that there was a road--I apparently was the only one that couldn't see it:)). We had a bon fire, fireworks and just enjoyed the warm nice night. Sunday the kids both slept until 10am and I let them since summer vacation isn't really a vacation for my kids. But it was nice and hot, so the kids spent some time in the sprinkler. Twister was hilarious!!! She would try to drink out of it, attack it, run through it, drag it around the yard and howl at it. Then in the evening we went to Solem's and enjoyed another perfect evening. The wind wasn't even blowing that night, it was so peaceful. The kids were good and spent their time jumping on the trampoline. It was a little strange--Ike got his glasses stepped on so Monday morning we went to Gillette Optometric and had them fixed. I had four personal training clients and a massage client with no daycare. So the kids came with me in the morning and hung out with the neighbor girls in the afternoon. Anyway, as I am coming home after giving a massage, Chris calls and lets me know that Ike's glasses are broken! I said we already went in this morning and had them fixed. He says no--Twister jumped on Isaac and chewed them or something. So we went back again today. Good thing those glasses are still under warranty!!! But we have a plan of action now for a while anyway. We are working on getting through baseball season. Games this week on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. The kids are going to a summer program for the month of June. I do have to say that Gillette does have the best free programs I have ever seen! And there were so many good ones to choose from too. Of course we cannot wait for our Minnesota vacation!!!

If you are seeking creative ideas, go out walking. Angels whisper to a man when he goes for a walk. ~Raymond Inmon

2011-06-03T15:41:00.003-06:00

New post on Sharecare.

"Just living is not enough," said the butterfly, "one must have sunshine, freedom and a little flower." ~Hans Christian Anderson

2011-06-03T15:30:00.002-06:00

So today is the last day of school! I can't believe it. I now have two grade school children in first and third grade. I actually miss the toddlers, which is strange, cuz their messes are usually a little stinkier, messier and gooeyer. Oh well.

So yesterday I was walking the kids to school and got my pic taken. Wasn't ready, so I am sure it is a miserable picture, but it turns out it is for a good cause. Gillette is trying to initiate a walk your kids to school program (along with some other activities since walking them to school NOW seems a little strange). But it is to fight childhood obesity. I was not a good interveiwee either, but I will post a link to the article on Sunday.

Yesterday Zoey had her kindergarden program. They sang nurserary rhym songs and totally cute! But when it was time to leave, Zoey wanted to stay. How crazy it that?

Super glad to report that the rain has taken a break and the sunshine has shown itself for the last couple of days. Its about 60 degrees and the wind is about 40 mph--back to normal:)

Writing comes more easily if you have something to say. ~Sholem Asch

2011-05-30T21:12:00.002-06:00

Happy Memorial Day! It was nice having a day with the kids. It has been raining--if I haven't already mentioned that before, but it let up this morning. We took Twister for a walk. She hasn't been on a week in at least three weeks, so she was more than a little excited to get out of the yard. I made the kids play outside all day and the neighbor girls were over to play.

So if any of you have any ideas how to get my creative juices flowing or have suggestions for my sharecare blog--I would love to hear some ideas. I haven't blogged on sharecare for a while cuz I am not really sure what people would like to know about and my creative writing skills are a little blah blah.......So let me know. Leave a comment:)

If you've lost your enthusiasm, there's no better place to find it than on a skipping excursion. And, you might just find your lost youth as well! ~

2011-05-28T15:14:00.002-06:00

So today I put on a pair of capris, pretending that it is warm out. It is not raining or snowing or sleeting or hailing at the moment and of course we have not had any of those miserable tornadoes. We are under flood warning until Monday night. I am not usually this concerned about weather but we have had snow and rain everyday since Mother's day and even for the moments that it may have stopped raining, we had no sun. Just dark angry cloud cover. So even though it is in the upper 40's (maybe it will reach the 50's today) we are all telling ourselves that it is great, and people are swarming the streets of Gillette like you can't imagine!

Tuesday was Zoey's last scheduled game of the season. Isaac was also supposed to have a baseball game. His got cancelled, but Zoey played through the thunderstorm warning, the rain, the thunder and even the lightening. She did score a goal or two. She took the ball down the field a couple of times and we weren't always sure who kicked it in. We don't keep score at her level anyway, so all is good. Isaac was supposed to have a game on Wednesday and baseball pictures. It wasn't raining at the moment we needed to leave, so I packed everyone up and went to the fields. But the fields were still under water, so we still couldn't play or have pictures taken. I let the kids play at the park for a while. It did feel good to get outside! But even one of the roads at the fishing lake was underwater. Thursday I worked from 9am to 9pm and Chris had spent the day in Casper for work. I picked up the kids and brought them to the office to watch movies and Chris came to pick them up when he got back to town. Zoey was supposed to have a make up game that day for soccer, but right as her game was to start it totally down poured! and they got rained out.

Friday was a fun day. I saw one client at the Rec Center and then spent the rest of the day with the kids! Chris and I chaperoned Isaac's field trip to the Adventurarium ( just like the Science Museum on a much smaller scale). Isaac was so excited to have us there. One of Isaac's classes this year was computer technology and each child made a slide show of the seasons, so I went to view that with him. I will have to see if I can get that loaded to blogger. After the viewing was field day. Of course my two kids had field day at exactly the same time! Other parents had told me that they had one child participate in the morning and one in the afternoon. Now that would have been easier. It was Zoey's first field day. I didn't see her do the sack race, but Chris took a pic with his phone, meanwhile I was videoing Isaac racing with a ball between his knees. Keep in mind for these races it has been raining for three weeks. Not only were they racing through big mud puddles and wet grass. The spongy balls they were using were wet and muddy and left Brown, wet marks on their pants and knees. A couple kids slid on the mud getting dirty from head to toe. Chris and I switched kids and I watched Zoey do tug of war. As we approached the tug of war field we all started to get wet with big drops of rain that didn't quite feel right. Then some of the parents noticed it was hail. It only lasted a few seconds and some thought it was just large sleet. It passed and the kids did boys against girls--the girls won! So next they did kindergarten against adults and the kindergarten won!! Zoey was on a winning streak. It was a fun day.

So here we are at the holiday weekend. We had no plans, cuz we weren't sure of the weather. We got the garden replanted and fenced. Chris is doing yard work and I planted some flowers. I took a walk too since I could:) It pretty cloudy, but we have plans to grill some chicken for supper. Chris will have his regular schedule this week. The kids on the other hand have no school on Monday. Zoey has a program on Thursday and a half day of school on Friday for both of them. That of course will mark the end of my 2nd grader and kindergartner and on to 3rd and 1st. It really does seem strange.

If a tie is like kissing your sister, losing is like kissing your grandmother with her teeth out. ~George Brett, 1986

2011-05-24T13:48:00.002-06:00

Just a quicky note to say HI! It has been raining here for about 2 weeks straight. We finally got Isaac on a baseball team, but the one practice that was scheduled got rained out. We have been so excited as Sunday it did not rain. Not all that sunny, but it was dry. Yesterday, was warm, dry and in the afternoon the sun even peeked out for a minute. At the moment it is not raining, but Zoey has a soccer game at 5:30 and Isaac has a baseball game at 6. What does the forecast say--thunderstorms with hail. The clouds are dark. So we will see what happens. Some sunshine (for a whole day or more) would really feel good right about now!

The kids only have about 8 days of school left! They remind me everyday. I can't believe how fast this year went! My baby will soon be a first grader--craziness.

Map out your future, but do it in pencil. ~Jon Bon Jovi

2011-05-20T16:05:00.003-06:00

I so totally cannot believe that the kids only have a few days of school left!! What are we going to do? This just can't be happening quite yet. I did ask the kids what we are going to do. Isaac says we are going to stay home so that he can catch up on his sleep, cuz he has lots of sleep to catch up on! I told him if he just goes to bed earlier, he would have plenty of time to sleep, but it didn't go over very well. I still have so many things to work out--no focus just yet!

Isaac just headed out to his first baseball practice. It quit raining about an hour ago. The one place in the nation where it rains two weeks a year (once in the spring and once in the fall) is having flood warnings!! Zoey has had three of six scheduled games. One played with flurries in the air and one we got drenched in the rain by the end of the game. Of course one was fabulous weather for soccer. Chris's first softball games were cancelled also. So my spring insanity has been quite a let down.

Isaac was recommended for the enrichment program again, so he has registered for two weeks of summer classes. He loves it so much. Never seen so much enthusiasm in him as with this program. So two weeks of that and a week up north fishing. Unfortunately, that is about half the summer right there. I guess we'll have to see how these gas prices fair--I would love to just hang out in MN this summer too.

Well either way, I hope this post finds you all well as tomorrow has been predicted to be the end of the world. Wasn't sure why it was such a big deal so I looked it up. Apparently this guy has predicted the end of the world before in 1994 and when he was wrong he just said that the bible is complex (hello and it also says no one knows but anyway). Not only does this guy think that he can predict the end of the world, but I found it very interesting that he says it will happen at 6:30pm in each time zone. I don't remember where its going to start, but I suppose technically you could travel and squeeze in a couple of more hours. Sometimes the things we worry about aren't really worth the effort. On my last day (if its tomorrow) I will be attending a soccer game and a birthday party--it will be a good day:) Honestly I am more excited to find out about the Mayan calander and if will start over after 2012.

I am woman! I am invincible! I am pooped! ~Author Unknown

2011-05-15T18:47:00.003-06:00

Kinda strange that I really don't remember much what happened last week. Pretty uneventful, if I do say so myself. Ike did get his glasses tho and that seems to be going well. He was pretty excited to get them. Zoey was supposed to have soccer practice on Tuesday, but even though the snow stopped by the evening, it was still rescheduled for Wednesday. As we got in the car Wednesday to go, it started sprinkling. Her practice was dry, but chilly and windy!! Kids did not seem to mind a bit, however, we were the ONLY ones there. Her coach said that we are the only family that ever contacts her or responds to her texts. So strange--I paid for her to play and learn to play some soccer so I am going to send her. The wind won't blow her away ( depending on the day, anyway)just make her stronger. She had a game on Saturday at 8am. Kinda early for this fam to be out of the house and out of jammies. We made it on time and I even stopped for some hot spiced chi. It was not warm out and we had flurries of snow flying through the air.

Chris took Isaac to the mule deer banquet last night. Isaac won a tee shirt and got a free hat. No one we knew won a gun this year, but they had a good time.

The rec center will be closed for maintenance for a whole week. I am going to try to provide personal training out of my office during that time. The kids and I went in today to rearrange and clean the office. Should be interesting as my office is pretty small, but I have Internet there now and have totally revamped my website. I finally decided to go with the same company that does my business cards--so now everything matches which is kinda nice. Check it out www.jarasoost.com. If you have any ideas on how to make it better, I am always open to suggestions.

Apparently I was ready to cook today. We had blueberry pancakes with little sizzlers for breakfast. Lasagna and garlic bread for supper with a fresh baked rhubarb pie for dessert. Kids weren't hungry for lunch at all so just sammies then. But we have leftovers. Wanna come eat?!? Your invited:)

Just waiting to see what this week brings. We had sun and wind today. I think sun tomorrow. Thunderstorms on Tuesday, which is not only supposed to be Zoey's soccer day, but RESCHEDULED team pictures. Isaac's registration got overlooked for baseball, so may be he can start that this week. I hope. And of course with me being at my office more than usual this week--may be I'll irritate my neighbors a little too. They don't like me, so in return I kinda don't like them. Its hard to like people who ask you to move out specifically so that they can have your office.

Before I was a MOM

2011-05-08T12:32:00.002-06:00

"I never tripped over toys, or forgot words to a lullaby. I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous. I never thought about immunizations. Before I was a mom, I had never been puked on. Pooped on. Chewed on. Peed on. I had complete control of my mind and my thoughts. I slept all night. Before I was a mom I never held down a screaming child so doctors could do tests. Or give shots. I never looked into teary eyes and cried. I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin. I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep (or my 7 year old). Before I was a mom I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put her down. I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't stop the hurt. I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much. I never knew I would love being a mom. Before I was a mom, I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body. I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby. I didn't know that bond between a mother and her child. I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so important and happy. Before I was a mom, I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every ten minutes to make sure all was ok. I had never known the warmth, the joy, the love, the heartache, the wonderment or the satifaction of being a mom. I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much, before I was a MOM."

I am sure most you have read that before, but I kinda like it. Happy Mother's Day to all I the FABULOUS Mom's I know.

PS. We did get the garden planted yesterday. And so far Twister has only eaten one of the plants! Gonna be a long summer!

Don't knock the weather; nine-tenths of the people couldn't start a conversation if it didn't change once in a while. ~Kin Hubbard

2011-05-07T17:23:00.003-06:00

Well, I'll tell you what happened with all those pictures--cuz there are more of them actually. I was taking pictures with my camera. Chris had gotten it for me as a birthday gift right after Zoey was born. I would just download them right to the computer and upload to blogger. After several years of doing this my computer has slowed way down (such a pain) and I don't like to hang out where our computer is now. About 2 years ago I got a blackberry and it not only is super convienent to take pics with that (not necesarily better pics) that I ended up with a phone full of pictures and really not sure what to do with them. Plugging my phone into anything freaks me out. So all the ones I take from my phone are on fb and the ones I take with my camera usually end up on blogspot. With my new computer I attempted to plug in my phone to see if I could get internet that way ( I can't) but I tried and that was when I ended up taking the pics from my phone and putting them on my new computer. Which I am not really sure I want to do on a regular basis, but now I can do something with them anyway( post them, share them, order a cd) and possibly erase now 3 years of pics from my phone and clean it out!

Zoey finally had her first soccer game. It was a little willy nilly, but the weather was perfect, sunny and not windy! A tough combo to find these days.

Isaac finally made it to the eye doctor! I wanted him to have a regular check up for good measure, but lollygagged until we noticed that he consistantly sits about 2 inches from the TV and can't read the clock until he is about the same distance way. He never complains or says anything and nothing from school. We took him in and the doc says that he won't want to take these off once he gets them. Apparently he has been compensating for so long that his eye muscles have even started to weaken, which of course will correct itself once he gets his glasses. Honestly, I think Isaac will be surprized at how much things will change! If I had known he couldn't see anything I would have taken him in sooner--not sure if my kids could be any more different!! Zoey begs for glasses she barely needs and Ike doesn't say a thing even though he is having trouble.

Well we picked out some veggies for the garden--hopfully we will get it planted this weekend.

Give thanks for what you are now, and keep fighting for what you want to be tomorrow. ~Fernanda Miramontes-Landeros

2011-05-02T12:58:00.002-06:00

Random old and new pictures

2011-05-02T12:30:00.019-06:00

Here are some old and new pics of us. They were taken with my phone so I don't know their quality and most were probably posted on Facebook so you may have seen them already.

2011-05-01T21:56:00.003-06:00

I have been answering more questions on Sharecare. Visit http://www.sharecare.com/ and ask your questions. www.sharecare.com/user/jara-soost/answers

Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal. ~Henry Ford

2011-05-01T21:16:00.002-06:00

Not to sure what to blog about so all I have to say is "Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow." Not so much that I really want it to snow that much right now, but it has been snowing often. It has been beautiful, got about 2+ inches the other day, and it seems to be getting in the way of cleaning up the yard, keeping my puppy clean, and Zoey playing soccer. So far she has had three scheduled games, but all have been cancelled due to snow and 30mph winds.

As I type this I had turned the TV to watch some CSI Miami and have come to find out that Osama Bin Laden has been killed. There is some interesting news. As for world news--Did you watch the Royal Wedding? It was so odd--I was not planning to watch it. Figured that whatever pics or may be even video I saw would be more than enough. However, I didn't realize that they got married on a Thursday so I totally felt as though I missed the whole thing. I'm a nut--I know. I did look at the pictures though and I was really impressed. To me it looked very impressive, romantic, but it didn't seem as overdone as I had anticipated it. Who knows may be Princess Kate will someday make a good Queen.

As for my local house news--my kids have been spending a lot of time on the internet. Isaac gets to use the PS3 and we found a website called www.coolmath4kids.com. It has so much for him to do from math facts to mazes to even learning his states. Now Ike is kinda a PS3 HOG so I let Zoey work on my new laptop and she really enjoys www.starfall.com it helps her with reading, spelling, sounds and that kind of stuff. Very helpful and she could sit at that site forever too. Checkem out if you need your kids quiet for a minute:) Assuming they are not going to fight over it (like mine have done).

