Happy New Year!

I want to post about Christmas, but don't have pics ready so I am doing this out of order since today is the last day of 2008, (I have to do something on time!). Today started as any other with me dragging myself unwantingly out of bed. I took sweet Jasper to the vet to be "altered" as they call it, but it really means fixed! Poor thing, didn't even make it to manhood before they nixed his possibilities. He did and is doing great! He is so cuddly cute. I go to rub his chin and he puts his paw up on my arm and leans his head into me. I can't believe I enjoy that! Anyone who has known me long will attest that it is very un-me like. After that I went to work for a couple of hours and then to the grocery store. Now I am sitting in a completely quiet house as all children are playing elsewhere and Tera is asleep. Why am I writing this you ask? Because it must go down in history how I spent the last day of 2008.

Here are some things that I want to happen for 2009 as you read this quite meaningless post:
1. I want to be less cluttered.

2. I want to go more places with my family

3. I want to have more fun!

4. I want to be better.

5. I want to have less of me (ok, that's just another way to say loose weight, but it didn't happen last year when I said it like that so I am trying a new tactic!)

Normally I would say something about being more spiritual and stuff, but I am really working on that already so I listed the things I am NOT working on at the moment to try to see if they will become part of the work load!

2009 looks a little scary on the horizon what with all the world changes, but I have faith in my Heavenly Father and I see that what happens now is all part of the plan. We have been preparing for the last days since I was born, I hope they are coming to an end soon. As scary as they may seem, they are way more exciting! As hard as it may get, I can't think of anything greater to see. When we know that the bad things happening are signs that the Savior will come soon, it makes them a little easier to handle. To be on this earth when the Savior returns can not quite be imagined, yet, I hope it will be experienced! Plus, I don't want to leave my kids to go through it alone (not that they wouldn't handle it better than I would, but still, mother's love thing going on!) I just hope that my effort is good enough and that I keep trying to do my best and not just my "get by".

Ok, enough of the deep thinking. Onto more nonsense! Can you believe I have a 14 year old??? NO, I am not old enough, and tonight will be her first dance! She is so excited, she can hardly wait for it to get dark! I remember my dances, what fun, what fun. At least I know she will have a good time as she is not afraid to be herself and have a good time. (It helps that she is so darn cute!)

Also in 20 days I will have a boy turn 12. A Deacon? No way! I can't believe how they are all growing up on me. Does anyone know how to make it stop? Not that I really want to. It is kinda fun to see them mature and learn.

Ok, too long of a post, I know. Time to stop. Think I covered all the bases. Oh, one more thing. Oldest off to a dance. Middle two off to the grandparents for the night, baby to bed early...How do I ring in the new year? Hmmm... quietly snoring I am sure!!

Oldest

It was December 14, 1994. The day was warm for December, of course not really when you live in Arizona. The sun was shining and the only chill was in the shadows. The pregnancy was coming to the finish line - December 25! But contractions had been coming on over the past few days. I was trying really hard to make my contractions continue longer than a few hours at a time. We tried walking at the mall, bouncing on a trampoline, and other techniques to get things moving. At my afternoon appointment the Dr. stripped membranes and the contractions continued. At 6 pm we headed to the hospital but we were told that I wasn't progressing enough to stay and they were "Way too full to keep you"- there were people waiting in the halls for rooms. BUT, I had a GREAT Dr. - one that was leaving town in three days! He came to visit and broke my water at 8pm - Ohh, the nurses were NOT happy, but I sure was! Grami and Pops came to witness and help. Pops spent the night in the car after giving his support and love, but Grami was right there for the whole boring night. After a VERY long night of walking the halls, Grizzly Adams on TV, and being scowled at by nurses, you still did not come - in fact, at one point the contractions stopped all together! SO by 7:30 a.m. the nurses were ready to start pitocin. I was adamant to do this natural (ironic since we were bucking the system all ready, I know!) So I refused. Daddy had to leave to take a final - hey, the semester doesn't hold for babies! I was worried he would miss your birth - no need! After listening to the nurse tell me she knew EXACTLY how I was feeling because her dog just had PUPPIES!!! I was about to give in to the pit, when all of a sudden these horrible, TERRIFIC pangs started. I thought the ones the day before were bad, but NO! These were REAL! All the breathing, concentrating, and crying did not make them feel ANY better! Daddy came in with Burger King and I almost tossed my cookies - or rather ice chips! (the only thing I was allowed to eat in the last 14 hours!) I had progressed to a 5 - that's IT??? It was 12:30. Things started to pick up.
The doctor was called - " I am just returning from Jury duty, I will be there in 30 minutes",
RN: "you better hurry, she is progressing quickly!"
Me: "I need to push".
RN: "oh, that can't be it is too soon, let me see...
I NEED A DR RIGHT NOW!!!" (while yelling out the door into the hall)
Woman Dr enters room, while shaking my hand between my legs over my bulging belly "Hi, I am Dr. Holden, let's see what we have here. Oh, yep, that is a baby!"
Me - thinking - DUH!!!
Dr: "give me a little push to see how this will go", "OH! Well lookie there, you have a little girl!" Me: Tears, exhaustion, smiles!
Daddy takes you in his arms and helps the nurses get you cleaned and warm.

