It was better

Church today was not as hard for me. I am so glad! I bet it sounds silly though, saying that it was hard and is hard for me to go to our ward when I'm no longer the Primary President. I do know that it is getting easier, but still hard.

Debbie Carter was released today as the Young Women's President. She was called to that a week after my call. We served together loving it all and loving each other. She did an amazing job and I know that she changed lives.

I feel so blessed to be a part of a church where I get the opportunity to grow and learn the way I do.

But boy, do I miss those kids.

I feel like each of them were my own.
I know in a way, they are.

Fun, relaxing and busy

How can it be relaxing and busy? Well, it was just relaxing today that we just did whatever we wanted. It was busy, because we did a lot.

This morning, Chris had a client appointment at 9 so I loaded everyone up and went to the gym.

Following the gym and Chris' appointment, we met back at home and loaded up again to go eat lunch at our favorite place, Cracker Barrel.

After lunch, we just came home and let the kids drive each other crazy. I worked on the pool, getting the chemicals right and stuff and the kids swam.

In the evening, Debbie and I decided to make a Krispy Kreme run. Tasty is all that needs to be said about that. And, of course, I had a great time with my friend. :)

Happy Anniversary!

Mom and Dad celebrate 39 years of marriage today!

Impressive!

All I can say is "thank you"!

Another procedure needed

I took Aislinn to her urologist appointment this morning. She has now developed what they call reflux. That is where the urine backs out of the bladder and back into the ureter and kidney. It makes you sick, just like she has been getting sick. Dr. Rich said that she will continue to be sick until we get it 'fixed'. Thought we did that, right? Me too!

Anyway, the old 'extra' ureter apparently provided pressure to the kidney which made it to where the urine did not go back up. Now that it is gone, the ureter and the pressure, she is experiencing reflux on the right ureter and kidney.

Dr. Rich says that he wants to do a procedure where they go in with a scope and inject something behind the bladder to apply pressure to it. Kind of like putting a pillow under you. He says that it will 'hopefully' work. I guess that this less invasive procedure is better than going in like before, but I imagine that they will have to if this doesn't fix this new problem.

I'll tell you what, this girl of mine is a trooper! I have prayed for her, like I know most of you have and continue to do. I know she will be okay, but I keep finding myself going back to words and an impression that I received when she got a blessing. She will be made well. I also felt in my blessing that she would be made well, but that the path to that might be 'rocky'. I believe that this is what I would call 'rocky'.

The path to get to the first surgery was rough. Constant antibiotics and trips to the hospital when she got sick anyway. Now this. Trips to the hospital, antibiotics and still sick!

I don't know how I could handle this without having the blessings that we have received. I KNOW we are in His hands. For that, I am EXTREMELY grateful.

Made it!

All of the kids were back to school today. Chris and I were back to work. There is something comfortable about routine. I really like routine, as you know.

Aislinn seems to not be any worse except that tonight when I was getting her in bed, she told me her back was hurting and when I asked her to show me where, she pointed at her lower right side. Doesn't sound good!

Cycle class tonight was great! I really shouldn't have eaten all that movie popcorn and all those doughnuts! I'm hating those choices right now for sure!

Memorial Day

Not good! Aislinn started running a fever again this morning. So, I started her on the second antibiotic, the one that they prescribed last time for her UTI. I filled it on Saturday night, but the nephrologist told me he didn't think that I should give it to her. See! She did need it! She isn't getting better!

We also called them again, but had to talk to him. Guess he was the doctor on call all weekend. I'm so glad that I take her to the urologist on Wednesday! I am going to need some answers!

We headed home a little after 3 and arrived here around 8. It was really nice to get away and relax, but it is really nice to get home too.

Back to the rat race tomorrow!

Family Sunday

We went to church this morning. It was really nice to see all those familiar faces.

Aislinn seems to be doing better, the asthma medication really helps! She did not initially want to go to Primary, but I left her with my keys and she allowed me to leave.

Each of the children went through a stage where they would accept our keys and let us go to wherever, work, gym, class. Isn't that odd? I guess they know that we can't go anywhere if they have the keys. Whatever works is my philosophy there!

Watch us go!

We met Nana and her family at Chick-Fil-A this morning.

Following that, we headed to Carolyn's for a quick visit. This afternoon, we went to Alyssa's dance recital and then to celebrate, we went to Osaka for dinner.