Call on God, but row away from the rocks.~Indian Proverb

Youth would be an ideal state if it came a little later in life. ~Herbert Asquith

2011-04-26T19:43:00.003-06:00

Well this should help my blogging!! My fabulous husband just bought me a computer for my birthday!! A laptop actually so that I can be mobile, visual (with skype) and accessible more often. I just had my first skype experience!! And as Zoey put it--"It was amazing."

We were back to the grind today. No more days off, relaxing, enjoying the sunshine. Today was wet, muddy and snowy. I told the kids to play with Twister before school today. I figure she should run some before we stick her in the kennel. It was just starting to sprinkle and I thought that was fine until I loaded the kids in the car. They were muddy and not just shoes, but their clothes too from Twister jumping on them. Isaac tried to get the mud off his shoes with his hands so I sent him back in to wash his hands. He forgot to take off his shoes and I now have mud on my carpet too. I had a busy morning with errands, a Sharecare meeting and massage clients in the afternoon.

Yesterday I turned 35. We had a pretty relaxed day. The weather was nice and sunny. I only saw one client and not until 11 am and for the most part my kids didn't fight (which is exactly what I asked for my birthday!) When Chris got home from we went to the Great Wall for supper. Unfortunately Chris and I ended the evening by watching The Other Guys. I hadn't been interested in the movie until I saw that the Rock was in it--but even he didn't make losing that amount of time worth it. But it was a good day!

Let the resurrection joy lift us from loneliness and weakness and despair to strength and beauty and happiness. ~Floyd W. Tomkins

2011-04-25T13:28:00.005-06:00

I have to be honest. I seriously thought about going to Minnesota for Easter. The kids had five days off of school. But I wienied out--the thought of gas prices, traveling and possibly bringing Twister.

For this reason my massage schedule was a little unusual. Wednesday night I realized that I had been invited to watch a knee surgery, but had blown it off, cuz I wasn't sure if I was going to be here or not. I tried to call the surgery center and the clinic, but it was already after hours by the time I had this brilliant idea. So I decided to get there early cuz the worst that could happen, is that I would piss off the doc and get sent home. Of course the doctor I work for happens to be pretty laid back and easy going. So as it turns out I not only watched my client's surgery, but I watched a total of three surgeries before 9am. Super exciting! Plus on top of that the doc has been happy with my work and was giving complements that day. After my client was out of recovery, he requested that I do his rehab. I haven't worked with any post surgical patients since I moved back to Gillette, so I cleared it with the doctor first. I finished off Thursday giving three massages and was home by 8:30pm. It had been a good day.

Saturday we went for a drive. I was glad the weather cleared up. I don't check the weather anymore cuz I already know that it is either going to be sunny, rainy or snowy and all in the same day for another couple weeks at least. But Saturday was nice. We were mailed a flat Stanly. So we took flat Stanly around Wyoming and Gillette to send pics back to MN so that my nephew's second grade class can learn about Wyoming. When we got back Chris cooked supper, we had Eric over and of course colored some Easter eggs.

Sunday morning came fast and very early. We knew that if Chris wanted to watch the kids find the eggs we would have to be up early. As it turned out Chris had to go to Sheridan for work that day and had to leave by 6:30am. So eggs were all found before then. We made it to son rise service nearly on time and stayed for the pancake breakfast. Just in case you interested (cuz the Pastor really is) my birthday will actually fall on Easter Sunday at some point in time. Not until 2038 and April 25 is the lastest day of the year that Easter can possibly fall on. I guess it will be my 62nd birthday. My kids weren't fighting too much so we stayed for the Easter church service as well. This is the first time EVER I can remember that I have had communion twice in one morning! We came home and the kids played great for the afternoon, but then Ike didn't feel well. Had a headache and tummy ache. He didn't eat supper and was in bed for the night by 7pm!!!

So today I made some Pillsbury Cinnamon rolls for breakfast. Just hanging with my kiddos today. I did go into work for my rehab client. But even the Rec Center's Kids Zone was closed for the day--so no massages or personal training. Just enjoying:)

Anybody who doesn't know what soap tastes like never washed a dog. ~Franklin P. Jones

2011-04-19T13:00:00.002-06:00

Spring is not my favorite season. Mud, dirt, crazy weather. Wondering if Zoey is ever going to have an actual soccer game this spring. Her first on was cancelled because it was snowing and raining at the same time. Today it is snowing with 20-30mph winds. May be it will stop before her game, but I am not holding my breath.

Twister is starting to learn some. I think. She doesn't always let us know when she needs to go out but is starting to sit next to the door every once in a while. At which point she gets kicked right out regardless if she needed to or wanted to. Have to say I am a little sad. When we brought her home she had one brown eye and one gray eye. I was hoping the gray eye would turn more blue as she got older. Not the case, it is tuning brown just like the other.

Parenthood: That state of being better chaperoned than you were before marriage. ~Marcelene Cox

2011-04-17T20:37:00.002-06:00

Just for good measure and because I miss blogging--I'm doin' it twice. After soccer practice the kids brought Twister over to the neighbor's house to meet their dog Griz. I went over to supervise the kids and help Kellie paint her living room. It turned out to be a fun afternoon. When I came back Chris had made a batch of chili and we watched the latest Harry Potter movie, which I thought was great. Haven't read any of the books yet. We made it to Palm Sunday for church today, but we were later than normal. On the way home we were having a discussion about where they get the palms from. Isaac randomly tells me that the rain forest gets 10 inches of rain a year. I say "How do you know that?" He says, "I was reading informational non-fiction." He says, "Yeah and koala bears only get out of their tree once a week. That was the same genera." I just love when he uses big words! I did all of the cleaning that I totally put off yesterday. Then we were invited to join Justin, Shawna and Ava at the movie theater to watch RIO. While I really dislike taking kids to the theater, since the price totally doesn't make it worth it--I will say that it was a funny movie and my kids did have a good time. Now I am back at the old computer, blogging and sharecareing and emailing and may be a little facebooking and what not pretty much for the rest of the night. But I am so good at putting off what could be done tomorrow!

April prepares her green traffic light and the world thinks Go. ~Christopher Morley, John Mistletoe

2011-04-17T19:41:00.002-06:00

Once again it has been longer than I thought since my last post and I do apologize. Not even sure where to start cuz I can't remember what we did during the month of March. May be that is why I didn't blog. The kids went to the dentist and had no cavities AND no green stuff on their teeth! But of course they still want to put Isaac in braces so who knows, we'll see. St. Patrick's Day just happens to be one of the most anticipated events of the year for Zoey. Don't know why exactly, but in her eyes its like Christmas. Which is a little strange cuz she doesn't really get anything and she hates green milk and cabbage. But when I was in Elementary school the Leprechauns were pulling schanannigans (ya I have no idea how to spell that). So often times they visit here and switch things up and are just plain silly for a day. At the end of March we FINALLY got a new addition to our family. A beautiful baby girl. Puppy. Her name is Twister Rain Soost. She was about 8 1/2 weeks old when we got her and she is about 11 weeks old now and weighs in at about 19 lbs. She is half Siberian Husky and half Australian Shepard so she's going to be bigger than what we were originally looking for, but she is beautiful!! Its exactly like having another kid. She finds all the lost color crayons and toys on the floor and I have been cleaning up poop, pee and puke ever since. The first night we had her I took her out to potty at midnight, Ike got up not feeling great, pottied the pup at three am and then was up with Zoey cuz Twister's crying woke her up. A lot of work, but very fun to have her around. You should have seen the look on Ike's face the first time I told him to clean up after Twister. It was like he didn't realize they did that! The first week of April, I went to Cheyenne for some continuing education. It was GOOD to get out of my little bubble for a while, plus I got to learn from one of the NFL strength and conditioning coaches that also worked at Anoka High School. The day I was there (April 5th) Zoey was at school and lost her very first baby tooth. This was good thing, I think. As she had been talking forever about getting the treasure chest from the nurse's office to put her tooth in and this way she got it. Now, it came out during class not during lunch and I heard a couple different versions of the story so I am pretty sure she planned it this way as best she could. She was so excited to loose her first tooth! We have been waiting since Isaac lost his first tooth! Last week the circus came to town. Shawna had an extra ticket so we decided to tag along. I think it was the first for my kids and I ended up buying another ticket in case Chris got off early enough to come with us. I was just as excited to bring him to his first circus as I was for the kids. However, that was the same day I brought Twister to the vet for her first shots. We waited 40 minutes for our appointment. She took the shot fine, but refused to eat the wormer even though the pills were wrapped in some yummy dog stuff, so the vet just shoved it down her throat. I still had to stop at the bank. The ATM is inside the door and not drive though so I left Twister in my car for a minute and when I came back she had puked all over my car and those little pills were still left over so I put them in her dog dish and as far as I know they eventually got eaten! But when I made it home I announced to Chris he was going to have to drive. My car just wasn't going to cut it. The circus was fun. I let the kids have snow cones and cotton candy. We watched the lion tamers, the elephants, the jugglers, all different kinds of acrobats and they closed with 5 motorcycles riding around in a metal cage. I (and all of Gillette) automatically thought of the Simpson's (cuz we watched Homer do it first). Ya--we don't get out much. But it was fun and we all had a good time. I was so excited for Chris to go to his first circus ever and asked how he liked it--he was disappointed that it wasn't in a tent. They held it at the Camplex. Crazy man anyway! I was super hoping to make it to Minnesota for Easter, but it looks like we are just going to stay here this time. But I have thought about checking the calendar to see when the kids have the next days off which would be for Memorial Day. We get out of school like on the second of June or something like that. Soccer season has started. We have made it to most of the practices but games have been cancelled due to weather. Isaac will be in baseball again and practices will be starting soon as will be Chris's softball. So my evenings are being spoken for and of course Saturday morning soccer practice.

Winter is the season in which people try to keep the house as warm as it was in the summer, when they complained about the heat. ~Author Unknown

2011-02-11T14:42:00.002-07:00

I just looked at how many posts I have done over the years and I didn't post even half as much as I did the first year. Crazy. Actually, somehow, I had more time then. I had like a two hour lunch break everyday with nothing specific to do, so I blogged to ya all. Now I have to use my own computer and sometimes we don't always get along so well. So I try to avoid it. Interestingly enough after that being said, I am waiting for my online meeting to start. I guess I had better make up and be friends with my computer since I decided to take an online job.

No new news to report however, just busy, busy with everyday stuff. Something going on almost every day or night here for about 10 days. I still need to get a sitter for Tuesday, but I think between, work, darts, family it will all be great. Still working about 3 evenings a week and I am packed with 4 massages tomorrow before going to a friends house for game night.

Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk by the fire: it is the time for home.~Edith Sitwell

The family.

2011-01-25T13:08:00.002-07:00

We are a strange little band of characters trudging through life sharing diseases and toothpaste, coveting one another's desserts, hiding shampoo, borrowing money, locking eachother out of our rooms, inflicting pain and kissing to heal it in the same instant, loving, laughing, defending, and trying to figure out the common thread that bound us all together~ Erma Bombeck

We are not sick, but not healthy either. Zoey got her glasses and seems to be doing well with them. They are not broke yet anyway! I am working 3 nights a week for the time being instead of just one like I promised my husband. But I am still exctied about this sharecare thing. Online virtual training will be available for purchase in feb. but if you have any questions or just want to see how it works send me your email and you get a two week free trial. Well, that's all I have for now.

If I'd known I was going to live so long, I'd have taken better care of myself. ~Leon Eldred

2011-01-11T12:47:00.003-07:00

So I attempted to add a sharecare widget to this blog. Right now I think it looks kinda funny or not right anyway. But it does work. Questions are answered and show on this link. Then if you need any health question answered just click on the small white box under Ask your Question and a qualified health care profesional will answer your question.

Yesterday one of my clients says "So I hear you are working with Dr. Oz." To which I said "Yes, I am." It was kinda awesome.

Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. ~Benjamin Franklin

2011-01-09T13:20:00.003-07:00

December was busy! But great! We drove to Minnesota with mostly clear roads for Christmas. It seemed that this year was going to feel much different than Christmases in the past with so many family changes, but we had such a good time at all of the Christmas events we went to. I was so excited to see my cousins and hang out with family. I even teamed up with Chris's cousin to win second place at the bean bag toss. We should have won. We were ahead, but they had a sloppy shot that got them the win! We got to see all of the crazy Minnesota snow. On the last day we were there we got a visit from Santa Clause and that was fabulous. This year Isaac did not sit on Santa's lap. But when Santa entered and saw Isaac he immediately said "You must be Isaac." Isaac's eyes were big and happy and in a very big firm voice he said "Yes, I am." and then he received his gifts. It was fun. Isaac got his Minnesota cough on that Sunday morning before we left. I gave him his Advair, Ibuprofen, Delsum and a vitamin and called it good. Chris and I got the flu or something cruddy. Zoey just got a regular cold which I think she may have decided to share with me as something is still lingering.

The day we left for Mn I finished all my requirements to become an online health coach with sharecare.com. I am a little frustrated as I am not patient enough to wait for them to give me my online profile, but it will be here shortly. On Monday Dr. Oz kicked off his 11 week move it and loose it program. If you go to his website( www.doctoroz.com ) and click on the program you will get your online profile as well as all the tools you will need to track your progress, eat well and exercise to be your healthiest in 2011. Sharecare is what has been referred to as facebook with a purpose. It is the only online platform of its kind and the biggest promotion of health across America. I am excited to be part of this movement and hope that it helps to keep my family and friends healthy and happy. Plus its pretty cool to work from home and still be an active part of keeping America moving. Please join--its free!! Also in this process I got a new website for my business, its www.myhfpn.com/activespirit its pretty cool, plus it has an online store so I am going to urge everyone to order a foam roller (my newest favorite equipment) for their home.

The kids are back in school. I don't have them in any extra curricular activities right now. I thought a break would be nice, plus I don't always like to go out and about when its cold and snowy. My plan of course has backfired as I am just working more evenings and weekends instead.

Well, hopeful later today I will get some pics up and change out the Christmas music. But who knows--no promises.

Happy New Year to all:)

2010-12-13T22:05:00.002-07:00

Hey you can turn up the music now as I FINALLY changed it from New Moon to some great christmas music (before the season is over)! Sorry it took so long.

Three phrases that sum up Christmas are: Peace on Earth, Goodwill to Men, and Batteries not Included. ~Author Unknown

2010-12-13T21:21:00.002-07:00

December is always total craziness (in my head anyway). Christmas cards ordered and mailed out. Zoey's party planned and party items shipped to the correct address. Ice skating lessons finished up. One strawberry shortcake birthday cake prepared with only a couple of phone calls to the sis in law. We had Zoey's party at the bowling ally on Saturday. I forgot nothing this time. There were about 6 kindergartners there and as many siblings. Zoey had a blast. After that we went to a friend's house and stayed a little late. I was up for fellowship at church the next day (cooking and cleaning) so up at 6ish to start baking. Kids had Christmas program practice until noon. We took Zoey out for supper at a restaurant of her choice last night since we had a program to attend tonight and then I baked some pink cupcakes for Zoey's class birthday treat.

This morning she comes in my room and is excited that it is her birthday. She wants to know where the cake, presents and her friends are. She was extremely disappointed when I told her we already celebrated her birthday. "But today is my birthday and you have to have cake and presents and friends on your birthday." Well it wasn't so bad. I showed her, her pink cupcakes. She had a great day at school and got a hat that was signed by all her classmates and of course we saved a couple of presents for her to open after she got home from school. She is happy to be 6 and already telling us she wants to be 7.

Isaac had his school Christmas program tonight. He was an elf with a speaking part. Two whole lines and he did great. I did video the program ---so fam you know what we are doing when we get to MN. It was called the "The Littlest Christmas Tree" We have one more program to attend this week at church. Both of the kids will be sheep.

I can't believe that it is almost Christmas already and we will be traveling in about a week!! But actually I think we are almost ready. A few last minute gifts, but really we are about done. I have been spending my time studying. I will probably jinx myself for posting this, but I am applying for an online job position as a health coach for a company called sharecare.com. Please google it, its a cool website. It was designed by the Web MD guy and Dr.Oz. However, I have to do quite a bit of training and certifying. The health coach position will not be available on line to the public until after the new year. But once it is I will have a website up and going for any of your health and fitness needs. I will be able to work from home, plus it will drive business to me at the rec center and my massage. It is a very cool opportunity so I hope for smooth sailing. On top of that my performance enhancement advanced specialization has been updated and they would like me to take another test for that so that I would have an actual certification instead of just a specialization. So I am considering studying for that too.

