KK's Check up

Since I have been in school I have had to postpone all of KK's and G's doctors and dentists appointments. Last week G and KK had dentists appointments at 7 in the morning [the day after I saw Breaking Dawn at midnight!]. G, instead of getting ready for the appointment, he left for school so I had to reschedule him. KK, on the other hand, kept his appointment and did very well while they took x-rays and cleaned his teeth. I was upset when the dentist told me that he had cavities on his back molars. We have been so diligent cleaning his teeth every night. But we're not as good with flossing and that is what did it...along with the fact that KK is a candy fend. Since the dentist was not a pediatric one we had to call and make an appointment with one. The pediatric dentist was about 20 mins away and the other dentist forgot to send the films with me, so they needed to take more x-rays just to confirm that yes, he had cavities. THAT'S ALL THEY DID! I was under the impression that they would fill them! I was a little irritated because their next opening was after the 1st of the year! I didn't want to wait that long! I asked if she had any cancellations for an earlier time and she had one about 3 hours later. So KK and I stopped and ate some breakfast and went shopping. 3 hours later we went to the appointment and KK got 3 of the 5 cavities filled. He did wonderful, I was told by the dentist...they wouldn't let any parents go in the back with the kids, which was a little weird! But anyway KK LOVED that dentist and I made another appointment for his next fillings and for his 6 month cleaning. I'm glad that he had a good time at the dentist, I was concerned that if he had a bad experience than he would never want to go back. I'm a little upset about the cavities and how many he had but they are just baby teeth and will fall out eventually. We'll just have to be better with flossing.

Today KK had a doctors appointment, his 5 year check up. He's doing beautifully. He has 20/25 vision and when they tested his hearing he went above and beyond. He would raise whichever hand he heard the noise. So if he heard it in his right ear he would raise his right hand. The Medical Assistant never asked him to distinguish which ear he heard it in...she just told him to raise his hand. It made me proud! On a sour note, KK had 3 shots [Dtap, Polio, MMRV], finger prick, and the flumist. His stats for his 5 year visit were:

Height: 41.5 inches which puts him in the 24%ile
Weight: 40.8 pounds which puts him in the 53%ile
BMI: 84%
BP: 86/48

He was very upset when he got the shots but he didn't flinch or move. He just watched them enter his arm and start to cry. Out of everything that was done, he complained of his finger prick the most. But once I got him a pink milk at Speedway, it made it all feel better! It's funny how little things like that can make it feel so much better!

Family Tradition

When I was at 6th grade camp my parents wrote me a letter each day telling me how much they loved me and how much they were thinking of me. They also wrapped little gifts such as rice krispie treats, a Mariah Carey CD, and a coupon for a date, just me and them (which was a treat, having grown up in a house with six kids). I loved those letters. I still have the "date" one saved because I was never able to go on that date [Side Note - I've been thinking of showing it to my parents and telling them I want to redeem it now! lol]. I had to be picked up early from camp because I had thrown up twice the night before we left. But I LOVED those letter, it made me feel that even though I wasn't at home that my family still missed me and loved me too. Those letters meant so much to me. It's a family tradition to write each other letters when they go on a trip. We leave the letter in their suitcase so when they open their suitcase, there is the letter!

When I went on my honeymoon I wrote KK letters to let him know that I was still thinking of him even though I couldn't call or talk to him. My honeymoon was the longest I had ever gone without talking or being with him. So these letters were for him to know that I still loved him even though I couldn't be with him. As I was cleaning our laundry room I came across the letters I wrote to KK on my honeymoon. I want to always remember them.

Monday:
I hope you had fun today. Did you play lots? And eat good food? Mom likes it when you eat good foods. Have you been playing with Gabe nicely? You BOTH need to mind your manners and try to be good for Mimi and Papa or there will be punishment. On a happier note, I miss you so much and can't wait to give you a BIG FAT hug and kiss when I see you next. If you feel sad because Mom is gone just read 3 Nephi 12:4. I love you very much. I can't wait to see you again!

Love Mom

P.S. I will be home in 3 days!

[RR and KK woke up early to go to SCC w/ Erin to get RR's transcripts! After that, we went home then RR go a call from her new job saying she had to get her fingerprints! Before we left, she bought me a cheeseburger happy meal w/ an Iron Man II toy! Everybody thought RR was my mommy and RR even played along because she bought McDonald's for G and AA :/ But that's okay. Then we went to WSU to turn in RR's transcripts! I was so tired but I was a very good boy for EVERYBODY :) She got me a Wendy's frosty. Then we went home and RR played songs on the guitar about Dora, and Wow Wow Wubzy, and about me! RR and I are also sleeping on the couches downstairs because I had a little accident in RR's bed :( But it's okay! I got to cuddle w/ RR all night on the couch even though she made me a place to sleep. I just love her so much! I also loved playing with her ipod and laptop. I got lots of compliments on my clothes today by people too! I love you mommy and I can't wait for you to be home!