December 15th, 1994. 1:01 pm it was all over - or the just beginning!

(1:35 in walks your real Dr. surprised at what he sees - you in my arms instead of my belly!)

Ten fingers, ten tiny toes - very tiny, you only weighed 5lbs 11 oz! You would think that this was just yesterday the way I remember the details, but alas, 14 years have passed!

Being the oldest has not been easy, I know - I'm the mom that uses you as my test subject! But I must say that you are the love of my life! I am the proudest mom in the world!! You are smart, funny, happy, cute, talkative, and caring. Your love of books and reading is dear to my heart - oh if only I had the time to read like you do - five books this week, really? And your talent to write short stories is improving by the day! I love that you want to talk to me and hope this lasts through the years to come. I like to hear about the fun you have at school and the friends you keep. The sorrows you feel, the joys you encounter. You have a love of the Savior and the scriptures that helps my own testimony grow. You are so beautiful!

Thank you, for letting me be your mom. I can't express myself very eloquently, but I feel it deep in my soul - you are a part of me! Ashten, I LOVE YOU! Happy Birthday! Mom.

Our REAL Thanksgiving Dinner

When Chad and I first married we had a hard time getting all of his 9 siblings to be in one place on Thanksgiving Day. In fact it still has NEVER happened in the fifteen years we have been wed. But we came to a solution about 13 years ago that has worked the best it can. Everyone goes to their in-laws or wherever they choose to go on Thursday and the Lewis clan meets on Saturday. It works fairly well. We still have members missing, but the majority do their best to make it. This year it was at our house. We had a beautiful 20 pound turkey - way too big this year as there was a new birth and more than usual members were missing! But, those that did come enjoyed a morning of last minute prepping and kids running every which way. My kids LOVE it when cousins come as there is at least one (more likely two or three) that are the same age as each child - making everyone including the mom's happy and occupied! Over the years Santa has brought to our home many a toy for entertainment - be it swinging, sliding, air hockey or littlest pets (or in big girl fashion - straight iron, hair spray and make-up)! Can't get enough of the laughter and joy heard inside and out as the kids and adults enjoy company and good food. This year we had two new "greats" join us - can't believe these girls are old enough to be mommies (especially when some of us are still having babies ourselves - not me mind you but others of Chad's siblings, and now his nieces), and I am glad to say I am not the "Granny", (but get a kick out of calling my Sis in law that as she is only a couple of years my senior-with a one year old to boot!) Yes, I am Thankful for Thanksgiving Saturdays!
Hopefully I will have some pictures to post with this in a little while, but wanted to write when I had the time.

Black or Bleak?!

The morning started dark and early- 3:30 to be exact! But you have to sacrifice a little if you want to get the true joy of the morning! If you don't start early the day may turn out bleak as you will miss all the great deals! Just remember though, if you don't already want it, it is not a great deal!
Here is the strategy I have found that works for me -
1. Check all ads, both in paper and online
2. Write down all deals that appeal to you.
3. Research and cross reference for best true deal and store with most said deals -if last for same time frame. (sacrificing some for the greater good - unless you have a friend that thinks the other store is better then give them your list!)
4. Take a Buddy - Never go alone as this will only lead to wimpering in the corner away from the crowd.
5. Make sure you have a buddy plan - ie: cell phones, walkie-talkies, meeting place, who will go where for which items, etc.
6. Get to store at least 40 minutes before start of sale - dress warm and bring umbrella - just in case!
7. Have fun talking to those around you and listening to their crazy story or what they plan to do with their day. This is how you gain allies once inside store - it is true - these perfect strangers will go to bat for you if needed once inside!
8. If getting large quantities or large items, get a cart and take least used isle to get to destination, if only small amount (1-2) or a small item, forget the cart it will only hinder!
9. Grab only items on list - forget the other stuff, if it didn't sound good the night before then it is NOT any good now that you are sleep deprived!
10. Have buddy go one way as you go other and get items for Buddy in your designated area and vice versa. Then first one done gets in line at register.
11. If you don't get all on your list- don't fret!
A lot of stores have two day sales, but will run out of stock for the really good deals so make sure if that is something you really want to save money on then make that your first stop. Otherwise, go home, take a nap and go back out after breakfast - the lines will be shorter, the isles a little more cluttered, but less crowded, and the prices just as good.
Something else I learned this year that I had to learn by experience - the Walmart in Queen Creek did not have as much stock as the one on Signal Butte - went there after lunch and they still had a LOT of the items that were gone in mere seconds at the QC store. So, if you think you might have a little crazy in your bones and like to have fun saving money- call me - I am always looking for a buddy! Happy Shopping!