With any luck pictures will be up soon and I will see you all next week:)

If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, "thank you," that would suffice. ~Meister Eckhart

2010-11-29T10:40:00.002-07:00

Wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. A couple of days late. Wednesday Isaac woke up with his croupy cough, a sore throat and a horse voice. Breathing was great tho! So I took the day off work, called the doc who had surgeries all day. She did call me back and we got him on his advair and steroids again. I wanted somebody to listen to him anyway. It was a very good sign that I couldn't hear him breathing from two rooms away, but I wanted to double check. I dropped Zoey off at Kindergarten and Ike to the school nurse. She was in a meeting so we waited. She didn't come so we went to Walmart to pick up his meds came back to see if she could have a listen and she still wasn't back yet. So I called one of the nurses I worked with when I was working with the school district and she was totally awesome. She listened to his lungs, throat, looked in his ears and throat, took his temp, his O2 stats and swabbed him for strep. We started him on his meds right away and gave him a nap so that I could send him out hunting in the brutal cold (and no docs for like 100 miles). and he totally sounded better in the morning!!! He had a great time visiting with family in Ekalaka Montana. Its a high light for him every year. Zoey and I just hung out. She helped me get ready for the open house at my office and she always loves being in charge. Friday we stayed in and baked. I really just didn't want to go anywhere. I did attempt some online shopping, but they were out of stock on everything I tried to buy:( oh well. Saturday Chris and Isaac came home with a deer. We had Eric and Justin over for supper and Justin's kids came too. I made apple cider that made my whole house smell just amazing! I also made cherry salad, green bean hot dish, sweet potatoes with apples, stuffing, gravey, cresent rolls and a blueberry sourcream pie. Chris fried the turkey and it was great. But I couldn't get the guys to finish off all the food. I tried, but still ended up with left overs. And now we are on to Zoey's birthday and then christmas. I will attempt to swich my new moon music out for some christmas music. New Moon is out anyway as Eclipse comes out friday at midnight. I wasn't really worried about getting it at midnight, but my neighbor's husband is going and picking up a few copies. Party at my house! and probably with some of that apple cider.

If you don't like how things are, change it! You're not a tree. ~Jim Rohn

2010-11-18T14:06:00.003-07:00

I guess I haven't blogged in a while and at some point I will have to check to see if I missed anything. But for now, I can accurately say we are staying busy and mostly healthy. I think the kids have a very minor cold which they may be trying to share with me.

Zoey is still in ice skating lessons and loves the boys teaching her. She works very hard and loves it. We had our first christmas program practice last night. I thought it was a little early, but I suppose until I decide to buck up and help--that's not really my decision. Isaac and Zoey are having some friends over for sleepovers this weekend that we are all looking forward to.

This morning Isaac made himself and Zoey eggs for breakfast but was not happy with the outcome. I told him he should eat as much as he could cuz they were still good and we shouldn't waste. He tells me "Mom, we could just put the yolks in the garden and the deer can come eat it. That is called sharing MOM." Yes, how could I forget about the sharing, silly me.

Well we had early release last week with a couple days off for conferences and next week we will also have early release on Wednesday with a couple of days off for the holiday. The boys are going to Montana as is the norm and Zoey and I are going to have a girls weekend--well except that I have decided to work on Saturday. But she will have a blast being my helper!

Proof of our society's decline is that Halloween has become a broad daylight event for many. ~Robert Kirby

2010-10-28T11:09:00.002-06:00

Its cold out. Chris is hunting. By himself. Phone rang at 6am to see if Chris wanted to work today. Just sorta hanging out, I guess. Hopefully getting ready for the holiday weekend. The kids have fall festival tomorrow. Isaac's teacher will let him dress up as a pirate as long as he doesn't bring a sword, gun, hook or blood. I think Zoey can wear her costume. Kinda liked it better when you could have Halloween parties and the kids could wear their outfits more than once. We used to parade around the gym for everyone to see and I think we even had a contest for best costume. Apparently that wasn't fun. I do, however, have to remember to pack ALL of Isaac's shorts away--where he can't find 'em. He was so mad at me again this morning for not letting him wear shorts. It might get to 55 today, but we have snow and frost. I start my car early so I don't have to scrape it and he thinks just because dish network puts a sun on for today that he doesn't have to wear pants. I am just a meanie!!!

Zoey is doing well at ice skating. They are just doing learn to skate this session instead of the traditional ice skating (figure skating)levels. The hockey team is teaching them and I think its great. She did take a super crazy fall the other day. Didn't see what happened when she went down, but saw her tumbling across the ice and everyone heard her head. Good thing for helmets!!! She also recently got her second professional haircut. Its just above her shoulders and she got her bangs back. Its been so long since she has had bangs and I am so used to just braiding it or pulling it into a pony. I didn't quite get her hair dry before putting her to bed and had to take the iron to her spiky bangs. OOps.

Birthdays are good for you. Statistics show that the people who have the most live the longest. ~Larry Lorenzoni

2010-10-22T16:39:00.009-06:00

So much Bakugan you can't tell where one thing starts and another ends.

Isaac requested chocolate cupcakes with Bakugan rings.

Happy 8th birthday Isaac!!!

Who likes broccoli? Who likes spinich? That was the question of the day.

When Isaac initially opened his golf clubs he kinda tossed the box aside and I thought we could be getting out of his box phase. No such luck. The box will always be better than whatever you put in it! (Well except of Isaac himself of course)

Until you know that life is interesting - and find it so - you haven't found your soul. ~Geoffrey Fisher

2010-10-11T16:51:00.002-06:00

Kind of an odd day. The kids had a day off school today. I told them they could sleep in this morning, which obviously was a mistake, cuz they were both up at 6:30am. So we made pancakes and bacon for breakfast. Chris is so excited about not paying daycare anymore that I didn't fight him on it. But pretty much means I get extra days off too. It seems that in the past, if the kids had a day off I could just take them to the Rec Center with me on the days I was working there. But they gave the child care there the day off too. It was a great day to spend with the kids!! They had a jammy morning (Well we all did). But it was a very nice fall day out so I made them get dressed, packed a picnic lunch and we went to the Fishing Lake to eat and play at the park. The weather was fabulous and it smelled of fall. I took some pics of the kids playing. After we got back, the rain set in and it is pouring out!! Perfect timing.

The Viks play tonight and am super excited to watch them (as we only get a few of their games anyway).

Perhaps God gives us a physical body so that every time we change our mind, we won't be someone else. ~Robert Brault, www.robertbrault.com

2010-10-09T17:58:00.011-06:00

These are from the Big Horns a few weeks ago.

I haven't lost my mind; I have a tape back-up somewhere. ~Author Unknown

2010-10-09T17:12:00.004-06:00

Our weeks are still busy, but definitely just normal chaos these days. Issac had his last soccer game of the season. He didn't make many goals this season, but stopped several! He really enjoyed it. Zoey had her last gymnastics session and will be starting ice skating next week.

Chris and I celebrated our 11th wedding anniversary. Last year for our 10th I felt that we had kinda hit a milestone, but at the same time I felt very old. We put in a new water heater, cuz ours had gone out. We did go out for a nice dinner but Isaac got hurt and the babysitter didn't tell us--don't think we have had a sitter since. So this year, I wanted to do something a little more special (even though we had a good time last year). So we spent Friday night in the Black Hills. We stayed at a bed and breakfast and ate at some good restaurants. The next day we went to Prairie Berry Winery and sampled some wines. I wanted to hike so much more, but Chris not only has been hunting and therefore hiking alot, but it bothers him to hike during hunting season and not be able to hunt at the same time. The drive through Spearfish Canyon was awesome though!! I should have stopped to take more pictures.

The kids' school pics came back this week and turned out great. Isaac is always so proud. He picks out his clothes and likes to dress up for them. Note the NEW dimple on his right cheek--that one is from day care last summer playing ninja. That poor boy's head:( Zoey the day before pics were taken had shredded her shirt during recess and had a mark on her forehead from headbutting my nose. So I was glad when they did the kindergarten first that morning and that her goose egg went away quickly.

I don't suffer from insanity. I enjoy every minute of it. ~Author Unknown

2010-09-22T21:00:00.002-06:00

Chris is hunting this week. Wayne drove out late Friday night and the kids wanted to see him before they left. So Saturday we all were up at 5am chatted with Grandpa til 6. The rugby team was traveling so we stopped by to see if anyone wanted to be taped. They did not have a good turn out--like 4 guys so I wished them luck and moved on to Isaac's soccer game that started at 8am. It was wet, windy and cold but the kids played well. Isaac spent the afternoon at a friends house so Zoey and I worked on the basement. Isaac wants a bakugon birthday party so I am trying to make the basement comfy and have a place for them to brawl. Monday was busy at work as well as afterschool. We had gymnastics at 4, soccer pics at 6 and soccer game at 6:30. So I attempted to plan ahead. I packed gymnastics gear, soccer uniform, snacks and sandwiches for supper inbetween events, the picture envelpoe with a check and waterbottles for both kids. When I pick up the kis I notice that Zoey is wearing a different shirt. She shreaded hers climing on a swing with the boys after the teacher asked her not to.We do well til I start to dress Isaac for pics and at the last minute I realized that I pulled a Jara and forgot soccer shoes. Bummer. Still had to rush home and rush back just in the nick of time for pics. As I am watching the game Zoey has an enormous amount of energy. She sings to me "missed me, missed me now you gotta kiss me." And as she finishes I bend down to kiss her at exactly the same time she jumps up to do the same. Her boney forehead cracks onto my boney nose. The noise was not pleasant and I saw stars. With my eyes gushing wet I decide to sit down for the rest of the game. It was bone to bone so just pain no injury. I soon thought "hey I can take a hit maybe I should play rugby" then I realized that the trainer lady would take no whiners. Nasty allergies with a bruised nose--you'd think I had some life threatening disease/injury. I'm a weenie.

Tuesday is picture day at school.

Like maybe two weeks before school started Wyoming passed a law that all students have to have two vaccinations for the chicken pox. They decided that 30 days was sufficient to get everyone vaccinated. I didn't know this. I got a letter last week from the school district saying that Ike needed another shot. I doubled checked my records and with public health. Zoey was fine but Isaac did need one more. Well the doctors offices are not giving the vaccine. Everyone in Campbell County has to go to Public Health. Not an issue but from the time I got the letter til the time they are required to have the shot there was only one full day to get it. I had planned on waiting cuz I new it would be a zoo. Next wednesday I figured would be less people even though they didn't offer it all day. Well my schedule changed as it often does so after I get done at the Rec Center I pick up Subway for lunch and pick up Isaac and hope the line moves faster than it looks. It was slightly shorter than it had been earlier. Isaac had checked the weather this morning and it said 70 degrees so I could not convince him to wear jeans-he wanted shorts. At this point I am thinking at the most a 3-3 1/2 hour wait. Still time to pick up Zoey, go to gymnastics and make it to my meeting at 5:30. It turned out to be a cold and cloudy day, but Isaac was not the only one in shorts. It was cold and the kids had nothing to do. I thought about leaving but it would have been cold, miserable hours I couldn't get back and we were moving a little. But we were not by the door yet when I needed to pick up Zoey. We don't have family here and Chris is out of town. So I impose on my neighbor to pick up Zoey after school (her daughter is also in Kindergarten). We waited at least 4 hours outside before we even got to the door. Shortly after we got in, one of the little girls right behind us pulled the fire alarm. She was very tired. Seconds before we were all just watching her lay on the floor and we thought she would rest. She wanted to see what it was. She was so scared. The thing was, that NONE of us in line was giving up our spot for a stupid fire and even the people in the waiting room that didn't know it was the little girl all just sat there. It seemed to take forever for the fire department to get there. Isaac says "Isn't the fire department supposed to put out the fore before it burns everything down?". They were wondering why NO ONE had evacuated. Three of them walk over to the alarm pulled and ask "Did you bring the key to reset the alarm?" And then slowly walk away. They also needed a code, but had to find the box the code went into and the one person in the county that HAD the code. We got there at 11:30am and got our number about 5pm. (Isaac was hungry and cranky by this time) Actually we were letter C. About 5:30 they realized that they mixed up the numbers and letters, said they were sorry for the mix up and lined us all up and out we went. Like three seconds for the shots (got him an extra so we don't have to do this next year). Missed gymnastics, picked up Zoey and headed to the meeting a half hour late. Couldn't find who I was supposed to meet so we went to supper at the choice of my children--KFC. Not appealing to me at the time, but I wasn't about to cook and they deserved the choice.

Tomorrow between 9am and 9pm I will be giving 8 massages and it will wipe me out--but I am also getting one tomorrow too and totally can't wait!!

Chris called today and sounded pretty down that Wayne had already gotten his elk. But I still have hope. He should be home Saturday. I am sad he will not be here on our anniversary, but we will celebrate the following weekend.

I'll clean this up a little, later. My computer was not cooperating tonight either.

2010-09-15T14:49:00.002-06:00

Saturday was a full day. I went to Rugby while Ike played soccer. Ike's team did not win, but Isaac was able to stop a few goals while he played goalie. The rugby team didn't win either, but kept me busy with head lacerations that wouldn't stop bleeding. Talking those guys into getting stitches is like talking to a wall and after being certified for 9 years this was the first game I ran out of gauze. The day was absolutely beautiful though. Sunny and little wind. I got a sun burn:) Afterwards my family went to a friends house to play and have supper while I had a girls night out with Karina before she leaves Gillette (she's going to be a traveling PT so she can spend the winter in the warmer states). We did make it to church on Sunday, but the rest of the day I pretty much spent on the couch!!

Monday I thought I was doing great. Got stuff accomplished was home long enough to somewhat straighten up the house and get ready for Zoey's gymnastics. We get home and Chris says "Doesn't Isaac have a game tonight?" Well he did in 10 minutes. We got there in time, but it threw me off for the rest of the night. Darn it all:( Plus I have been just plain warn out from these NASTY allergies. I am ready to scratch my eyeballs out! So running around in a haze and trying to keep up with my constantly changing schedule and the kids--makes one tired momma. I did go buy more medicine today, which I was hoping to avoid, but that should help.

Chris is going to be hunting for a week. Kinda sad about that. He better bring me back something good to eat!

So this morning both the kids got up before I did and were dressed. In clothes that matched (not each other just the shirt and pants they had on). Isaac had already brushed Zoey's hair. They made breakfast. Shared most of it and brushed their teeth. There was no fighting, arguing, pouting or sass from anyone with each other or with me. I had no idea what to do with that so I just went with it and gave them each a high five. Plus we just bought Zoey new tie shoes and she tied one of them all on her own this morning!! What a day and its not even over yet.

A vacation is like love - anticipated with pleasure, experienced with discomfort, and remembered with nostalgia. ~Author Unknown

2010-09-07T11:29:00.002-06:00

Labor Day weekend I just wanted to go camping. We really didn't get to go much this summer and I knew this would be our last chance. So at the very last minute--I convinced Chris we should camp in the big horns.

Chris took us to this beautiful spot. It was totally fabulous which meant the road to get there had me holding my breath for long periods of time. It was the kind of road that doesn't look like a road and you just hope that the next rock you drive over doesn't through you off the mountain. But beautiful and worth it. It got chilly that night. Frost in the morning. So I shared my sleeping bag with a cuddly Zoey.

The next day we fished there for a short while. I took lots of pics (to be posted a little later). We packed up and went to Meadow Lark Lake and let the kids fish some more. Zoey, of course caught the first fish and we got 7 total while sitting out in a perfectly sunny happy day.

We were all drop dead tired when we got back, but Chris fired up fast once he took a look at our garden. We were gone for just one night and the deer ate a good chunck of our garden and left fertilzer in return. We were pretty ferious--we just didn't expect them to jump our fence (not that its that high).

Sunday we went to Church and cleaned the house. Yesterday we tried to relax some, but I did give a massage so we were out and about some.

Today--back to school!!

I never think of the future - it comes soon enough. ~Albert Einstein

2010-09-01T18:56:00.004-06:00

First day of school and random extras.

Education is not filling a pail but the lighting of a fire. ~William Butler Yeats

2010-09-01T18:24:00.002-06:00

Yesterday was the first day of school. The kids got up early and I made French Toast for breakfast. We walked on over and got Isaac off first as he had a whole regular day of school. Zoey didn't have orientation until 10am. Which of course is just a load of fun cuz all the parents get to come in and while the kids go on a tour of the school and read a book in the library--we sit in the little chairs and fill out paper work. But after I took Zoey out for lunch and she helped me some at my office. Isaac was supposed to go to his first soccer game last night, but school had totally wiped him out. So I went to go get his schedule and jersey. On my way over, I saw the gymnastics gym and decided to stop--so I got Zoey registered for Sept gymnastics two nights a week.