Love, KK & RR

P.S. Erin took KK to the bathroom @ SCC and when he went out he said he had to go to the bathroom again because there was still a drop that had to come out! It made Erin's day. Now Tyler is over and we are going to go to bed!]

Tuesday:
Have you brushed your teeth today? You better not forget to do that, we don't want your teeth to fall off. Have you been able to go to that Activity Park yet? I can't wait to give you lots of kisses when I get back. And guess what? I will bring you back something special but only if you are really good. Have you been good? I really hope so. I miss you so much. I can't wait to see you.

Love, Mom

P.S. I will be home in 2 days

[KK had an awesome day today. We got up early to drive RR to Walker Toyota to see about working after we showed her where it was, KK and Papa went to McDonalds for breakfast. We are in the playground and there was a boy there KK did not like. The boy left with his grandma. We ate and played, then Shack gave KK cookies. KK found a paper on the ground and gave it to Shack. Shack was happy. We played with the remote control car and then with James' bicycle pump. We did not get to the water park, but watched TV off and on. KK watered plants in back. KK and Shel lmade pizza. Yummy. KK had some strawberry milk with his pizza. Tyler came over. Papa told a story of a family with small boys that were preparing for a summer of travel with their race car, KK brushed his teeth and they sparkled. Papa layed down on the couch as KK played with his cars and told Papa short story of kids that wanted to race, but their Mom said, "No" and they said please and so she said, "Yes". They raced and then had chocolate ice cream. A few minutes later KK fell right to sleep next to his Papa. I sure love him - He misses his Mom, but actually he is doing ok. We miss you

Love, KK and Dadums

*Shack is a WWII vet who works at McDonalds for bowling money because his wife wont's give him any! He's the coolest old guy ever!]


Wednesday:
What did you do today? Anything fun? I really hope you listen to your grandparents. I miss you tons - I wish that I could call you but I can't. But I will be home soon. I have a special surprise for you. And what if when we come home we'll go out to dinner or something. What do you think? Sound like a good idea? Maybe start thinking of a place we can go to eat, Okay!? I love you

Love, Mom

P.S. I will be home in 1 day

[Since RR is working, AA and G watched me today. I had lots of fun watching TV shows all by myself because I watched MY TV shows. Later in the day I helped Papa make JW a box so we can send him parts or his bike. I was playing with my scooter and G was riding his bike. When RR got home we had spaghetti, it was so yummy, I ate it all up! I had an accident again last night :/ Papa took me to the waterpark and we stayed till they shut the water off. It was nice and warm today. After the water park RR made me a bath. It was nice and warm too! Now we are getting ready for bed. I can't wait to see you and Mr H.! I love you guys!

Love, RR and KK]

Thursday:
guess what? Tomorrow I will be home. So go to sleep then when you wake up I will be home. So go nigh-night. I can't wait to hold and kiss and suddle with you. I have missed you tons. Have you thought about a place to eat? I have missed you tons but it is time for bed. In the morning we can open presents and hang out and I will give you lots of kisses.

Love, Mom

P.S. I'll be home tomorrow

[Hey KK noticed the TV was covered with a blanket for nite-nite. He said who covered the T.V. and I said the T.V. did cause it is tired. He said we have hands then said the T.V. doesn't have arms or hands and so who covered the T.V.?

Love, KK and Dadums]

5 Things You Didn't Know About G

I found out on Friday that G has an admirer who has "Googled" him and found out about this blog so I thought this would the best time to list the 5 things you didn't know about G -- I won't be too embarrassing! Haha

G takes a longer shower than Mr H., KK, and I put together. He likes taking "hour-showers" as we call it. Who knows what he's doing in there and why, but he once took all of the hot water from our house. I took a shower about 15 minutes after him and there was absolutely NO hot water left, I was a little frustrated and now we time his showers and we'll turn off the water if he goes over.

G is so scared of spiders. Occasionally we'll find a spider in the house and he screams like a little girl, more so than me (and I really do not like spiders). He just tenses and freaks out

When he would race BMX as a little kid, he would ALWAYS be beat by a little girl named Lexi.