Happy Thanksgiving Day

Thanksgiving day - a day to be grateful for our great abundance and blessings. I am truly grateful for ALL things in my life - good and bad. I could easily do without the bad, but would not be worth much. Top Three on my list of the good are: My redeeming Savior, my Family, my Friends. Then we get to the more wordly things - my home, job, van. I could list a few thousand things I am THANKFUL for, but I don't want to right now as my hands won't type fast enough and my brain is already on two hundred thirty! Just know that if you are reading this then you are probably in the top one hundred or less!

I spent Thursday with my fave 5. We had a light lunch of different gourmet cheeses, meats and crackers, and Martenelli's in fancy punch glasses. The kids thought I was crazy but enjoyed themselves completely. We then went to the theatre and watched Madagascar 2 - was fun, but thought a little lacking in the plot department, felt a little too much like Simba! BUT the tradition is a trip to the theatre for a movie the whole family will enjoy so that is the choice we made.

After the movie we went to visit Grami and Pops. Grami took the kids for a ride on the golf cart while I helped Pops clean the kitchen. After about twenty minutes they came back and were all excited because they got pulled over by a policeman. Mind you, they live on acreage in Gilbert with quiet, sleepy roads. (very safe in my mind) The cart was licensed for the road, however, my thirteen year old driving was NOT! The threat of jail for Grami and no driving till 18 for daughter was made along with a hefty fine for no seatbelts for littles. Quite funny considering Grami is a "by the book" kind of Grami! Because it was Thanksgiving he "let them off with a warning" but sent them straight home. I laughed as these things just don't happen to my mom!

That was too much excitement for the day so we came home and watched Fred Clause on DVD, eased a little tummy after vomiting cheese, crackers, popcorn and soda, and then off to dreamland!

So thankful for all the blessings in my life - like mom's willing to risk jail to let granddaughters learn to drive- hehe!

Jasper

Look at that FACE! Who can say no to that?!? Well I did for the first hour that I saw him, but then he was just so dang cute! I always said "we will never have a dog, so get over it!" Well that is what was quoted back to me when my kids learnt I had brought home Jasper for them - do I love my kids or what? They had to vote a few times over the name, but they finally decided that Jasper was a good fit. He is an Australian Shepherd/ lab mix. He is a good dog as well. Lays/Lies (never could get that one down) by the back door and sits up whenever someone talks to him. He has started to chew on things but lucky for me they are all the things that I would prefer left my yard anyway - weeds, broken toys, etc. So after he is done it goes in the garbage! The kids are teaching him to "hug", sit, fetch. He doesn't bark unless you scare him and he is terrified of the pool - yeah, I won't tell you that story cuz someone might try to take him away from us! He is like all dogs in that he poops quite a lot, but, as conditions of keeping him for a long and fruitful life I don't worry too much about that as it is almost always picked up on a daily basis by one child or other terrified I will give him away!

My Knight

Last week I went to the dentist to have an old filling removed and then a root canal done on a tooth. The old filling had cracked and a cavity formed underneath - thus the root canal. Well, after getting all the cavity out there was not much tooth left and it would have cost way too much to try and save. They ended up pulling the tooth, only pulling is just the half of it! I thought he was going to break my jaw - he yanked to the left and right, then up and down, then he took the scalpel and cut the gums to see if it would release. He then states to me, "sorry about this, but I am going to try and spread the bone to see if the roots will release." Yeah, he did! Well, I don't know about you, but I don't think bone "spreads"! At least my bone doesn't. Finally he breaks the tooth in half and pries one root out at a time. Needless to say I felt like I had been beat up! I went home and had some nice percocet that let me sleep a restless night -meaning not very well! To make it all worse, I had happily the day before sent my dear hubby on a fishing trip with some friends. With my job I am required to take on call four days a month. My day just happened to be the following day - Saturday. Supposedly the on call person "never gets called out". Whatever, they were calling me by 8 in the morning! I had tried to get someone to cover for me but to no avail. The scheduler did her best to keep me home until around 2 pm. Then I was told to see three different patients. I couldn't believe it. I was unable to take my pain meds because of needing to drive and work, and the morning dose of tylenol was not helping at all. After seeing one patient and getting upset with the scheduler I was able to get someone else to see the other two patients and I started for home. I was in pain, tired, could hardly talk and wanted to cry. My phone rings and it is Chad to tell me he is home. I immediately bawl into the phone and he listens as I tell how horrible it was that he was not here to witness such obvious torture on me! He tells me to come home and so when I get there he meets me in the garage with a big hug and a gentle kiss on the cheek. Then the next thing he says is give me your phone and pager, go take some pain pills and get into bed - yeah, he is my knight in shining armor! It helps that he works for the same company as I do and he went out on a call at 10pm and didn't come back until almost 1 am. Yeah, he is my Knight. I love him to pieces! Thank you, Babe.