This morning Chris was off to work by 5am. But I heard noise just after 6. I could hear eating and whatnot. Isaac had fried himself an egg and cut himself a slice of cinnimon friendship bread for breakfast and then put the clean dishes from the dishwasher away. When he came in to wake me up he was already dressed and in an outfit that actually matched!! What a man!! He got stickers.

Today was Zoey's first full day at Kindergarten. We walked again and we found where she was to line up when the bell rings. Its was quite the ordeal with all the parents hanging out, some still taking pictures, kids not sure who their teacher is etc.... Mrs. Kremers came out and tried to line them up, sort them out and found a couple extras in the mix. But off Zoey went for the day. Unfortunately, I kinda forgot to tell Isaac that I would be at Zoey's door to pick her up when the bell rang at the end of the day--so even though we found eachother ok--he was not happy with me for not telling him where I was.

We went straight to gymnastics after school today and Zoey was elated!! Isaac got to tag along, but tomorrow he has soccer practice and hopfully that will go well. We now have something planned almost every evening for like the next two months--so a running I will be:)

"Just living is not enough," said the butterfly, "one must have sunshine, freedom and a little flower." ~Hans Christian Anderson

2010-08-31T16:24:00.023-06:00

Here are a few pics from this summer. I had so many I hope I got what I needed to here. This starts at the end of July with us at Devil's Tower.

We went to Minnesota for a week. Didn't get any pics of paintball tho--I'll have to get on that next time.

Isaac lost a few teeth on the way.

Wayne caught an 11 pound catfish.

When Brandon came a few days later we went to the Big Horns and saw Tie Hack Damn and climbed to the lookout tower.

I went to the MS bikathon after that to give massages to the riders, pics posted later.

The week after that we went camping at Old Flume on the North side of the Big Horns (the cow pasture)

My kids had such a great time.

Shell Falls

Can't forget the Wyoming Moose.

It is not necessary to change. Survival is not mandatory. ~W. Edwards Deming (Thank you, Michelle.)

2010-08-29T14:38:00.003-06:00

Just super excited that I finally got to go camping!! Dixie and Glen came for a visit and camped with us too so I hope it was all OK. Even though we camped in a cow pasture. Honestly, I have seen my share of cow pastures and have never thought to section one off to create a campground--guess its like a two for one for the owners. But we got to hike and fish. Zoey of course was the only one to catch a fish and Ike tried and tried with no luck:( We went to Shell Falls which was a good site seeing trip, but of course being afraid of heights I didn't exactly look over or through any of the chain link fence that they put right at the very edge of the cliffs.

Laundry day today. Open house for school tomorrow and school starts on Tuesday. So we are just making sure everyone has everything they need to start school this week and I think (so far anyway) we are on the right track.

God gave us two ends - one to sit on and one to think with. Success depends on which one you use. Head you win, tail you lose. ~Author Unknown

2010-08-25T16:04:00.003-06:00

I was sad when I saw summer coming to an end. It is just starting to warm up!! But as I foresaw this, August still seemed to whiz by without my noticing:(

This week has been a very normal week. Not too much confusion, which for me is a good thing. But the reality of fall is upon us. I took the kids school supply shopping the other day. We went to Walmart which is like going people watching at the state fair, but without the fun rides. The isles were full and my kids had quite the time. I picked up their school lists, but of course Isaac insisted that he already knew what Zoey needed for Kindergarten since he had already been there. Zoey too, had a list in her head that she thought was perfect (and it probably wasn't so far off). I got Isaac registered for soccer, which starts next week. Zoey's age group had already filled so she is not going to do fall soccer, but I'll just register her for ice skating right away. We have also considered gymnastics, but it seems that at the age of only 5 my daughter has found an interest in the most expensive sports in town. So we will see if we do that soon or wait til next summer. So I am already thinking in my head how all these schedules will fit together as we don't have Isaac's soccer schedule yet, but after soccer he wants to do active kids again. I think that fits well, but having kids in different things at different times gets to be interesting.

Also now that summer is coming to a close things are starting to pick up at the rec center again and I am hoping to keep busy there. It will be different having Zoey in school on Fridays--possibly keep me more focused to work. Who knows?????

Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional. ~M. Kathleen Casey

2010-08-23T12:50:00.002-06:00

This past weekend I volunteered to provide massage therapy at the MS Bikathon in Sundance. It was a very interesting experience. I miss working events like that--I haven't since I lived in MN.

Anyway it was 2 days of about 100 degree heat and 20-30 mile an hour winds. I was in town of course, but my tent where I was giving the massages actually blew down once--so I can't really imagine how aweful it was for the riders. I stayed until the very last ones came in, and glad I did. The last one in was a girl who came all the way from Oregon and she biked the 2 day 160 mile bikathon with MS. People come from all over and are so caring and compassionate. I love to surround myself with such possitive energy and amazing people.

The more I practice, the luckier I get. ~Jerry Barber, about golf

2010-08-18T12:43:00.002-06:00

Feeling much more caught up and productive today:) Yea! Plus I am excited that football season, rugby season and soccer season are here.

If you come to a fork in the road, take it. ~Yogi Berra

2010-08-17T21:09:00.002-06:00

Things haven't really slowed down here yet and I am not really expecting them to anytime soon. After we got back from MN Isaac woke up early the next morning haveing breathing problems. I had refilled his Advair before we went to MN in case he needed it there so I gave him a dose of that and sent him to the showers. I didn't really know how long the Advair took to work or really if it had much of an effect on him since I give him so many other things too. I asked him how he was feeling after his shower and he was still feeling pretty cruddy but he was feeling good enough to joke through it. After I asked him he says "But Mom I can sound like an old grandpa" with all smiles. I called the Doc and she prescribed his usual dose of asteroids (steroids), but this time I didn't wait for the pharmasist to bug his eyes out at the high dosage. Ike says they still taste terrible and should be grape flavored. I didn't have to take much time off work for the whole ordeal. He was breathing better before noon and he tagged along with me for the next few days. He answered my phone for me while I gave massages. The Doc wanted to see him the next day and I just scheduled it when she had her first opening, which originally was a poor time for us to go, but my schedule magically worked itself out so I could still have time for everyone.

By Thursday Brandon and Chloe were here. Its always fun when Brandon comes--well except that we were reshingleing the house so that probably wasn't the most fun we had ever had--but you know. They got the whole thing done by Sunday, which was super awesome, plus we had time to tour the mountains on Saturday. They stayed til early this morning so that we could all celebrate Chris's 35th birthday on Monday. After Chris got done with work they went to Devil's Tower (while I worked, bummer). We went out to Slices for pizza that night and had ice cream cake from Dairy Queen.

Today I did my best to find our regular routine. The kids were up late last night and I woke them up this morning and sent them both off to day care. It was an extremely slow go. So I am staying up tonight doing dishes and laundry and work things and catch up a little on my blogging.

I so totally can't believe that school starts in like two weeks. I am going to have all my children in school--all day--everyday. No daycare at this point in time so it seems that for a while I will be working more than usual this fall, but by the time Thanksgiving and Christmas roll around I won't be working so much between vacation and professional days. Gillette gets a lot of professional days and I am not always sure what the teachers do those days, but it means no school. So things will feel different from just daycare, plus daycare was kinda nice cuz I could pick her up when I wanted. Or like if I was running behind--no worries cuz they don't close til 6:30pm. Which really only gives me extra time in the summer when Isaac is also not in school, but still. It really gives me a lot less one on one time with them. They will always be together (usually fighting).

You sure can pick them, Bella. This movie really sucks. (Jacob Black, New Moon)

2010-08-17T13:21:00.003-06:00

So have you guessed where I got my music from? This is the music stuck in my head all day long cuz I have watched New Moon way too many times. So I thought I'd share and get it stuck in your head too.

A good friend is cheaper than therapy. ~Author Unknown

2010-08-10T17:24:00.002-06:00

We attempted a trip to MN and with all of the things we needed to fit in and all the things we didn't get to do--STRESSFUL does not even begin to describe it. I am still recovering from super sticky messes and ants not to mention Isaac woke up early on Monday with his horrible croup breathing again. Luckily I had his Advair refilled before we left for MN, so with a dose of that and the Doc started him on steroids before even seeing him he is now feeling much better. I do need to go out and get more Clariton it seems as Isaac, Zoey and I are all coughing. So Isaac has been hanging out with me the last few days being my receptionist. Which is really cute. Zoey is going in tomorrow for more shots and of course she wants her brother there, not for support, but to show him how tough she is. Hopefully Brandon will be here Thursday and the guys can get a start on shingeling the roof.

We are in motorcycle heaven here with the Sturgis Bike Rally going on (I should totally catch a concert), football starts monday and I will be giving massages at the MS Bikeathon on Aug 22/23.

Sometimes life's Hell. But hey! Whatever gets the marshmallows toasty. ~J. Andrew Helt

2010-07-26T15:08:00.002-06:00

I am so sorry I have totally been ignoring my blog. I don't even know when I posted last.

Isaac finished up his baseball season and even played catcher (reluctantly). They had a good season. Not all that focused or anything, but I was very proud of Isaac and Chris too for taking on all those crazy kids.

We just finished up swim lessons. We had to buy Isaac (and therefore Zoey too) goggles. His eyes got really itchy, red and watery from the water and his teachers said that having the goggles actually helped him quite a bit. He can float on his own and loves diving for the rings on the bottom of the pool. Zoey can almost float by herself and loves to push off from the side. She has some difficulty putting her head under the water and blowing bubbles. She is willing to do it with equipment (goggles and those super tight nose plugs). Then every night for free time they got to go on the lily pads which was a ton of fun for them. They both passed. But I have not signed them up for more yet, because we will be on vacation next week.

We (Chris)have planned a trip back to MN for a week. We will leave Monday after Chris gets done with work. I think Tuesday we are going to the Freeborn county fair. Wednesday we are going to Valley Fair. We were planning on going up north Thursday and Friday, but those days are under scheduling construction. I will be going to the Cities Friday and Saturday tho to spend some much needed time wtih my girly friends (seriously I don't think I have seen you since 2008). Saturday Chris is going to play some paintball. If anyone has anything to add or just wants to join in--let me know.

Chris burnt his leg last week. He was putting in a dish at the Harley shop and backed into a hot bike. We didn't go to the doc, but on Thursday it was getting red and tight so I had some friends look at it. He played 24 of softball (or something like that) on it and is doing absoulutly fine. He did attend the softball tourney in Bellfoush. He left at 6:30pm on Friday night. I think they were scheduled to play their first game at 9pm. I hadn't heard from him the next morning so I called him and they had played their second game like at 6am and had another game noon. He didn't get back until 6:30pm on Saturday. They got second in the Beer division.

I have been sharing an office with Rachel Nava. She is an excellent massage therapist, but has decided to retire from that and move on to other things. So I have been deciding on if I need to find a new location or if I can handle this one all by myself. I tried to get into the Rec Center since we have been talking about that since I moved here, but if they chose to start massage it won't be until after the new year. It would have been nice to have them do all my paperwork for me, but we'll see. For now I am going to stay at the same location and possibly look for someone else to share the office with. I have been marketing like crazy. I had no idea I could be this social! Wyoming has passed licensure for athletic trainers so I had Dr. Kioshos sign for me and I spent the day with him at the clinic last week. Everyone was awesome to work with and now I have one more piece of paper to hang on my wall.

Isaac lost another tooth on Friday night before he went to bed. But I am so glad his top tooth finally came in. He looks good with teeth.

Jared and his family came out the weekend before the fourth of July. It was a short stay, but very enjoyable. We went to watch Isaac play baseball and I was surprized at how well the kids played together. I really wanted to go home for the fourth of July and was this close to doing it. My grandpa (who is like 86) celebrated his wedding reception on the fourth of July. It was supposed to be so that all the family could meet and I would have been able to see dad. But between spending $600 on my license and then realizing that we would have traveled back the same day as the party and my kids wouldn't have gotten to see fireworks--we decided against it. Instead we spent the day in Rapid doing some fun things with the kids and then Sunday we watched the fireworks here. Gillette always has good ones.

Our garden is growing. Yay. It is finally starting to get hot here. Our grass is drying up like it should have in June. Chris built the kids a new playhouse with a rope wall and a slide. We have put off redoing our roof. Not sure the expected date now, but still willing to take helpers.

Well, its sunny and hot out (may be even humid which is not normal for here) so I have to go. I might even stop at the library to see if Twilight is in yet. Seriously, I never thought I would be a fan--EVER. But I am going to have to read the books. Who knew:)

A day with Isaac

2010-06-24T12:08:00.003-06:00

Well look at me! I went to Enrichment with Isaac today. It is his last day and he thought I would like it. So far we have listened to a folk story, flown kites, made homemade icecream and butter and had lunch. It has been interesting and now we are sitting in Techno Tooles. With it being the last day everyone just has free time on the computer. Most are playing games, but Isaac and one of his school mates are on linerider.com. They create a path (a line) for a little sledder dude to ride. The sledder dude crashes alot. Defnately pictures to follow. Actually he has one class left--Elementary Sports--where he gets to go bowling. However, I did not know that he was going bowling today and I did not send him with any socks.

I am so glad he has this class but the computer I am using does not have an "N" key and that seems to be annoying as I am using that button more than I thought I would. However, now finally we are having some warm sunshine:)

Sunshine is delicious, rain is refreshing, wind braces us up, snow is exhilarating; there is really no such thing as bad weather, only different kinds

2010-06-18T20:59:00.002-06:00

So much is going on these days. A couple nights ago, I went to the Rec Center to work out and as I am enjoying the purpley sky and lightening, I am listening to the radio let me know that we had a tornado watch until midnight. I was just hoping that if a tornado came they would let me know in time as I was working out on the second floor of a glass building! We did not get much interesting weather that night, I don't really even think it rained. We did get really nasty wind that woke us all up the next morning. The tornado that was supposed to hit apparently moved on to Minnesota and destroyed quite a bit of southern Minnesota. I have only seen a few pictures posted on Amy's blog. But while buildings are still standing much repair will need to be done at my in laws and they apparently lost a lot of trees, down power lines, crazy stuff.

We have been getting more rain than normal still, but it hasn't slowed us down much. However, instead of working on the house (as I have such high intentions of doing) I instead have been watching movies and reading books. Isaac once in a while will claim that he doesn't like kids camp, but is so excited to tell me about his day and loves to pack his lunch. They have been making play dough, paper airplanes and contests, making homemade ice cream, swimming and playing games. He had finished up his first week at Enrichment. We finally got the bus schedule figured out after a call to the bus barn. The first day we waited, but it was late and I just didn't have the time, so I dropped him off myself. But since then he rides it there and back everyday about 20 minutes each way. I do get nervous about him finding the right bus, but I haven't lost him yet. He is taking storytelling/art. He got to do watercolor the first day and after that he worked with clay. He is taking kids concoctions which is just crazy. The first day he came home with oobleck (goo) which is a colloid and I was forced to not only recall what a colloid was but name the three colloids in my refrigerator. The second day he brought home several different types of polymers and he has made homemade sidewalk chalk and a rainbow in a baggie (its pretty, but I'm not really sure what to do with it). He is taking techno tooles. He doesn't really bring anything home from that class except homemade stickers--its kinda a computer class. He is also taking elementary sports. He did plyos on the first day and he's only seven.

In addition to this we have been attending baseball and softball games. Isaac usually plays catcher, but two games ago he got hit several times and a couple of times where he had no padding. He didn't get hurt, but that doesn't mean it didn't suck and so of course he doesn't want to play catcher anymore. He has become afraid of the ball, but I was so glad Chris got him to play a little bit of catcher in the last game. Not that he needs to play that position, but I really want him to get over his fear.

So the days are filling up and filling fast. I don't think I will be home for Grandpa's Wedding Reception, but who knows if I show up on a whim. I don't really want to miss it. But we are still working on the house. My car will get some of the hail damaged fixed next week and we will hopefully now by then how the roof faired as well. Anyone want to come help roof????

2010-06-17T07:55:00.002-06:00

Thought I had a quicky moment to blog, but I got a little sidetracked. I hope it turned out ok. Guess I will post a little later.