G has disgusting fat guy farts. His farts sound like each individual bubble is struggling to exit his butt cheeks. (I know this is gross to read, but it's true)

G is very talented when it co,es to playing music. His love is with music and I hope that always continues.


This was the only recent picture I could find of G. Him and KK were playing around ion the tractor equipment at the pumpkin patch.

Pumpkin Patch

Today, as a family, we went out to the pumpkin patch. We've been wanting to go but we've been horribly busy with all sorts of activities. Since I had somewhat of a slow weekend with homework and Mr H. had his birthday yesterday and took this weekend off we thought today was the perfect day.

We went on an awesome hay-ride. I've been going to this pumpkin patch since I've had KK and we've never gone on the hay-ride. It was so much fun!


The hay ride path was longer than I thought it would be, I thought maybe 5 minutes or so, but it was about 20-25 minutes (maybe even longer!) It was very bumpy and very muddy.



On the ride there were 3 parts when something jumped out of the woods and scared the riders. KK just wanted to sit on my lap to protect him but he was still anxious about something scaring him. The last scary thing that jumped out of the woods scared KK so badly that his screamed pierced everyone's ears. But what made it funny was that he was so late in his reaction to the scary thing. It was like he had a 3-4 second delayed reaction. Everyone in the hay-ride laughed. I had to hold him the rest of the time cause he was shaking and afraid of more scary people jumping out.

This pumpkin patch had animals on the grounds too. KK loved running around and checking out all of the animals




KK has gotten so big and tall! I love this boy

KK loved playing with all of the wooden toys. He would play with one for a few seconds than run and jump off that one to move to the next toy. And I was watching him like a hawk. I wanted him to have his freedom, but I was on him like white on rice.



I wanted to have a picture with my baby. I've gotten a picture with him every single year in the exact same spot.





Look at my boys! I enjoy them...they give me so much happiness!

Reasons I know G is Back

G has been back in Ohio for a week now. This has been bittersweet for me. But one thing I do know is that I can definitely tell G is back here and these are my reasons:

Our refrigerator is empty -- I usually need to shop every week when he's here. For the 7 weeks he was gone I went shopping maybe twice.

I am doing 3X the laundry -- Now I know what you are saying..."make him do the laundry!" Which would make sense if G were responsible. If he were to do the laundry I would be afraid that he would brake the washer or dryer and use a TON of detergent. So for me, it's not worth the trouble making him do his laundry.

This goes with the top one -- Yesterday G made 2 grilled cheese sandwiches and used a half of a stick of butter! HALF A STICK!

I can't keep my house clean -- It seems that more places, which are used or not used, are filthy. There's too much to do.

Over the weekend EVERY SINGLE dish in our house was used and is dirty in the sink.

There is more yelling and arguing and crying from KK. KK does not like being told what to do by G. But sometimes when they are riding their bikes KK NEEDS to listen to him.

We are locking our room again. When we leave and know G will be in the house, we lock our bedroom because there are things in there that we do not want him getting in to, such as the guns.

Now there are some good things about G being here...like there's someone to clean up Zero's poop...Hopefully throughout this year I will find some more redeeming qualities in G because right now all I can focus on are the negatives. But I really have been trying to be better. Mr H. has to continually remind me to let things go, which is very difficult for me to do.

Questions Answered

Remember this?

I've decided to blog Charity's suggestion about KK and G sharing a bedroom, how they get along, and if I will ever adopt G.

When G first moved here March 2010 Mr H. was living in a 1 bedroom very small apartment. There was no room to squeeze another bed into the bedroom and Mr H. thought, "heck no" on sharing a bed with G so he partitioned off the living room and made a little make-shift bedroom for G. Once G left for Arizona to see his mom that summer, I got got rid of the make-shift room and started adding a little of my junk to the apartment since we were going to be married only 2 weeks later. This tiny 1 bedroom apartment was to be our home for 4 people for the next 2 months. KK slept with us, he had a toddler bed that fit perfectly at the foot of our bed. G slept in the living room but there was no privacy for him. It was cramped and all 4 of us were at each other's throats. It was horrible.