My own Little Vampire

So Ashten hasn't stopped talking about Twilight and spent all day yesterday making a power point of the people she still thinks should have played the characters in the movie - interestingly enough she placed some of the actual cast in the power point (not Bella and Edward though- she didn't like them). So anyway, I am sitting at the computer trying to be better at this blog thing and catching up on some post that were sadly neglected all this time when I hear a little growl behind me and turn to see this! Funny enough that while I read Breaking Dawn this is kinda what I pictured! (if you can't tell, she has plastic vampire teeth in her mouth - they look almost real)

She's got Talent

One of Ashten's friends is a great "artist". She wanted a T-shirt for the movie night but didn't get one before hand. So as we are driving to the theatre she is drawing in the back seat with a permanent marker. I had to keep opening the window for the smell. When we got there this was the finished product. Way to go Mikey!

Her favorite character in the book is Alice.

She has a sketch book with many more awesome drawings. I hope to be able to say "I knew her when" someday.

Twilight!

So, about two months ago I posted on my ward blog about wanting to go to see Twilight with my friends and make a big girl's night out. Knowing that many friends stated interest in going to see the movie, my first thought was to have enough go to rent our own theatre - dream big, right! Well as the days passed I learned that I don't have as many adventurous friends as I thought I had - still love them though. So anyway, tickets went on sale and I decided that I would buy ten tickets to be safe. I had almost that many RSVP so I did not think it a problem to talk a few more into coming with us. BUT, as the week approached and then the day before my friends got tired, scared, boring, ... not sure what, but I was down to only three - what am I gonna do with seven tickets??? Ashten to my rescue of course! She had been begging to crash my all adult night anyway so I caved in the pressure of wasting $70. And rescue she did! The only problem is now instead of it being my night, I am taxi to her friends (I really didn't mind, but this is MY whine session so just keep readin'!)
The plan was to go to the theatre to get in line for a good seat by 6pm. Wouldn't you know that the good friends that DID come are too tired and old (except you Katie - new baby is a good excuse to come late!) to show up that early for JUST a movie! SO, I take 7 teenage girls to the theatre, just ME, and have to talk to total strangers (which by the way had their friends with them!) for three hours while I wait for MY friends to show. We get into the theatre, pick seats, buy AND drink a large soda and go to the bathroom - all before they get there to rescue me from the squealing teenagers I am accompanying! If you can't tell I am trying to make you feel bad for not being there for me- YES, ALL of you! If you are reading this you should have been there and the guilt had better be eating at you right now!! AND, just to add more to your deep sorrow, We had a BLAST!! What better time could be had by a mom and her daughter than to do what SHE wanted for a whole six hours? I will be forever known as the COOL mom - ha!

SO... eventually my good, dear friends did show and we got to talk for about two minutes and then the theatre burst with squeals as the lights dimmed and the long awaited movie started! It was worth the wait! I was not happy with the cast at first and so when it started I was saying to myself "I can't believe they thought he was Edward!, Carlisle, etc." but I have to say that for the most part it was very well cast. If you are gonna see this movie keep in mind that it is NOT the book. There are disappointments if you think it will be. I heard an interview that the main characters had not even read the books before they made the movie - they probably should have to make it even better, but they did well. And the main reason to watch a movie is for entertainment and that goal was thoroughly met!

I do not regret the standing in line or the sleepless 24 hours. It is all part of the adventure! We have to do things that SEEM crazy sometimes. We didn't just watch a movie at midnight. We created a memory for one night that will last forever!

PS: I am so glad that I have you as friends, and if you can't be crazy with me sometimes well... I love you anyway!

Oh, and PSS: The good friend that started me with going to midnight movies moved to Colorado and she called me to see if I was in line - that is a great friend. (so I guess I didn't talk to strangers the whole three hours) She went with her girls in Denver, but it is different there, people did not start coming to the theatre until around 10pm so they didn't get the crazy experience that we did. She said it just wasn't the same!