However, Aislinn is sick again and I had to take her to an urgent care facility. She was running a fever of 103 after 4 hours with Motrin. Also, her asthma is acting up and apparently the inhaler that is the rescue medication is out because it is NOT working!

To top it all off, BlueCross and BlueShield dropped all the children from insurance for NO REASON! So, I had to pay everything out of pocket.

She had a trace of blood in her urine and protein and the white blood cell count was elevated again! We left with 3 prescriptions! I talked to the nephrologist that was on call, not Aislinn's doctor, but her partner. All that left me was frustrated! He does not know how she acts, like her doctor, and he dismissed it and said that he wasn't sure that Aislinn actually has a UTI!

WHATEVER!

We finally got out of here!

We didn't leave Mount Dora until about 11:30 this morning, but we did leave! That within itself is quite an accomplishment. I kept the kids out of school today, because Chris initially had a trial in Pensacola today. They settled it a few days ago, but we decided that we would go up as a family to Tallahassee as planned and just enjoy the day.

Well, you know what happened with the computers. So, we couldn't leave as early as I wanted, but I did get the employees paid and we finally did get to leave.

I drove to Tallahassee so Chris could try to relax and work too. We got there a little after 4 this afternoon.

I'm so glad!

Funk time, AGAIN!

I'm in a funk.

A BAD funk at that!

I've had at least two mornings recently where I felt like I wasn't fully awake. Kind of felt like I was walking in a fog. I was groggy and more 'grumpy' than usual. Those of you that know me, know I do not like mornings at all, but these were worse than usual.

We were supposed to leave for Tallahassee tonight.

Obviously we didn't, because I am sitting at home typing this post on my computer. We probably could have left if I hadn't TOTALLY MESSED up the accounting program at work.

I needed to upgrade it to keep getting payroll updates and stuff, so I did it. But, I didn't back it up or do it on the server, or something like that and I could not get into the program at all! Well, that wouldn't be something to normally really panic about, but tomorrow is payday and I HAD to run paychecks today. Of course, I couldn't run payroll because the program wouldn't open.

I was in tears by the time Chris got back from Orlando and then he had to spend time today tying to fix my screw up! Time that he did not have since he is also trying to wrap things up for us to go out of town.

I don't feel well.

Sorry Kirstie, that I didn't call you back but 'it has been one of those days'. I'm sure you know what that means. Next week, we're swimming for sure!

I just got a call from Chris and he got the program to run again. However, I lost several days of entries so I am going to have to go back and enter them. I hope it won't be too much. I guess I'll have to go up later tonight or first thing in the morning.

Whew! I'm ready for this day to be over. Please tomorrow, be better than today. Please.

Really?

I came home from work today to find this
(raining, and raining, and raining),

and this!
How hard is it for a twelve year old to clean up his room? Apparently VERY, VERY hard!

Rain, rain

It has rained for two days straight. I took a picture of the pool. Even with the overflow pipe, it has almost gone over the top. The rain has been pretty steady, sometimes quite hard. We really need it though, but it makes going places and doing things much harder.
The pool water is to the top of the tile.
Brennan and Greyson playing Lego's.
Lauklan and Kerstyn doing their homework.

We had a girls night out for church last night at the Ingalls' house. It was really nice to go and chat with friends and even meet some of the new people that have joined our ward from Apopka.

After arriving home, Chris and I watched American Idol. I think both of them can really sing and I like them both, but I don't believe I would buy Adam. I might, however buy Chris. My favorite, Danny, was voted off last week, but I WILL buy his album when it comes out.

I think it is supposed to rain for another day or two. I miss the sun.

What happened?

Ever have one of those days where you wonder where it went?

Yep, today was one of those days!

It was hard

I'm not going to lie.

Today was a rough day for me.

It was my first time back in our ward since I was released.

I miss it.

I feel out of place.

I cried several times today.

I wish I could hide.

Stupid, huh?

Magic Kingdom for Grandma

We met Grandma, Karen, Krystal, Carolyn and Bay at Magic Kingdom today to celebrate Grandma's birthday.

The kids were so excited, and I think the parents were too! We got a lot done, and it was REALLY hot at times, but overall, we all had a bunch of fun.