After those exhausting 2 months we moved into a much bigger 2 bedroom 2 bath condo. We got a pretty sweet deal on the place too, which always makes it nicer. With some paint on the walls and our stuff moved in we were able to call it home. It is a lot bigger, but we seemed to have outgrown it at times. We have a living room, TV room, large kitchen, dining room, 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, small backyard, and 2 car garage. When we first moved in...the boys shared a room. This worked out great for a while, except when G had to get ready for school and would wake KK up (sometimes on purpose). Then after a while, KK would wake up in the middle of the night with a nightmare and come sleep with us. KK's the littlest person in the family but the biggest bed-hog (that's another post). Then after a while we just set KK's small bed at the foot of our bed for convenience and KK usually sleeps in our room. While G was in Arizona this summer we occasionally put KK in his room, but it never fails that he ends up back in our room.

TV room

Master bathroom entrance

Master Bedroom

Kitchen


KK and G get along pretty well. It's hard because G is 14 and KK is only 4 so finding something they both can enjoy is a hard task. Also G is way too rough at times. And G is THE BIGGEST tattle-tale and sometimes I really don't care what KK is doing as long as he is not bothering me. But mostly they pretty much get along. But I still do not trust him to watch KK as in babysitting. I wish I could but no, they don't get along that well.

And as for adopting G. I will probably never adopt him. He has a mom in Arizona. She would never give her rights up as a parent and I would never want her to. G will be an adult in less than 4 years and so there's no reason for me to adopt him. He knows that he is a part of this family and no legal adoption papers would make any difference on that matter.

On My Mind Lately

G is coming back to Ohio on Saturday. I have a mix of feelings about this...mostly because G is the hardest and most emotionally draining kid I have EVER met! I know he has a better future living with us....but that also means Mr H. and I have some pretty big issues to tackle with him.

My ankle is not feeling better and I am afraid of a fracture. The sucky thing is that we do not have insurance, the boys do, but Mr H. and I don't. Mr H. has access to insurance through his work, but it's $1360/month plus a $5000 deductible on every dependent. We should just set money aside for accidents that may happen. I should talk to Mr H. about doing that...

Mr H. has started flying lessons, as in going up in an airplane and learning how to fly. I am glad that he is happy and I know that he has wanted to do this for a very long time. He's even saved up money for it so we're not tapping into our savings or checking. I just think the timing was off. He has been working on my sister's car, he's going to school, and I hurt my ankle and need help at home more. I don't want to take this away from him but I just think the timing could have been better.

I am very obsessive. I don't like people touching my things and I am very observant. I can tell if people have moved items. I think I may be a little OCD. I know I have CDO (everything of mine is alphabetized) and yes, it makes me go crazy when people do not put things back in the alphabetical order, or any order!

I am nervous about having a sitter for KK when I go back to school in the fall. JM will be moving once she is married. I am afraid RR will get married and move to Utah, and AA is going to school too. I'm just afraid...I don't know what I should do once I don't have a sitter anymore. I guess, the "unknown" makes me nervous.

I want a baby. Well, not RIGHT NOW! I want to finish school and get a good job. But I eventually want to bring a life into this world again. I want to experience a good labor and a healthy natural birth. Maybe, one day!?

Because my ankle is so screwed up I can't clean my house. Once I am down on the floor I can't get back up. I look around the house and all I see is mess, mess, mess. I need help cleaning, but no one is here. I've cleaned both bathrooms, kitchen, and the TV room in 1 week, it took so long. I just want to be healthy again.

KK's dad has not had physical contact with KK since July 4th (he's called him once or twice). It's wearing on KK. He keeps asking if he can go over to his house. When I say that he can't or that he hasn't called me back I know it hurts him. He looks like he is on the verge of tears but tries to hold back. I've even offered to bring KK over, but so far he is too busy to have KK come over or even call KK. It's sad, but what really upsets me is that I am the one who has to pick up KK's broken heart. *To his family who reads this, I do not blame you. He can make up his own mind and right now it's pretty clear what that is. My intention is not to lash out or to be mean. I wrote this because this is something that has been weighing on my mind lately*

I'm sure there are lots more things going on in my head but that's all I can think of...I'm tired and going to bed. Goodnight friends and family.

Easter Sunday

Get ready for lots of pictures with little words! I'm trying to get caught up with blogging. I feel like there isn't very much going on worth blogging about but I also feel like I am behind when it comes to blogging...so we'll see how it goes.

KK trying to find his Easter basket at our house.


Found it!


Zero's Easter present


KK showing how he will dunk the eggs. See how upset G looks!? Yeah, that's because he didn't get his way


JM's BIG surprise!


Z was so nervous


I KNEW it was coming!


Look how happy the couple looks!?


She said yes!