Man cannot live on chocolate alone, but woman sure can. ~Author Unknown

2010-06-07T22:55:00.002-06:00

Random late night rambling---

What a day!! Actually yesterday I was sick and got nothing done in the house. At All. The past few days I was having allergies and figured I should just suck it up. So we went to church and blessed the motorcycles for safe travels. And that was it for me. By the afternoon I couldn't turn my head and finally decided to check my temp--100.1. But the kids were good and both slept through the night. This morning my phone rings at 5:30am. Usually not a good sign in recent months, but it was just the rec center and I had missed it--It rings again. A personal training client askes "Is this the right day? Did we have an appointment today?" "Yes, we have an appointment at 5:30 this evening." She is not sure if that time works for her, I am not really awake--told her I'd call her back.

It is the first full week out on summer break. Last night Ike was not too excited about starting kids camp. I say"you don't want to play at the new rec center all day?" "Oh, its at the new rec center and we can swim and play games?" Yup--at the very same place you always ask to go to silly. So he packed his lunch this morning. He loves bringing a lunch as well as putting it together himself. However, I just realized some of the problem we had with this last year. I don't always clean out his lunch box until the next morning which tends to leave us short on ice packs. OOPS. So I drop Zoey off at daycare--reassuring her that she WANTS to play with her friends. I get Isaac to the rec center, but we go in the main rec center door instead of the enterance for the field house so we walk around wait in line to be registered. As we walk into to field house Isaac says "This isn't a farm." I am not sure if he thought they called it a farm house or if he just thought fields and farms went together, but it was kinda funny. I try to figure out which line is for his age group and wait in the wrong line so we head to the back of the longest line. Get him registered and off I go. My first client is personal training so I just need to head back to the rec center, but am running later than usual. Turns out fine as my client is also running late. But with massages to give right after I am still my frantic self. My schedule changed a few times. Gave three back to back massages. Now its after 4 and I have not picked up any of my children. Kids camp ends at 5 as does the kids zone that usually watches my kids if I have after school clients. So I pick them up and attempt to drop them off at home with Chris, but just like my day his schedule has also changed and he is not home. We travel back to the rec center--I don't change into my workout clothes just change shoes and the three of us wait for my last client to show up. Without day care I was hoping to have the kids play basketball, cuz I think they are old enough to be in there and I can pretty much see them from whereever I am at. But Zoey is mad that I don't let her run laps in the field house and I am trying to keep both of them close to me until my client arrives so they watch the rock climbers for a while. We did go play some basketball for a short time, but the "I can call you at 5am lady" never showed. So irritating!!! But Isaac did enjoy kids camp today. He made a boomerang and played at the park. Some kids from his class were there for him to play with. By the time we got home it was after 6 and we were all hungry and tired and wouldn't you know it--the chef forgot to show up too--so we had pizza for supper--from the freezer. Now to play catch up from yesterday--no one can find their clothes (even the ones IN their dressers).

In the spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt. ~Margaret Atwood

2010-06-03T19:46:00.010-06:00

Chris went to the Mule Deer Banquet a few weeks ago and looky at what he won. Yup a brand new Winchester (that we have put in the hands of our children). The raffle ticket came with his beer glass and was the only thing he purchased all night. He was more than excited!!!!!

Zoey's soccer season is over and tho the springtime wind was not all that pleasant--she very much enjoyed herself.

Isaac has started baseball. He totally loves it!! Mostly he plays catcher and with this brings a new manly milestone. His first cup.

Chris is the coach of Isaac's baseball team. He enjoys it, but has found out that it is a little more work than he thought it might be. So far we have had a couple of games rained out, but they are doing pretty good.

Our garden was quite a project this year. I marked it out last year with the existing railway ties. This year we pulled out all the grass, tilled it a few times and planted some strawberries, watermelon, pumpkins, cucumbers and corn. We are not sure how it will go just seeing what will happen.

So I don't know really what's all going on. When its sunny the neighbor girls are over a lot to play with the kids. Last week Zoey finished preschool (forever) which kinda makes me sad. She knows now that she has to wait till fall to start kindergarten, but keeps asking me when the fall time is. It will truly be a long summer for her. Isaac had his last day of first grade today and I let him have a friend over for the night. For now Zoey will just be attending her daycare for the summer. No major plans just yet as gymnastics is leaving Gillette. With no high school gymnastics brings no free program. The same lady is still running a free activity program, but its not specifically gymnastics. There are some club programs that are crazy expensive, so we just have to see. Swim lessons are somewhere in the future. Ike on the other hand is signed up for baseball, kids kamp at the rec center and enrichment so he will be super busy at least through July and then sign ups again.

Yesterday we had some medical fun. Isaac woke up about 5:30 am with his nasty croupy cough. I gave him some of the delsym that the doc had suggested I bring to MN with me and sent him to the showers. He sounded better so I took him to the school nurse first. She listened to him with wide eyes and asked if I had medicine for that. She was very concerned. So I took him to the doc. And I tell you--I have never seen one person mystify and scare so many docs all at once. He freaks them out!!! She says " I think we should start steroids, but I wish I could see in there and see what's going on." Not surprising from Dr. Thomas she is very hands on. She asks me if she thinks the ears nose throat doc will remember him from December. Well duh? Every doc in Gillette was staring at him in amazement. So she calls him (in hopes of a scope, which she doesn't get) but he says to add Advair and an epipen to the prescription. Fine. Whatever. So we wait forever at Walmart to get our prescription filled and the pharmacist reads the bottle of steroid to me AND THEN realized how high of a dose that is. He asks Isaac how old he is and goes and talks to the other pharm guy who totally agrees that it is a high dose. Isaac is taking the HIGHEST dose you can give a 7 year old without turning his insides out. Pretty much they all think he is going to stop breathing at any moment--hence the epipen. I obviously don't want machines to breath for him again and I understand that medicine in the past has not always worked, but I still feel some over reacting going on. Plus the advair he takes twice a day was super expensive and I have no way of knowing if he is actually sucking all the medicine out--so that bugs me. If I am paying for it and want to know if it is helping or not I want to know if its actually in him or not. Oh well. I sent him back to school after the doc app and he went to school with out restriction today as well.

And for some good spring fun we had a super hail storm. We were actually got hit moderately as south of us got his less and north got hit harder. We had about ping pong size stones while north of us got the golf ball size hail. We did get damage. Our garden got hit pretty good and all of our vehicles. I don't know the outcome of our roof yet. It was craziness and lasted much longer than I anticipated, but we got hit twice that night. There was some minor flooding and I am always amazed at how hail just accumulates and has to be removed like snow.

Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family. Whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one. ~Jane Howard

2010-05-17T17:08:00.020-06:00

Powder River Prarie Fire Gillette Men's Rugby Team

The New Rec Center--0 depth and lots o water sprinker thingies---Cardio

My new office has rascals in it!! The stepping stones at the water park.

Basketball courts, raquetball courts, a squash court and the track that goes around the upstairs.

The climbing tower that really does resemble Devil's Tower.

Mother's day--we had NO SNOW but apparently it was a little breezy.

I did not have to cook on Mother's Day either!

I can't really explain this one.

Brooke and Piper

Dugan, Isaac, Autumn and Piper

Brooke and Zoey are 3 days apart and Piper and Aspen are 5 days apart.

Autumn and Aspen Zoey and Aspen

Libby and Aspen

All the grandkids

All the girls

Zoey and Piper

It's bizarre that the produce manager is more important to my children's health than the pediatrician. ~Meryl Streep

2010-05-04T16:41:00.002-06:00

Just a quicky here--I ran to MN and back. We all had a great time and even though we were tired when we got back Ike says "We should do that every weekend, Mom!" Yeah-- well if it wasn't quite the treck. But being in Gillette we are getting back there more often.

Anywho--Wednesday before we left I started drugging both my kids. We used claritin for the allergy and flinstones with extra vitamin C and held the delsym for the just in case. My allergies bugged me while there so I also took the claritin. I did not hear Isaac cough while we were in MN. And as you all well know he usually wakes up with it right after we arrive and it never sounds very good. My sister-in-law did hear him cough, but I never did give him delsym. I have heard him cough one time since we have been back and it was NOT a croupy cough so I just left it alone. This is wierd to me that he didn't get the cough BUT it looks like the allergy meds helped and we will probably dose up the next time we come. I think this was a succesful trip in terms of health and I am totally excited!!!

And on a cuter note--I got to snuggle cute adorable fabulous babies all weekend. I hogged them both since they will not be that little the next time I see them. I will post pics of my nieces and nephews soon when I have a bit more time. On to a soccer game in the cold and the wind--JOY:)

Madness takes its toll. Please have exact change. ~Author Unknown

2010-04-26T19:32:00.003-06:00

So right now I do not have any sick children. Normally I think nothing of it--even when they have a cough. But going to MN this weekend, I am 100% sure that Isaac will get a cough. If you remember him being in MN without the cough--Please let me know. Never had to worry about his stinkin cough before. Always treated it the way the Drs said to and he never had any other symptoms. But now I am about the prevention--prevention of never going back to Denver's PICU.

Mayo Clinic's definition of croup:Marked by a harsh, repetitive cough similar to the noise of a seal barking, can be scary for both children and thier parents. The harsh, barking cough of croup is the result of swelling around the vocal cords (larynx) and wind pipe (trachea). When the cough reflex forces air through the narrowed passage, the vocal cords vibrate a barking noise. Because children have small airways to begin with, those younger than the age of 5 are most susceptibe to symptoms of croup. Croup usually isn't serious. In fact most cases are treated at home. Sometimes, your child may need prescription medication.

This gives me no help. He is not younger than 5. He does not have an abnormally small airway. And sometimes you have to be airflighted to the pediatric intensive care unit. The internet says that to prevent it you do the same as you would to prevent a cold. Yup--I never told him to sneeze into his elbow as to not get croup. Been there done that. It also said to keep up on your childhood immunizations. Well he made it throught he first grade--pretty sure we got that covered too. I tried to read about homeopathic remedies that suggested a plant that I had never heard of -so I looked that up and the first site I went to said how poisionus it was so I am NOT going to use that. I still think that his cough is triggered by an allergy and when I asked the doc if I should bring anything with me--she suggested allergy medicine and make sure to give it to him before we go. So this week I am doing my darndest to strengthen his immune system and his histomine systems so they are hard at work when we go to MN. And if he seems a little out of it--don't be all THAT surprized. I am a bit nervous.

I brought children into this dark world because it needed the light that only a child can bring. ~Liz Armbruster, on robertbrault.com

2010-04-20T09:54:00.002-06:00

Alright so it has been a busy month yet again!! I would LOVE to announce my newest niece AGAIN--Aspen Ann came in at 6lbs 2oz on April 6th. Once she realized that her cousin Piper had come she just didn't want to wait til Mother's Day to arrive. She is 5 days younger than Piper--maybe they will be a little competitive--ya think? Anyway, she is super sweet and doing fabulous for being a little early. I so totally cannot wait to go back to MN to visit them and give some extra cuddles. I am thinking about heading back for the babyshower, but of course it will be a quick whirl wind--leaving Friday after I pick up Ike from school and heading home Sunday as soon as I can manage to pry myself away. Babies, babies, babies!

So the day after she was born I left for Denver for some continuing education. It was really great!! The state of Wyoming has FINALLY gotten licensure which is very good for our profession. Its expensive, but good.

When I got back Zoey started soccer and her team did very well. Didn't win, but their team did not fight, or cry and played only on thier own field!! and all this while playing in horrible, cold, blow you over wind. She loves it and is a leader. Very fun to watch. Isaac started baseball. He is pretty excited as he knows a few of his teammates from school. They have only had one practice so far, but he always looks forward to baseball season. This is his time. Chris is coaching this year. He thought it might be fun IF it fit into his schedule, so they signed him up before they let him know what the baseball schedule was. So we'll see how everything fits. With Zoey in soccer, I couldn't be Isaac's team mom--we'll have about three games a week between the two of them.

Rugby still rocks!

and now here we are up to today. I think. And it seems that spring/summer is on the way. I didn't even wear a coat yesterday! So if anyone wants to come on over, we can sit on the new deck and just hang out--I love those days.

I had it all...but forgot where I put it

2010-04-10T13:12:00.000-06:00

Wednesday afternoon I packed up and drove by myself down to Denver for the Rocky Mountain Athletic Trainer's Association Clinical and Symposium. I got a little lost trying to figure out how to get from my hotel to the symposium and back. Its great being with my likeminded peers!! I love it and it renews in me my pride for my profession as there is not a ton of that in Gillette. But I have gotten to meet other athletic trainers from Gillette/Wyoming as well as others in the district. I even met someone who has a business very similar to mine just on a much larger scale and that was good and inspirational to see. I have learned a ton. I went to a workshop for Spinal Reflex. If you tell some reflexes to stop you can alter many things. I told him my neck was sore cuz my traps were so tight. From that he fixed my leg length disgrepancy, eliminated my neck soreness and my sore throat and for good measure---I could touch my toes!!! But its cold in here just FREEZING. I sat for 3 hours today at a leadership workshop so I am getting a little edgy. I really miss my kids. Zoey has asked me for hugs and kisses and wants to know when I will home. They would love to stay at the hotel with me!I am ready to go home but not till tomorrow. And since the speaker for psychological interventions for use with Injured athletes during the three phases of rehabilitation has started I should stop blogging.

Angels are direct creations of God, each one a unique Master's piece. ~Quoted in The Angels' Little Instruction Book by Eileen Elias Freeman, 1994

2010-04-05T13:22:00.002-06:00

My newest niece Piper Ann Bell arrived on April 1st. 8lbs 9oz and 20 3/4 inches. I can't wait for a Minnesota visit. Two babies to meet by the time we get to go back:) Sorry Amy--I just couldn't resist putting her pic on my blog!

Let the resurrection joy lift us from loneliness and weakness and despair to strength and beauty and happiness. ~Floyd W. Tomkins

2010-04-04T22:09:00.002-06:00

Happy Easter! We have had a good weekend. My kids have been on Easter break so all week I just kept hearing "Can we paint 30 eggs NOW Mom?" I have not seen my kids so excited since I took Zoey to the Dentist. So Saturday we boiled some eggs. Ike was getting the pans and eggs out so I wouldn't forget. After that I took the kids to the water park for the afternoon and by the time we got home it was time to eat. So by the time we got around to coloring eggs it got a little late, but they turned out really good this year. No pictures, as I never like the way the colors turn out on the pictures. But everyone was happy. Isaac was so excited he just shook" Mom, I just can't wait!" I asked "Well, what is the best part? Do you like to color the eggs or find them?" " I LOVE the HUNT"

Chris had to work today of course. He wasn't all that excited, but people scheduled to have Dish put in so he was there. We woke up the kids and they had Easter eggs to HUNT and find. He said that the Easter Bunny didn't leave Chris and me very much stuff. But the Easter Bunny did well this year and got good reports. We went to Church (the late service), but I didn't drink from the community challis this time so maybe I do have a learning curve-even if its slow!! We stayed for some light brunch, Isaac all of a sudden looks at me kinda disappointed and asks if he has to go back to school tomorrow. Yes, you do and I was pretty happy about it so he wasn't real sure if I was joking or not, but he was not happy about his new realization:(

We visited friends for the afternoon and then came home to cook. Last week or so I really wanted ham so I grilled some up. So I didn't make any for Easter dinner. Nope-we went nontraditional. Ike made Deviled Eggs, and rolled some of the crescent rolls. I made kabobs with marinated shrimp and veggies. Zoey made the strawberry rhubarb cobbler (with supervision of course, but it was tastefully simple so she mostly just had to dump out the ingredients into the pan). It all turned out pretty yummy! and only a little cobbler was leftover. While we were cooking I did ask my kids if they listened to the pastor today and new why we celebrated Easter (other than the hunt) Luckily they knew. Yay!! Also today as we were leaving the church Zoey saw the pastor through the window and waved--When she told me who, she actually said--Pastor Tom. This was the first time that she referred to him as the Pastor instead of God, but it was so super cute every time she called him God.