We ate lunch at Crystal Palace which was perfect because it is a buffet and the kids could eat ALL that they wanted.
Kerstyn and Aislinn
Aislinn wasn't so excited about eating there UNTIL she saw the characters inside. This is what she did until they let us in. It was SO cute!
Lauklan sporting the ears.
Is that Brennan smiling? Impressive.
Greyson was having fun watching the show.
Krystal, Karen and Bay
Chris giving the cheesy smile.
Chris and I in the Crystal Palace
Everyone, minus me. See all the smiling faces?
Kerstyn and Brennan

Crazy, but fun!

Chris and I left Mount Dora about 5:30 tonight to head to Lakeland to watch Angels and Demons with Ricky and Mom.

We made it in record time! Go Melody!

Chris made phone calls the whole time, so I just drove like a mad-woman!

We both really enjoyed the movie and had an added good surprise that Karen was there to watch too.

We didn't get back to Mount Dora until after midnight, then I had to take Nashua and Nellie home so I didn't get to the house to go to sleep until a little after 1 a.m.

I'm going to be tired for Magic Kingdom in the morning, but it was a nice evening.

We're getting rain

It has rained the last few afternoons. Sure is nice, even though it has messed up the kids swimming plans.

I took pool water to Pinch A Penny today for them to test it since I saw some algae in the deep end. Come to find out, there was NO chlorine in the pool. They told me that our salt system cell must not be working. Not good! So, I came home with a bunch of chemicals, dumped them in and hope that everything works out.

I cycled again tonight. It sure does feel good!

Did you know I really enjoy reality television?

A year apart (well, close enough)

April 2009

June 2008

Sunday, May 10, 2009

Saturday, April 19, 2008

Notice anything different? I sure hope so!

3 places at once!

Kerstyn had an Orff performance today. Lauklan had scouts. Cycle was at 5:30. I must get all done! So, what do I do? I get help!

Whew!

I made it to the gym. Kerstyn made it to her performance, which was great! Lauklan made it to scouts.

I'm tired!

Here are some shots from her performance.

Kerstyn is playing the bells.

Group shot

Up at the top playing the recorder.

Kerstyn playing some stick thing.

It was a great performance!

Monday, Monday

Have I mentioned how my life revolves around cycle class?

LOVE IT!

6:30, here I come.

The kids did some swimming and fun stuff today.

I finished the dining room chairs for Chris and I was SO proud of myself.
See! All pretty and I did it! I even surprise myself sometimes.

The air conditioning had stopped working really well, so they came today to fix it. Come to find out it needed a new part. Now it feels cold inside. I am thankful that it happened in May and not August! That would be miserable!

Happy Mother's Day!

I got to enjoy my Mother's Day with my mom again this year. We all went to church together and that was really nice.
The girls got some coloring in before church. What a mess!
See how excited Brennan and Chris are to be eating their breakfast?
Greyson and Lauklan are excited though!

Dad got home around 3:30 and the kids were beyond excited!
See all the excitement?
Mom and I on Mother's Day.
Chris and I.

It was a really nice day with family. A long, but nice day. We didn't arrive home until around 9, but I am really glad that we went.

Over to Mom and Dad's

We headed to Mom and Dad's this afternoon and got there about 4 p.m. After Chris did several "honey-do" list items.

Chris fixed the closet doors in the boys room. I have been wanting that done for months. One of them was sliding and wouldn't stay on the track. That made me happy.

He also went to Jo-Ann Fabrics and bought new fabric to cover the dining room chairs. To be honest, it doesn't bother me as much as it bothers him, but it always looks nice when it is done. Our staple gun wouldn't work though, so it didn't get finished.
I went to Publix and got Mom some flowers for Mother's Day. If they make me smile, they should make her smile too. Right?

Tonight, we went to see the new Star Trek movie at the movie theater in Port Richey. The same one that I went to as a child. I really enjoyed the movie, but Chris said it was just "okay". It was a late night though, since the movie didn't even start until 9:55. Way past my bedtime!

Pre-School's Mother's Tea and Women's Meeting

You all know that I now purchase flowers for myself. So here they are. This week's purchase. Aren't they pretty?
Greyson and Aislinn's pre-school had a Mother's Day Tea today. They came in and sang songs and then had a little gift for me. It was really cute. Aislinn is very excited, you see. :)
Greyson was excited. What a cutie!

Tonight I went with Debbie Clayton tonight to a meeting that was broadcast in the Orlando South building.