Not so Great!

I am learning that I am not so great at this blogging thing so far. I am finding it hard to post on my blog when my friend's are so much more fun to read. I get so engrossed in their stories that I run out of time to post my own. And I refuse to give up more sleep than I absolutely already have! So, have patience with me as I figure out the balance. As you can see I think I might have the picture thing almost figured out. I am still working on getting them in the post itself (I wanted the above picture after I wrote). But don't I have some cute kids?! That day was NOT fun, but looks like it might have been worth it!

It's Time!

Ok, so too long has passed since I last posted so it's time! I have had a busy month, but that is NO excuse! August flew by with a WONDERFUL romantic get-away with my hubby of 15 years. We spent three glorious, stress free days alone in Phoenix at an undisclosed location. We had a blast at the D-backs game; eating fancy, too expensive food overlooking the city lights; swimming in the pool; and relaxing in our room - yes, I will keep it G rated (even though it wasn't - shhh)! Having no agenda was the key to a relaxing anniversary. Thank you to my sweet, sweet, man!

I also started working for a new company that has kept me busy through August. I go from house to house helping patients with their at-home IV medications. It is a change from taking care of people in the hospital and dealing with gross wounds. It is also VERY flexible so I can run and see a patient and stop for an errand as well. The best part is that a really LOVELY lady watches my baby so I don't feel quite as guilty for leaving her a few hours a week. The truth is my baby prefers her over me anyway, so it makes it real easy!

So, now September is started and already a quarter over - where does the time go??? I must figure out how to put cute pictures on here so people have something more enjoyable to stare at then my music notes! (of course that means I have to figure out how to make my pics cute as well!)

Week One

SO, school started this week. It is bittersweet for me. I really like summer and love having my kids and their friends around all day. There is no schedule (most days) and things are pretty laid back over here. Chores get done daily, fun definately happens daily, and lots of books are read cuz we go to the library a lot because it is FREE! But when school is in things get back on a schedule and if we don't actually plan the chores or the fun or the reading time then it gets pushed back to after homework, dinner, or whatever else is happening in the four hours I get with my kids after school. That's right, by the time they get home there is only four hours before bedtime to squish in everything we did all day long during the summer, so the chores usually get pushed to Saturday (which makes my house a growing disaster all week long), the fun only happens when I am not stressed or grumpy - usually cuz the house is a mess or I have to actually cook! and reading...yeah right! I forgot the part about not having my built in babysitters anymore - have you ever tried to read a book with an active almost two year old? One that insists on taking her diaper off every other minute?!? The sweet thing about school, is that I, on occasion, get to have a two hour break from all noise - nap time!
Did I mention I also have to drive them too?! Hate that!
No, I am not a fan of school being back in session.

Now the kids on the other hand LOVE that school is back in. Their excitement this past week only pushed me to a deeper depression! Don't you love being home with your mommy??? Don't really ask them that - not sure I want to know the answer! I have to admit getting to know the new teacher and wondering who is in your class and who you will sit by is pretty exciting, but that only last about an hour and then it is just more work, work, work. Until recess of course! And if you ask that built in babysitter which she prefers I am sure her answer would not be changing stinky diapers! Ok, so I could see why they like school

Work

Work can be defined many ways. I define it as "anything that takes me away from what I REALLY want to do!" Right now that is blog - which as you can see is not happening enough! There are lots of different types of work: there is the kind that pays you money - which I don't like to do but will on occasion (not the money part, that is always good to have!); the kind of work that pays in blessings (I hope) - like digging weeds out from around trees at the temple and spreading stinky, hot mulch over the ground (yep, did this with the fam on Saturday morning after only 3 hours of sleep thanks to some awesome friends that kept me out all night on a quest for "dawn"!); then there is the kind of work that doesn't pay jack squat, not even when I try to pretend there is some appreciation that doesn't seem to exist - like laundry, dishes, dirty diapers, unpacking from girls camp I came home from in JUNE! I am sure there are more kinds of work, but those seem to take up the most of my time lately - and speaking of lately, I think I might turn into a pumpkin soon! Not exactly work, but something else taking me from my desire - but at least I will enjoy it fully - good night!

Launch Day!

I have been a lurker on my friends' blogs (and strangers' as well for that matter) for weeks now, and can't get over the greatness of blogs. I have decided today is the day to start my own. And a good day it has been. The kiddos are all sane, the hubby is occupied, and the computer is working - to have all three of these things at once is not always a possibility at this house! So, hope this is as fun to write as they are to read from others! Happy posting, right!?