Love your enemies. It makes them so damned mad. ~P.D. East

2010-03-28T21:12:00.002-06:00

So this month with the Rec Center being closed and Chris on vacation I really thought I would have extra time and not much work---NOT SO MUCH. This has been a very busy month giving massages, taking Zoey to Kindergarten screening and the Adventurarium, shopping, babysitting and technically the month is not over yet. One of the high lights is that I just became the Athletic Trainer for the Powder River Prairie Fire Men's Rugby Team. It is their first season here in Gillette and will wet my thirst for the athletic training that I have been so desperately missing (but originally gave up due to lack of time). However, they only have 3 home games and one tourney in Spearfish--all on Saturdays. While this is totally enough to keep me occupied I am still trying to talk to the Campbell County School District Athletic Director to see if I could run the training room in the new field house as it is part of the new Rec Center and spectacular. Which by the way the new Rec opened early and we have been busy and I am super happy to have my regular schedule back. The kids keep asking when we are going to the Rec Center, cuz its huge and new and cool and amazing so trying to get them to want to go home is a chore. Zoey won an Easter coloring contest at her school and they gave her a giant coloring book. Both the kids had dental check ups last week and yay to no cavities. This was Zoey's first time to the dentist and she was SUPER excited and loved every minute of it. She is still waiting for her teeth to come out (just like Ike). Zoey's teeth were perfect, while Ike is in need of help and I am not always the most tedious person. I suppose for the health of my children's teeth I will have to step it up. Plus we are keeping our fingers crossed that he moved during his xray cuz if he didn't he'll need braces (and by the time he is 9). Chris was able to take off some much needed time to relax and decompress some. He went to Grand Targhee to snowboard for a few days and went with a Minnesota friend. I think he stayed out of trouble and only bumped his head once (that he could remember). This week is spring break so Ike has the week off school. "Mom, we don't have to go to school. I am soo glad, cuz I really need the break." He's a nut, but we are all looking forward to Easter and the Easter Bunny. I am sure I have forgotten something in the last couple of weeks, but I just hope I can keep up the momentum. I am going to Denver the first week of April for some continuing education and am looking forward to that. Zoey's soccer and Ike's baseball will be starting around then also so I hope the sun will start to shine on a regular basis. It snowed on Friday, but was in the upper 60's today and the kids wore shorts for the first time this season. Happy Easter to everyone. Have a safe and fabulous holiday!

2010-03-19T17:01:00.004-06:00

So it was round 2 for school pics. Here they are. So what happens in the spring is they take the pic and send home a full $40 package, you pick what you want and pay for it and everything you don't want you send back to the school. I think its a waste of--well a lot of things. Zoey's school will be having this again also, but I gave her some princess hair on Ike's picture day hoping they could get their picture taken together--no such luck. Because of that these are being scanned and returned so if you want one--print one from here, cuz I won't have'em. Hopefully later this year we will all go in and have some family pictures done since we don't do that very often--at all.

Super busy. Nothing in particular. Just busy. Good and wonderful busy.

Nothing compares to the simple pleasure of a bike ride. ~John F. Kennedy

2010-03-05T09:52:00.004-07:00

The weather out here has been pretty nice the past few days. At least in the 50's and nice and sunny. We had friends over the other night and we grilled up some pork chops. But last night Chris got home shortly after us. The kids were playing in the front yard and for whatever reason he decided to take the training wheels off of Zoey's bike. We were kinda ready last summer, but she was still so wobbly, I just didn't think it would go well. I really figured it would take her a few tries to get the hang of it and wouldn't have been surprized if there was a fit and some tears. However, Chris started her off and away she went, just riding. No crashing, no tears, just a housefull of proud people that the youngest of the family had passed another major milestone:) Don't worry though---we are expected to get snow today.

There are only two things a child will share willingly - communicable diseases and his mother's age. ~Benjamin Spock, Dr. Spock's Baby and Child Care

2010-02-28T20:37:00.003-07:00

I am so tired, its odd I find this is a good time to blog. I would have gone to bed at 7pm tonight if I could have. We did have a kinda big weekend. I had a friend stop over for a short time on Friday. I had a couple of massages on Saturday and then took the kids to a pool party in the afternoon. We went to Church this morning. Today was the last day the old rec center was open so they had a free day open to the community and had some games and gave away a few ipods. The rec center will be closed for the month of March to move into the brand new one featuring a water park and a climbing wall that is a replica of Devil's Tower. I can still see my clients at the aquatic center so I won't exactly be getting the month off. I haven't had the chance yet to visit the new facility, but I can guarantee that my kids won't want to leave the daycare--ever! I will be helping to move in the next week or two and we are having employee family night on the 13th and am totally looking forward to that. I will have to remember to bring my camera.

My kids are doing well. Zoey still asks everyday if she can go to the big school like Isaac. She has always been verbal, but lately it just seems she talks so grown up with such a large vocabulary. Isaac said tonight that he was tired of going to school and asked how many days he had left until summer vacation. My kids have always been totally different. One quiet, a good sleeper and very independent while the other is noisy and never sleeping. While Zoey wants to be a veterinarian, a rock star and an athletic trainer like her mother while Isaac wants to be nothing. He's only 7 so I don't worry, but I still find it a little odd that he seriously wants to be nothing. There is a possibility he wants to play video games all day--for a living. Zoey asks me to teach her how to read and she is so ready. Isaac is in advanced math, but doesn't like it. I am so glad kids go through stages and he has time. Of course I think the same thing about poor overworked Zoey. I don't think I am ever gonna see her!

Marriage means commitment. Of course, so does insanity. ~Author Unknown

2010-02-18T11:41:00.003-07:00

In 2006 while filling out paperwork to drive vehicles for the OTC I realized that my driver's licence had expired. So when I came back to WY for 3 days I renewed it using the WY address we currently had. I attempted to change the address on my driver's licence while in MT, but we were moving so much and the lady at the counter said "why do you want to change this--its still valid?" So I left it. It didn't expire again until 2011 anyway. But I would like to say that I have a current WY driver's licence that has my current address on it and have decided that the make up I was wearing that day should never be worn again.

This morning as I was trying to get the kids ready for school this morning and was tired of repeating myself (as usual) "I feel like a broken record." Isaac replies "You don't look like one." Well I guess I am thankful for that.

I decided to get Zoey's kindergarten shots done and over with before kindergarten registration. She got two shots in each arm (at the same time) and was fabulous. She didn't scream or cry, but was very insistant to the nurse that "that was sharp!) She thought we had done that for kindergarten and was a good girl so she thought I was taking her straight to Mrs. Kramers class. She was bummed. The following Monday we went to get her registered. I was nervous, because even though Gillette is building new (not necessarily more) but bigger schools, there are areas that have way more kids than space and teachers. Some mom's were seriously up by 4:30 am to wait in line and hope they got a space. I have a close friend who does not know where her kids are going to school next year because of this and there is still a possibility that her kids will go to different schools. I risked it and went in at 8am and everything went very smoothly. She is registered and my kids are both going to the same school. But again Zoey thought that she had done well and thought I was going to drop her off at Mrs. Kramer's class and she was bummed again.

Valentine's Day went much better than last year. My husband was fabulous. He didn't even have to work long that day. I got him a pie and I think he liked it. We went out to Humphrey's for some fried pickles. Yummmy!!!

Did you ever stop to think, and forget to start again? ~Winnie the Pooh

2010-02-03T18:57:00.002-07:00

Well I haven't had my undies in a bunch for a while and boy are they bunchy!!!

Both the kids are doing well and growing up way too fast!! I'm trying to figure out how to slow it down, but am super proud of them for excelling. So the other day Isaac came home and cried and sobbed to Chris. He was super mad at me cuz I won't let him walk home from school in the cold and all the sex offenders. Yes, I am a horrible mom--just a meanie. So, I don't know anyone else in our neighborhood that lets their child walk by themselves, two people have been arrested in front of the school (last year) and I spoke with a mother this morning who just the other day watched a man drinking in front of the school, ogling the kids and took a girl into the apartment building. She didn't know what to do especially since she had her new born with her, but luckily the little girl came back out and went back to the school. I finally looked on line to see where these people who are making my life miserable live--yeah--everywhere, but since they all hang out at the school I suppose it doesn't really matter where they live. I finally told Isaac that this spring when the weather gets nicer I will get him a group to walk with. But until then it seems silly and negligent of me to let him walk in the cold when I go right past his school to get to Zoey's and I have the time. Chris feels that I am way too overprotective and if you feel the same--please let me know. Possibly there is an alternative that I am overlooking that will make Ike feel responsible while not making me freak out that terrible horrible things are going to happen to him. (short of getting GPS which I am assuming is expensive).

Zoey got her kindergarten shots today. Two in each arm. No crying. No screaming. Just telling the nurses a couple of times "That is sharp!" Then we get in the car and she's ready for Mrs. Kramer's class. After winter, spring and summer time Zoey. It has to be fall time then kindergarten will start. "Mom, that is a long way away!"she says with a sad face:( Then when I picked her up from preschool she decided that she could start on Monday. So I think we are going to have a long few months waiting for kindergarten to start. We got to Gillette so late when Isaac needed to register that I thought for sure we wouldn't be able to get him in, but with him safely enrolled at Sunflower I just thought that Zoey would be automatically enrolled. Not so sure. Most of the elementary schools just take the first 60 kids--first come first serve numbers based on how many teachers they have. Mom's in Gillette are getting up at 4:30am, grabbing a coffee and waiting in line for registration at 7:30am. Now I have gotten up early for years, but I have decided that doesn't necessarily make me a morning person and if I have to split my kids up--I am gonna be an UNHAPPY MOMMA! So I went to the office today and asked them if I should wait in line to make sure both my kids are at the same school. She assured me that Sunflower doesn't have lines like that and if I come in anytime from Feb 8-12th I should have no problems getting her in. Not sure what I am going to do yet--just wish me luck!!!!Pretty sure getting your kid in school is worse than the electronic/toy sections on black Friday.

Other than that things are going well. We are all back into our regular routine, which does make me feel at ease. Isaac is right where he should be and not behind after missing several days of school in December and is probably signing up for baseball this spring and possibly not doing soccer. We will probably still sign Zoey up for soccer and I don't really know that I am looking forward to standing in the cold again, but at least I won't be coaching!

Work is good and I have been working out again. Still drinking pop:( but its really my only nemises.

Life is like riding a bicycle - in order to keep your balance, you must keep moving. ~Albert Einstein

2010-01-18T19:48:00.002-07:00

I would just like to post that I have nothing to post!! That is super good. We are all healthy, my car is fixed and I have 6 massages to give tomorrow. I even worked out today.

God is good, but never dance in a small boat. ~Irish Saying

2010-01-16T17:02:00.001-07:00

The soul would have no rainbow had the eyes no tears. ~John Vance Cheney

2010-01-09T22:19:00.004-07:00

It wasn't easy, but I made it to MN to be with my family. It was a quick trip surrounded by emotion. Things went better than I expected, but tragedy had pierced us deep. My family has had little tragedy. We have fought cancer, battled back from injury/accidents, divorce, had kids in the ICU, but I don't recall anything quite as gut wrenching as this.

So many are angered and feel they have been cheated. She filled a large spot in everyone's heart. She was my aunt. She babysat me, had me over for sleepovers, she made me a poster in art class that I hung in my room for several years (cat got your tounge-**of course**), she took me on a trip to see my aunt Pat and Uncle Barry, we shared a paino, she let me come over every monday after paino lessons, she let me watch her cable TV and recorded movies for us to watch. She recorded Adventures in Babysitting for us and even edited out the stabbing part because it was too violent. She came visit me in WY and made trips to visit me and meet me in MN. She was beautiful and funny and young.

We were given a blessing when she entered our lives and touched our hearts. I think I need to remember that I was blessed and still am and not be angered that my blessings have changed. Sometimes things are what they are, even though we don't understand it. Sometimes when God gives you something--"you get what you get and don't throw a fit." Just be happy we got to have her for 47 years instead of not at all. I tell my kids that all the time--we need to appreciate what we have and not so much about what we don't, especially when we can't change it.

The trip home wasn't much better. LeaAnn got a crack in her windshield, I hit a pheasant with her car and everyone at home including Chris had been sick. So this year is starting out a little rougher than I had anticipated--but it can only get better.

Which by the way. We had a good new year's. We had some friends over for supper and watched Travis Pastrana jump his car. Later that night my in-laws arrived for a couple of days of post christmas celebration, sledding in the big horns and just letting the kids play with eachother. It was a great time. In the past few years I have not had overly specific resolutions, but have been naming my years according to what I need to do. 2008=change 2009=nurture and 2010=growth (business, faith, family etc.) I have outlined it and everything so even though this year is starting out slower than planned I think its going to be a great year with many wonderful things to come.

Death a friend that alone can bring the peace his treasures cannot purchase, and remove the pain his physicians cannot cure. ~Mortimer Collins

2010-01-08T14:19:00.007-07:00

My Aunt Miriram was amazing and very fun to be around. I am at a loss for words as I am deeply sadened by her loss. Please keep her family in your prayers.

Miriam Faye Schneider

1962-2010

Miriam Faye Schneider, 47, of Adams MN, died in her home on Wednesday, Jan 6, 2010.

She was born on Sept. 29, 1962, in Austin MN to Harlan and Virginia (Wood) Rogne. Miriam graduated from Southland High School in 1981. On Sept. 18th 1982 she married John Schneider at St. John's Lutheran Church in Elkton MN. Miriam worked at the Adams Health Care Center. In her spare time she liked to go to concerts, cook, bake and take photographs. She enjoyed all animals, in particular the family pets. She also enjoyed collecting angels and traveling. Miriam especially loved to spend time with friends and family.

Miriam is preceeded in death by her parents Harlan and Virginia Rogne, and her brother Marshall Rogne. She is survived by her husband John Schneider, Adams, MN; children, Miranda Schneider, Woodbury, MN., Travis Schneider, Bismark ND., Alison Schneider, Rochester, MN; siblings Robert and Nancy Rogne, Marietta GA, Bruce and Deb Rogne, Rochester MN, James and Dianne Rogne, Austin, MN, Dennis and Joyce Rogne, Cresco IA, Barry and Pat Rogne, Northfield MN, Dixie and Glen Rose Adams, MN, Ray Rogne, Austin MN, ; many nieces and nephews.

Funeral service will be at 1pm Saturday January 9th 2010 at Church of Christ with Pastor David DeFor officiating. Interment will be at Little Cedar Lutheran Cemetary, Adams, MN

pics

2009-12-26T11:09:00.026-07:00

Merry Christmas to everyone!! I hope you all are having a great holiday! Here are just a few of the pictures I have taken in the last four weeks. We have been super busy. The pic above is our Christmas dinner. It was the only pic I took on Christmas cuz I was busy fiddeling with other christmas gifts to think of taking more.

Zoey had a birthday party at McDonald's. She turned 5 and was very proud to wear her TinkerBell Party badge all day. This party of course was after the school christmas parties.

I got her an icecream cake since I forgot the icecream at Isaac's party. Not like Dairy Queen--this was vanilla icecream sandwiched between two layers of regular chocolate cake.

Four days after we came back from Colorado the kids both participated in the church christmas program. Zoey was a sheep and Isaac was a shepard.

The day after we got back from Colorado was Zoey's Birthday. We put up a christmas tree and let Zoey open some of her gifts.

I took Isaac and Zoey back to MN for Thanksgiving. We got to spend some time with my nieces and nephews.
I got to attend my class reunion.

Found out Grandpa had a twin--who freaked us out most of the night.
I ate at least three thanksgiving dinners.

But this year Dad got to sit at the kids table!

About a week or so after we came back from MN we visited Denver via Leer Jet. This is Zoey on the last day with Ronald McDonald. It was a great place to stay. Do please make sure that when you go through the drive through to let your change go into the money drop. It is worth it.

Zoey had a great vacation. She got to go to the Imax theater and to the Zoo lights. She played with all kinds of toys in all the play areas at the Ronald McDonald house and of course couldn't stop jumping on the bed.
Nothing better than giant toys

Isaac hooked up to a ventalator, heart monitor, NG tube, two IVs, a pic line and a catheter. He was sedated, paralyzed and on several medications.

This vest was put on him twice a day. It inflated with air and jiggled him around to get the crud out of his lungs.

There are most of his monitors.

This was another breathing treatment--where this thing sort of pounded the crud out of lungs.
Isaac right after he got his tube out. Still in restraints. Not sure what else to narate here. You know the story and it was crazy. But we literally went from this to nothing. He went right back to school and he has zero side effects from this whole ordeal. We were blessed to have great staff and to have only needed to be there a week.

While we try to teach our children all about life, our children teach us what life is all about.~Angela Schindt

2009-12-20T13:19:00.003-07:00

Just wanted to give a heads up. I am soon going to be posting a lot of pictures again. Thanksgiving, class reunion, Zoey's birthday and I'll probably sneak some in of Isaac and his ordeal. I just wanted you to know before you look and there's a sick Isaac.