Sister Beck said great stuff. The thing I remember most is that she said that this life is not going to be perfect. It is not a fairy tale. We knew that in the pre-existence, and we accepted it. This life is to be an experience. We are to exercise our faith.

I really enjoyed the meeting AND the time I got to spend with my friend.

Will he ever?

Will my husband ever come home at a decent time again?

Of course, he comes home at a decent time when I am out of town, because he has to.

But really, this is a good question.

Will he ever, ever, ever come home at a decent time again?

I would like to visit with him.

Look into his eyes.

Hold his hand.

Talk.

I miss that.

It is HOT!

In total contrast to my visit and time in Kentucky, where I was FREEZING, it was really hot today.

The water is no longer "cool" in the pool. It is warm.

The kids are all swimming like crazy and I am so glad, since that is why we got the thing.

Watch out, here comes summer!

Sweat, cycle, laugh

I had a pretty uneventful, full day today.

I worked, picked up kids and then headed to the gym.

I sat in the sauna for an hour. While I sweated like crazy, I read.

Following the sauna, I went to cycle class. Those new shoes that I got for cycling really seem to make a difference. I am sore, for sure.

After exercising, I took the kids home and Kerstyn, Greyson and Aislinn went swimming while Lauklan was at scouts and Brennan read.

Chris came home with Lauklan and I headed to book club.

No, I didn't read the book. But I committed to read the one this month.

Oh no! Pressure!!!

I wanted to eat Mexican food today for Cinco de Mayo, but I didn't. Oh well.

Well...

I was released as the Eustis Ward Primary President yesterday, Sunday, May 3, 2009. I was called to that position on August 8, 2004.

Yes, that is right, 4 years and almost 9 months ago.

I have cried.

A lot!

I have never loved a calling like I loved being the children's primary president.

I love each and every one of those children.

I have watched them grow physically and more importantly spiritually.

I had the opportunity to serve each one of my own children as their primary president.

I think that I only had one Sunday, out of all of them, that I could say, "I had a bad day".

Each and every Sunday, the spirit was present. Each and every Sunday, I learned something from those children. Each and every Sunday, I left knowing that the church is true.

Each and every one!

So, I ask myself the question, repeatedly. "Have I done any good in the world today?"

I pray so. I truly do.

Fishing Camp on Saturday

Chris took all the children to a Fishing Clinic that Lauklan's Tiger Cub group was going to. I think he was quite brave to do it without me, but they all did great and had a great time too! All but Brennan, of course. Here are the kids with their catches! Lauklan caught one too, but it got off the hook before he could get it totally out of the water.

While Mommy is gone...

Thursday night, Greyson and Aislinn had a Spring Concert at school. Chris took them and bought a new camera so I could see pictures when I got home. Here are a few of them.

They are so cute!

Greyson was an alligator that had to eat all the little monkeys.

Greyson and Aislinn. Aislinn was a ladybug but she got a little shy about it.

Greyson and Lauklan

Kerstyn, Greyson, Lauklan, Aislinn and Brennan

Coming home

All it did, I'm not kidding, is rain.

It was wet and COLD!

Oh my!

No wonder I have a sore throat.

Mom and I were so glad to get off the plane in Tampa and feel the warm, dry, yet humid air.

I got home late tonight. It was wonderful to sleep in my own bed and snuggle up to Chris again.

Visiting time

I actually went to a "Derby Breakfast" in Crofton this morning.

A bunch of places were having Derby Breakfast's this morning because of the Kentucky Derby running tonight.

Mom was glad to go with Randy, Becky and many others to Crofton to eat good food and see many people she hasn't seen since she was a child.

I wish that this was enhanced a little, but it is Carole, Caroline, Reese (Lori's daughter), Gail, me and mom.
Mom, Carolyn, Carole and Gail. Carolyn went to school with Gail for years and is still real close with Mom and Carole. Carolyn graciously let us use her home to get ready for the party.

After breakfast, we went and visited at Randy's and looked at how their new house is coming along.

Mom and I also went by the cemetery where her father is buried and another cemetery where many of her family members are.

For dinner, we met Carole, Gail and Caroline at a restaurant called Dot's. Here is a picture of us there before 'the incident'.
I had an amazing salad until I found a large, dead fly in it.

YUCK!

We went to bed early and head out to the airport to fly back in the morning.