The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other. ~Burton Hillis

2009-12-14T22:19:00.003-07:00

It is great to blog from my own computer again. Once Isaac was on his way to recovery things have moved quickly. Chris spent the night with Isaac at the hospital. I got up early to finish laundry. I figured I had until almost noon. But my little guy wanted out. He was released at 8:15 am and walked from the hospital to the Ronald McDonald House! But the four of us were back together again:) It took Ike and I an hour to get to Denver and 6 hours to drive back to Gillette. The ride went well--even with all his aches and pains Isaac still ate well and tollerated the trip. It was so good to be home and then I pretty much freaked out. I knew this was a one time thing but we were sent home with no meds, there were no doctors or nurses checking his vitals or listening to his lungs every couple of hours, no machines to beep at me if something was wrong. I suggested that I sleep in his room as Chris and I had done all week. It was difficult to go from all to nothing. I am so happy to report that Isaac is very healthy and smiling and eating well and getting stronger everyday. He is pretty much back to his normal self minus some aches and pains from not moving for a week. He had a check up today and everything was fine. He misses his friends at school and will start with a half day tomorrow. I sent Zoey to daycare today while Isaac and I had mostly a doc day. But we made time to make cookies together and it was fabulous.

Thank you to everyone who sent prayers and well wishes--we needed everyone of them. Thank you to all who called, all who offered their help, to all who reached out to us when we needed support the most. We have been very blessed with lots of fabulous friends and family:) We feel blessed that this ordeal only lasted a week and didn't have any lasting effects. Thank you again.

In the mean time my daughter turned 5!! We told her that Sunday was her birthday and that Friday will be her party day. We did eat out that night and I have to say (again) that it was a great day to celebrate:)

2009-12-10T21:28:00.000-07:00

So Isaac is finally out of the PICU and it is fabulous!!! His face is pretty chapped from all the tape but everything is off. He only has his pic line and pulse ox. Not several IVs and several monitors just one small monitor for his heart rate, bloodpressure and O2. It is so wierd. Everything is so quiet and he won't have respiratory every few hours--they are done with the treatments. He does not have a restricted diet so he is eating food as his tummy tolerates. You can tell by looking at him that he has not eaten or moved for five days. Unfortunatey, they gave him quite a bit of strong narcotics for five days and now he has none. His body is freaking out and he says he doesn't feel like himself. Its strange to see him go from all to nothing. If things go well we are hoping to go home in a day or two.

He's on his way back!

2009-12-09T22:29:00.002-07:00

Time to blog once again. I spent the night with Isaac last night and for the most part it was pretty uneventful. His stats continued to get better. They had taken him off the paralytic so he was moving more often. At one point he even thought he might want to watch Spongebob. Today was anticipated to be the same. We were hoping and praying that with one more day of sleep then may be we could get the breathing tube out.

We had the operating room scheduled for 6pm. Chris was hanging out with Ike while my stomache was doing flips waiting with Zoey. The Doc was looking to see if everything was structurally sound, how much inflammation was still in there and if it was appropriate to take the breathing tube out. Isaac did not need surgery to correct any structural problems. He still has some inflammation which his meds will take care of and they took out the breathing tube. So things went really well. With the seditives he has been on and the annesthesia I really didn't anticipate him being alert so soon. I am now at the hospital with him and things are entirely different. Not easier at all what so ever but different. The very first thing he asked for was a snack. Well he has to wait so long after annesthesia to have ice chips. His first bummer. So he asked if we could go home. He really wants to leave but you can't just go from ICU to home so bummer number 2. And with the amnesia meds we gave him he doesn't even know why he is in the hospital. He's mad at me for not feeding him and not bringing him home so he cried and wouldn't be nice to the nurses. The respiratory therapist came in to give him a breathing treatment and he rolled away from her tucked his face away and plugged his nose. We all explained that if he wants to go home he needs tx to get better to go home. He thinks we are still just a few blocks from home:(

Currently he has fallen back asleep. You can hear him breath outside him room. He is only using a nasal canula for O2. He still has his heart monitors hooked up, his bloodpressure cuff and pulse ox. He still has his feeding tube in (but never actually used it cuz it takes forever to properly put in.GGRRRR). They took out the IV in his hand but left the one in his left elbow. He sill has his pic line and that will probably be one of the last things to go. He is still cathed but he can get that out as soon as we can get him standing. He is still on antibiotics and IV nutrition. He is still getting the vest thingy and the pounder thingy every couple of hours to shake out mucus from his lungs. Stats on his own so far seem great. So he looks beeter. Its nice to see his face again even though it will be marked up for a while. I am so glad they readjusted his feeding tube cuz even though his nurse Ben, was a great nurse--the tube pulled his nose to the side and the tape pulled down his bottom eyelid. OH and another super good thing is he is no longer restrained. He is free to move and get himself comfy in bed. He looks much better but is sad and mad so it still makes me want to cry just as much as when he was immobilized. I am just so thankful his doing better and we are looking at getting out of the intensive care unit(hopefully tomorrow) and onto the pediatric floor. Without setbacks we should be looking at going home soon. Guess I shouldn't jump so far ahead but we want to be home just as much as Ike does. He sure is going to be surprized at how long it will take to get home!

Sorry about the typos. Possibly I'll fix them when I get to a computer.

Happy Unbirthday Zoey

2009-12-08T19:22:00.002-07:00

It sucks that Zoey's birthday is in the middle of all this. We were not planning to celebrate her birthday on her birthday anyway cuz Chris works Sundays. But I have rescheduled the cake for Friday after we get back to Gillette so that she won't feel that she missed out or that something else was more important. But I thank god that she is still young so she won't know her birthday is getting postponed 5 days. She will be pissed if you tell her her party is being moved. So please don't. Chris and I both have told her that she needs to act big to get a birthday party and I don't want her to feel like she did anything wrong. But with her presents and cake still in Gillette it will have to be next Friday. Thanks

could it get any colder?????

2009-12-08T13:30:00.001-07:00

BBRRRRRR.....It is so cold outside. I think the weather guy said only negative one but it feels more like Gillette's current -17. And the thing is its cold everywhere. Its cold at the Ronald McDonald House and its freezing in Isaac's room. Chris sleeps with three blankets on and he is still cold. Isaac on the other hand doesn't like to be covered up so therefore he is not.

I was nervous to leave him last night. He had such a rough morning and even though he had started out well on his way to recovery-yesterday was a bad day. But Chris and I needed some time to talk to eachother so we ate supper together at the Ronald McDonald house with supper provided by DeVry University. Afterward Chris went to stay with Isaac while I took Zoey duty. This morning was laundry day so Zoey and I found some breakfast and did a couple loads of laundry. We spent some time in the different playrooms. She does not miss her brother or so she says. Really its a lot like living in the dorms except that I brought a lot less stuff with me. I am not used to preparing breakfast with three other families in the kitchen but Zoey plays in the playroom with the other kids while I try and figure out where everything is. McDonalds provided lunch today so I had Chris swap out with me then so we could each eat.

It felt wierd being away from Isaac for so long but things went well last night. Yesterday they took him off the paralytic so even though he is still sleeping he can hear us and sometimes respond a little. Because of this they make sure that his restraints are on tight enough that he can't mess with all the tubes. They started him on some IV nutrition through his pic line. They changed out the NG tube which is a nasal gastric tube that kept yucky things out of his stomach and traded it for a TP tube which goes from his nose to the intestine so they can start feeding him that way instead. He has an infection that is secondary to the the croup and he is on good antibiotics for that. His stats are back up today. He is on 40% O2 instead of 100% like yesterday. His heart rate, breathing and blood pressure are back to normal limits. I am still praying for the tube to come out tomorrow night but the doc thinks it will take til thursday or friday before his lungs are clear enough and he doesn't require as much oxygen.

So I bundled up today to walk the three blocks to the hospital and it was so cold out that my fingers wouldn't move by the time I got here. I answered three or four phone calls and as I am hanging up my cell phone and answering the room phone Isaac wakes up and sits straight up in the bed. AAHHH what do I do? He shouldn't be moving and really you would think that with all the stuff he's tied to he wouldn't be able to. FREAK. ME. OUT. I yelled for a nurse --my hands were full putting down the phones and holding down Ike at the same time so I didn't even think to push the call button. Thankfully nothing was undone and he is sedated again.

2009-12-07T15:29:00.000-07:00

When Isaac and I first arrived in Denver we were still a ways from the hospital. So we split up. Isaac got a fabulous helicopter ride while I took a cab. The air crew had called ahead for me and the cab was right there waiting for me. The cab driver was a man from India wearing a blue turbin. He was a chatty fellow telling me not only how my insurance works but how in India only the rich get treated. He was so impressed with how there is no discrimination in regards to who gets treated. He also let me know that I should pray for my children and husband. I was very unware that men are not allowed to pray for their families and that was a job reserved only for women. He noted that I should have prayed in the plane cuz the air was clear up there without dirty souls (plus I would have been closer to God).

This is day three of Isaac being in the picu (pediatric intensive care unit). Yesterday was a really good day. Isaac seemed very healthy and even the nurses were amazed at how good he was for being in the picu. Chris and Zoey drove down through some snowy weather and it was great to see them. The social worker stopped in right away and gave me a few vouchers for the cafeteria and set us up at the Ronald McDonald house. I was really surprised at how wonderful it is. Our room is very similar to a hotel room but the house itself has a very large kitchen where we can keep our food and they also have some community items which was helpful since we have not been anywhere other than the hospital yet. Zoey is having so much fun there she doesn't even want to leave. They have TV, movies, books, toys, games, a Wii, an X Box. And I think Zoey is a little upset there is no swimming pool but for $15 a night I have no complaints. Once they got here Chris and I were able to swap out. He stayed with Ike overnight while I took a shower and changed out of the clothes I had been wearing for 2 days. Sleeping in a bed didn't hurt anything either.

Today is a different day. Early this morning they were able to change out his tube for one that is much more appropriate for his 7 year old size. He quickly gained an infection in his lungs which caused his lungs (especially on the left) to fully fill with a thick white mucus. This caused all of his stats to decline and was very difficult to maintain. We had a pulmonologist come in and clean out his lungs. The junk plugged her scope. But his chest is clear again and his stats have returned. After that we gave him a pic line so that we don't have to poke at him so much. The 2 IVs he already has will stay for now. So now I am sitting in a cool dark room trying to just let him relax from his big day. He will now need to keep the tube in longer due to the lung infection. Honestly I can't wait for respiratory to come in and beat the snot out of him. Litteraly. This is good massage and I want to see it work first hand.

My phone is charged now so I take calls on my cell phone if you have any questions. Ike isn't all that talkative so I don't mind the calls.

Isaac

2009-12-06T00:22:00.000-07:00

So Here's the Scoop. Isaac got a cough about Friday when we were in MN no other symptoms. On wed after we came back he was not doing so great. His breathing became labored, he lost his voice and he threw up. He was in the hospital for almost 24 hours, but was sent home feeling great. No school Thrusday/Friday and icecream often. Friday night he didn't sleep much. Some due to coughing, a lot cuz he said his teeth hurt (another absess). By morning his breathing sometimes was good sometimes not. I wanted to just get more steroids but can't on the weekend. So I kept asking him how he felt and by noon he had quite a bit of strider (seeing those muscles work for breath). We went back to the ER but this time the medicaions did not work. I suppose they did work, but not nearly as effectively and he had two breathing treatments and a couple kinds of intravenous steroids and his breathing was still terrible. So we called in the specialist. We all were very concerned that he was getting enough O2 but not pushing out enough carbon dioxide which was making him sleepy and do wierd things also because we were not opening up his airway we were concerned that we should protect the airway with a tube. If we waited we might not be able to get one in at all concidering how swollen he already was. Putting in the tube was a surgical procedure and went well but they did have to use more of an infant tube due to the lack of diameter in his throat. Yes I want to protect his airway. But what they don't tell you is what being on an airway really means. Such as 7 year olds should not be intebated for croup therefor we have to be life flighted to denver so they can A)find out exactly what is causing this inflammation B)give him better drugs to reduce inflammation in his throat and C)remove the tube without complicaions. Gillette does not really have a pulmonary program of any kind which is why not only are we here but one of my personal training clients had bilateral blood clots in his lungs and he wants me to get him back to work by the 20th. Crazy huh? So we waited for the Leer Jet to come pick us up. It is the smallest vehicle I have ever seen and was a little nervous. Honestly I was surprised we got all six of us in there, but it was a good ride. I even got snacks and better yet they gave Isaac the best care he's had yet. He was doted on every minute. So now that we are here I now realize that protecting his airway means a lot of scary yucky things and all are done to create a perfectly controlled situation. He is sedated and paralized and restrained so that he won't mess up or pull out the tube. He has a machine breathing for him to help him rest and make sure that the carbon dioxide is not building up in him. He has an NG (sorry I'm not too medical at 1am) down his nose to prevent bad things from going into his stomache. He is cathed. He has an IV in his Left arm and his right hand and has been pricked more times than I can count today. It took three nurses and three different pokes to get his first IV started and it was difficult to get him poked just right for his blood gasses. He dislikes that part so much that even after they sedated him they had to give him extra meds before poking cuz he would wiggle and squirm when they just used the alcohol wipe. So really things look tons and tons worse than they are. Oh yeah and he had a c collar on to restrict head movement (so not to mess up the tube) and now they are mostly just using towl rolls. We are hoping to get the tube out in the next day or two. But I have no idea when we get to go home. I really think it should fit into my schedule but have a feeling it will take a lot longer. Like when they told me Wed that he would just be there overnight and I'm thinking oh he'll leave right away in the am but he was there til 4:30pm. He has been fabulous throughout the whole thing. He is tough and as long as you don't stick him with a needle or put a tube down his nose while he is napping he will be his fabulous self. Its tough to watch. He has been through so much and I just want him better and smiling again.

Happy Thaksgiving!

2009-12-02T23:21:00.001-07:00

So as it turns out I don't really like to blog from my phone. Don't really know why--I do everything else from my phone.

I have had an insane week or two--I don't know how long its been. Isaac had a fun thanksgiving program and most got to see the video when we went back to minnesota. The trip was great. I haven't celebrated thanksgiving with anyone except Isaac and Zoey in the last eight years so it was a bit overwelming to have four celebrations. Very yummy:). Also while I was there I had my 15 year class reunion and that was fun.

However, while we were there Isaac got his usual MN cough. I thought nothing of it and figured it would be gone by now. I didn't give him any meds today and he didn't get sent to the nurse's office for a mint to calm his cough. Well I went to pick him up from Active Kids and he was crying and freaking out cuz he lost his voice. His breathing wasn't great, but I calmed him down and we went home. The doc's office was closed, but I got the ER to call her. We decided to start steroids in the morning for croup. Well he threw up and had another lack of breathing attack all while not being able to talk to us. So we went to the ER, had a breathing treatment and a few xrays. I find the whole "let's stay at the hospital" thing incredibly irritating. I suppose its not to be fun so you don't want to come back soon but come on. The ER wasn't bad but the nurses on the floor could really be more attentive. I know we are not the only ones here, but could they attempt to get things done when we get up here? They said they would bring in his meds and a popsicle (since he has had nothing to eat since lunch)right away before he is sleeping for the night. Two hours later (after 11pm she brings the meds and of course has to wake him)and doesn't bring him a thing to eat. What time does she think a sick 7 year old goes to sleep? She aslo told me she would bring a cot-I told her it would be fine when she suggested it but I really don't think its comming (got a pillow and blanket at 12:30). And since I'm venting--its freezing in here, cartoons weren't on while Ike was awake, the shows I wanted to watch were over after he fell asleep and I still get to clean up after him. I have to wonder if they would have even known he threw up if I hadn't said anything. Also if he is taped to a pulse ox-- is it really necessary to wake him every couple of hours to take it on the other hand? Really? However, as frustrated as I am, Ike is doing much better now than when we came in. He has croup and his airway is pretty swollen. We are going to swab him in the morning to make sure he doesn't also have strep.Hopefully he will have a good night and most of the inflammation in his throat will go down by the morning so he can go home. But probably a couple days off school. He has been great even though plenty freaked out. Don't think I'll sleep much and just watch reruns of the late shows.

you fill my heart with happy

2009-11-14T21:48:00.000-07:00

Isaac had conferences this week. I hate report cards because I think they mark him too low on things I KNOW he knows. But they do it because its early in the year. So I go all fired up just so they can tell me that he is right where he should be. He is in excelerated math, but wasn't able to get into the gate program this year because they cut the numbers of kids who could go. Only 4 from each classroom. His teacher encouraged the kids to attend conferences, but it really confused him. He was convinced that he needed to attend conferences and since they were on thursday and friday he wouldn't believe us that he had any days off from school. He was pretty concerned. The other night I heard him wish upon a star. When he was finished he told me he had made a wish and I asked if he could tell me what it was. He wished for a weiner dog that would go to school with him and the ability to jump as high as houses so that if anyone gets a ball stuck up there he could just jump up and get it. His face has healed up from his bike crash earlier this fall, but fell again at the Rec Center-- two days before christmas pictures! When Ike told the dentist that he falls a lot he really wasn't exagerating.

Zoey Lynn has been doing well also. The other day it started to snow and she says "Mom, its raining white gumballs!". Yesterday we were driving to Solem's and she noticed christmas angels in someone's yard. "Mom, I really saw angels!! They weren't invisible!". She was extremely impressed. Today we went to a princes birthday party and I have been surprized lately at how concerned she is about accessorizing. She does like to dress up and make sure she has her rockstar purple hair, tierras, rings, earings, bracelets, neclaces, shoes--the whole nine yards. She is unofficially done with speech which is great. She stills has to be reassesed in Jan, but no forseeable issues.

This is going to be a crazy week with something going on every night. The first graders have a thanksgiving program on mon, Zoey starts ice skating lessons this week, christmas program practice for church starts this week. While I don't have any set in stone holiday plans--I have a feeling that the next six weeks are going to fly by and 2010 will be here before I am ready!

After eating chocolate you feel godlike, as though you can conquer enemies, lead armies, entice lovers. ~Emily Luchetti

2009-11-01T21:37:00.010-07:00

So here is the pic of Isaac's cake I forgot to post earlier. He was pretty impressed.

Friday night we carved pumpkins.

These are all in backwards order. But this is Miss Candy dressed up for the Halloween party at Just 4 Kids reading them a story.

They played some musical chairs.

Played a little bean bag toss.

Earlier in the week we went to Fright Night at the Library. It was fun for the kids. Zoey dressed up as TinkerBell that night. For her school party she dressed up as Spiderman. But they had face painting that day so she was Spiderman with a clown face. They also got to paint pumpkins.

Later that same afternoon we stopped by Isaac's party. They had treats and read a pumpkin story.

The night of Halloween Zoey chose to dress up as a firefighter. Isaac LOVED being Anikin Skywalker! Looks like Dorothy and a pink kitty cat stopped by for some candy. Too bad Chris still had it in his truck while he was turkey hunting. We went to a party hosted by one of Isaac's friends. We went trick or treating just along Tonk which was more than enough to get the kids candy. Afterward we went to a friend's house for pizza and movies. The weather was nice, we didn't even have to wear winter gear!

Here's his antelope.

And Zoey with it too!

A lot of this and that going on. Work is busy, plus I just put in my first grant so I can run some more fitness programs. I don't yet know if I will actually get the money.

The other day Zoey was going on and on about moving back to MT. Isaac says "Just let her go Mom."

That same day I was dropping Isaac off at school and making sure he had all his winter gear. His hat was on his head but he couldn't find his mittens. I was slightly annoyed, but as he got out of the car I noticed his head was very oddly shaped--"Isaac what is in your hat?" He looked and was excited to find his mittens.

theres a little more

2009-10-21T19:51:00.000-06:00

I just didn't want anyone to miss Isaac's birthday pics. Of course I forgot to post the cake--it'll come. But its 2 posts down and I think it got booted out due to my long windedness.

My hand is fine. And Zoey's temp was so low today my thermometer kept beeping at me and wouldn't take her temp. She's doing great.

If you don't like how things are, change it! You're not a tree. ~Jim Rohn

2009-10-19T16:45:00.002-06:00

This is my random blog of the day. Not that I do that as often, but here it is.

So last night I was soundly sleeping, having a really wierd dream when all of a sudden I wake to pain in my hand that feels as though I have just drug it through shards of glass. I wake up rather loudly and turn on the light. I go through my pillows and blankets to see what was so stinkin sharp, but found nothing. I go to the bathroom to figure out what is going on with my hand and see nothing poking out of it or anything deep inside. I look for the antiseptic wash, but can't find it. As I have my hand in the air and am watching it swell up with pain, my fingers going numb--I notice it may be a bug bite. So I go back into the bedroom, turn on the light and ask a sleeping Chris if it looks like a bug bite. Sure he says. I kinda just keep staring at it, wondering why I can't find the wash that is supposed to take the pain away. I wonder if I should put some hydrocortizone on it and finally manage to make myself an ice pack. It hurt, but mostly I was freaked out cuz I had no idea what had just happened to my hand and I kept thinking it was a spider bite and my hand was going to fall off or I was going to die or something. Well Chris kicks me out of bed, cuz he is worried that bringing an ice pack to bed will at some point leak and be uncomfortable so I go lay on the couch, which is good anyhow, cuz I don't know what happend and REALLY don't want it to happen again. Shortly thereafter, Chris says" I think I know what bit you." I wanted to know, but was worried about the spider thing. It was a wasp. I don't know how we got a wasp in our room or why he was crawling around us, but he officially died and was tossed in the trash. I could finally lay in my bed without worry of death. It still hurt, but I could deal with a wasp sting later when I was ready to be up.

Zoey has decided what she wants to be when she grows up. Which is much more than I have done. She wants to be a doctor, a veternarian AND the most important a rockstar!! I told her she would be very busy. But she plans on living at home with me so who knows may be I'll still get to see her on holidays or something.

Isaac has been into starwars lately. He is going to be Anikin Skywalker for halloween and is starting to collect the characters so he can play starwars all the time. He also likes Bacugone ( I totally misspelled that also) but he loves those things. I can't really explain what they are, but I think they give you status at school.

Zoey has one up on me as she knows what she wants to be when she grows up. I am always frustrated and trying to balance things out. I don't know. I would just stay home with the kids, but they have school during the day and I can pay more bills if I work. This month has been all about the business. I put paypal on my website so customers can purchase packages and gift certificates from the web. I will be starting Free Consultation Friday in November. I got a beautiful sign put up at the golf course. Tomorrow I will have a booth at the Taste of Home show and Friday I have been invited to a health fair. In addition to all that I still want to do performance enhancement. I really like working with the kids and if I didn't have my own, this would really take over my life. Anyway, I am in the process of filling out a grant so the kids of Gillette can join my program for free. Its going to be such a great program, but I am trying to schedule after school programs around my own kids afterschool programs and that is interesting, but keeps things in perspective.

Well I gotta go--I have to make supper before I go give a massage. I did have to redue my schedule today as Zoey has a cough and yesterday she had a nasty fever. Isaac has gotten the cough, but no fever. Hopefully they both will stay fabulously healthy!!!

I brought children into this dark world because it needed the light that only a child can bring. ~Liz Armbruster, on robertbrault.com

2009-10-19T10:29:00.013-06:00

Isaac has had a fabulous month of birthdays. Grandpa Wayne came out for a hunting trip during the first week of October and brought with him presents from all the family. Thank you very much, Grandpa Wayne.

Isaac brought cupcakes that he decorated to school with him on the day of his birthday. He got to wear a birthday crown all day and he was delightfully happy. We rented the party room at Skateland this year. They provided the pizza, pop, plates, napkins, forks, cups ect. I figured that way I would less likely to forget stuff like last year. So I packed up candles, the camera, the video camera, the ice cream scoop and a knife to cut apart the cupcakes. I thought I was doing well. I remembered to buy the ice cream when I picked up the cake, but forgot to actually bring the ice cream with. Chris had to go out and save the day.

Everyone had fun skating. Well there were a couple of kids that didn't want to skate, but everyone had fun and no one broke there ankle or anything.

One thing I forgot to think about was the whole boy girl thing. I knew last year that the boys chased the girls and whatnot. But I forgot. And I didn't know that one of the girls we invited was Ryan's girlfriend last year and she definately still has a crush on him. Everyone seemed to get a chance to hold his hand.

I really can't believe that he is 7! It seems like yesterday that he totally surprized me with his early arrival. He has grown so much and is a fabulous person to have around. I am so proud of him!!! He likes to play soccer and has joined the Squad, which is a music group that sings and will put on performances during the school year. He is still doing very well in school and will be starting the Gate Program again this year.

Zoey's new phrase is "Did you not notice?" Not always sure why, but she says it all the time. She has been learning her letters and numbers and can't wait to learn how to read. I so wish I was a better teacher, but there are reasons why I don't home school.

Isaac's new phase is "Mom, you just don't understand." to which I reply, "Yes, I understand everything, just because I say no-- doesn't mean I don't know what you want."

2009-10-14T13:55:00.000-06:00

I don't know that I have a minute to blog- won't know til I try. I'm waiting for a client. Things are always busy at the Soost house. We have been to the magic show, the pumpkin festival, a nature walk through the arboredum. Isaac had a friend over for a sllep over. Chris and Wayne went hunting for 9 days on the other side of the state in Pinedale. Unfortunately, they mostly just got snowed on.We also got snowed on for about 6 days in a row. We got a good 6 inches to start which shredded all of Gillette's trees. We still have not been able to clean up the town. I think it stopped snowing about Mon or Tues and today is warm and sun shiny with 60-70's in the forcast for the weekend. We might be able to have our deck party after all. Isaac went to a birthday party last weekend, we celebrated Sydney's birthday yesterday and Ike is having a rollerskating birthday party on friday. With a batman cupcake cake. And of course hunting on saturday. Isaac's reading is comming along well and getting 105% on his spelling tests. Zoey still thinks she should be able to do anything her big bro can and is very determined to read also. She does well with the letters and numbers at preschool, but I don't know if I have the patience to teach her how to read. I miss Montana's Montessori school so much. With them I could be such a lazy parent and no one wuld ever know--cuz they did such a good job. Enough about my Blah blah blah-- gotta go. Have a cheery day!!

A wedding anniversary is the celebration of love, trust, partnership, tolerance and tenacity. The order varies for any given year. ~Paul Sweeney

2009-09-26T20:41:00.013-06:00

1993-1 year after we met.

Sept. 24, 1999 (7 years after we met)

Sept.24, 2009 (17 years after we met and 10 years of marriage)

We beautifully expanded in that 10 years of marriage.

I can't believe I waited this long to blog! I have been so extremely antisipating our 10 year anniversary. We made it!! I totally can't even describe my feelings for this. I am just so happy.

We really didn't do anything out of the ordinary. But these days getting a babysitter is out of the ordinary and it was fabulous to dress up (even though I didn't feel like I had the time I needed to do a full girl work over) and go out and just be excited. We did have supper out and saw a movie. I got a large arrangement of flowers. I also got a new water heater since ours was leaking water all over the floor and that is always romantic too. So since I was thinking about all our years together and everything we have been through I did a little blog page with music, pics and how we met. Of course because it is on blogger it is totally backwards and really you should read it from the bottom up. chris-n-jara.blogspot.com

[T]he way he treats his body, you’d think he was renting. ~Robert Brault,

2009-09-22T13:21:00.005-06:00

Working as a personal trainer and being in the health care field, I often get asked questions about nutrition. Unfortunately, I am not a dietitian or a nutritionist. I was however, a dietary aide once when I lived in Farmington. Anyway, I know several people who have tried different cleanses. There are so many ways to clean out your system, some bad, some good, some weird, you really have to be careful.

So back to the point. I experimented on myself. I had a client ask me about the General Motors diet plan. I still need my nutritionist to look it over and tell me how bad it is, but I figured why not try it and actually experience a set diet for 7 days and see what happens. I have never been on any certain name brand eating program and I was really hoping to lose cravings for the junk that I so dearly love to eat. Which was something I had heard happens from people who had done cleanses regardless of which one they tried. And I have to say that I didn't much enjoy it. This particular program lets you eat as much as you want, so I was never hungry, but in order to flush your system you start basic and with LOTS of water. I don't like to drink water. The first day was fruit. I love fruit so I made this huge fruit salad. This was the day I actually detoxed. I knew what day I was going to start this program so I kinda binged the day before. Probably not the best idea. I was extremely nauseous. Day two I felt much better and it was veggie day. Again a good day and I supplemented with the wonder soup they suggest. The only down fall was that Isaac had been asking me to eat lunch with him and I about broke his heart telling him I couldn't go. So I went on pizza day, like he wanted me to and only ate veggies. Day three is fruit and veggies. Still not hungry, but those chips in the cupboard look scrumptious and I have not had a Mountain Dew in THREE DAYS! Day four is bananas and milk. I so totally cheated on this day. I feel bad. However, it was because Chris had made breakfast for everyone and I thought he would feel unappreciated if I didn't eat any of his biscuits and gravy. Day five was beef and tomatoes. Yummy!! Day six beef and veggies and day seven was fruit juice, brown rice (which I skipped) and veggies. At this point all I could think about is the fabulous food I would eat the next day and not feel like a cheater. And also how active I would have to be to not gain weight back if I really wanted to eat all that other stuff. Day eight, I am no longer on the program. I am supposed to wake up feeling lighter and healthier and just plain fabulous. It seemed like such a long week!!! But here are the tips I have about this cleans and eating in general.

This was good for my system. It did get rid of toxins in my system. After I worked out today I did go right out and buy a Mountain Dew. I was so excited to drink it out of habit, but it tasted really gross. I was incredibly disappointed, that I might rather drink some water with lemon in it. But that was the whole point.

I liked that it was easy to follow. It included almost all food groups, but lacked in dairy (which you get three glasses of milk on day 4) and fats. Generally you should get 15-20% of fats in your diet too for healthy brain function and of course to protect those precious little organs of yours.

The wonder soup was super yummy and I recommend that you try it.I think that if you are on weight watchers point system it should be worth zero points.

This particular program claimed to lose 10-17 pounds in one week. That is the MOST RIDICULOUS thing I have ever heard! Please don't lose more than 2 pounds per week unless instructed by your physician. I did lose more than that, but less than the 10 pounds they promised and probably because I enjoyed a biscuit with scrumptious gravy on banana day.

When in doubt eat according to the glycemic index. It prevents diabetes and if you are already diabetic you pretty much have to eat that way anyhow. It just shows you how to utilize complex and simple carbs without eliminating any good foods.

Remember diet is what you EAT and not what you DON'T EAT.

Eat the most when you are busy. Eat a big breakfast and not so much at night. Timing is almost as essential as what you are eating. If you are working out ( and you should be) always eat IMMEDIATELY after. Not only are you going to burn the calories, but it will increase your energy.

If you don't want to drastically change how you are eating, feel you will miss your favorite food. Then don't give it up. Look at what you are eating and see what needs to be added. Do you need more grains, are you really getting all your fruits and veggies. Try adding instead of taking away.

The early bird gets the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese. ~Author Unknown

2009-09-19T17:36:00.018-06:00

The house when we bought it. Chris had to add the landing outside the kitchen door before we could even buy it.

Zoey on the tire swing.

Looking down the cat walk to the main deck.

Chris has a nice nook for his grill now.

The finished deck.

Even I can still get on a horse. Crazy, I know!!

JO and Zoey.

Zoey on Willy. This is the horse she fell from. Not one of the tall ones. She's tough though.

Isaac and Zoey on the first day of school.

Zoey on her first day at preschool.

Isaac showing off his new batman backpack.

Isaac on his first day of first grade. OMG a grade!!!

New pictures, old pictures, random pictures. And probably since blogger loads them backwards, no particular order. I just like to confuse everyone. And we all know that someday when I look back at this someone will have questions and I won't remember, cuz its not in order.

If you are wondering there is no major news. We have been staying busy with school, speech therapy, two kids in soccer and me attempting to coach it. I did lose a kid last week. She really wanted to play on the other field with the other two teams. I had to run after her and she really wanted to be over there so just asking her to come back didn't work. I had to catch her and bring her back. We have been hanging out with neighbors and Isaac is going to be having a few weeks of having friends over for a sleep over. We have officially finished the deck. Of course there are still little things to do like redo the siding and touch up paint on the deck and we were one board short for the stairs. But it is fully functional and Jara is super happy!! Zoey got sick last night, but already is starting to feel better. Hope she didn't share.

If you come to a fork in the road, take it. ~Yogi Berra

2009-09-04T23:20:00.002-06:00

Zoey's appointment went well. I think? She is 3feet 6 inches tall and in the 90th percentile for height. She is 36 pounds and in the 50th percentile for weight. I finally asked about the discoloration on her left arm and we are clearing that right up with a bit of cream. Who knew it would be so easy to take care of. Also the doctor heard a heart murmur, both in sitting and supine positions. I don't really know what that means, since Isaac's closed up on its own and she says that 90% are benign. I'll have to let you know if anything comes of that.