Congrats to the couple. I am very excited for them...they have a lot to handle right now. But Z is a great guy and JM is very lucky to have him in her life. He is not the father of her baby but he loves the baby and wants to raise JEM as his own child. He loves JM and he is a very warm-hearted and funny guy. I love that he wrestles with KK, which is KK's favorite thing to do, and makes KK warn out and sleep better. The only thing I don't like...is that he taught KK how to make spit balls :( But that's ok, I have some things up my sleeves to teach JEM. All-in-all Easter was good.

Mother's Day Eve

Yesterday KK's grandmother, L, from Virginia came to visit for a couple of days. KK was so excited to see her, he hasn't seen her since his birthday. She spoils him so much and takes him to do lots of fun stuff. He wanted to make a list of everything they were to do while she was here some of the items include: Going to the Movies, Air Force Museum, Bounce U, Bowling, Golfing, and some other things. I called L last night to ask how KK was doing and to say goodnight and she said she couldn't help it, but she spent a ton of money on him at Wal-Mart. I laughed...KK was so busy playing with his new toys that he was too preoccupied to say goodnight.

Today was kind of a laid back day. I was able to sleep in, make breakfast for everyone, and watch a little bit of ER. Mr H's mom sent me a mother's day card that was very very sweet. I love his family. His sisters, who are both pregnant, are both great to talk to. I just feel bad that I didn't send them a card for mother's day. It was seriously not at the forefront of my mind...we've had too many things going on. But I will call them tomorrow and wish them a Happy Mother's Day.

I also worked today. Nannie is doing well, she is in Congestive Heart Failure though and she has a sore on her heel. She loves it when I eat with her...even if I'm not hungry, she just likes it when I sit with her. She's sad and wants to go back home to West Virginia but she can't survive on her own. I felt bad when she was on the verge of tears saying, "I want to go home. I just want go home." Soon after, Mr H. and G stopped by and dropped off a fountain drink for me. I fed them some of the chicken that was made. I had been craving donuts all day. I LOVE pastries, donuts, cakes, etc. And so when Mr H. and G left I thought they were going home but they actually went to Bill's donuts and brought them back to me and we all ate a donut. Nannie was too full to eat one but she enjoyed talking to the boys.

Once I was home from work I started making my mother's day gifts. They were all homemade. I would love to give more detail but I have to wait until everyone receives them.

All-in-all, today was a good day we weren't tried as hard as other days...at least with anything new. We're just trying to make sense and piece together everything else which had been going on previously. I'm hoping that the days continue to get better, little by little..."By small and simple things are great things brought to pass" Alma 37:6

Isn't he the cutest thing ever!?

Signing off, Goodnight!

The Attitude of Gratitude

I had written a huge and long post about some of the things that were going on here at home...some of the trials we are facing, but I decided that I should save it for my own personal journal. But all I want to say about it is that I know everyone has trials going on in their life which are hard to deal with and some of these trials seem like they will never end, some of them will make any sane person want to scream or cry, and some, well, some are just plain unexplainable.

Our family has been hit hard with some pretty unexplainable trials -- one right after the other -- with no break. I seriously feel like my head is almost completely under the water and I can't breathe...I am drowning. I'm really hoping that things start lightening up a bit. So in the mean time I would like to mention a few things that are positives, things that I am grateful for. These positives do not outweigh the bad but...you gotta start somewhere, right!?

Zero:
I am grateful that she is so gentle and loves the boys. She seriously has anxiety when the boys are not here at our house. She is such a funny dog. I am grateful when she stays out of my way (which isn't very much). She is a good doggy.

KK:
Where to start? I am so grateful for KK he is the light in my darkness. He makes me laugh so hard. Just the other day I said something to him and he managed to throw himself into a fit of giggles for about a minute. I don't even remember what I said but it was funny to him. KK is always the first person to remind us to say prayers before eating. He also has the most sweetest spirit about him. I was holding him like a baby yesterday and I kissed him and he asked me to kiss him again and then he told me that he loves cuddling with me. I am very grateful that KK decided to chose me as his mother.

G:
Where to start!? No, really, I don't know where to start. Today he folded a load and a half of laundry and cleaned the counters. G really loves band and theater, he really likes to act! I am grateful for the times that he does play nicely with KK and the times that he is behaving.

Mr H.:
My husband is my best friend. He is my support and my rock. I feel so much support from him. I am grateful that he is the type of guy who likes to talk and can talk to me about anything...especially planes, guns, and the law...which make my ears tired. I love how excited he gets about things that interest him. I am grateful that we met and chose to share our lives together.

Let's hope that spending time thinking about the positives will help me stay grounded and focus on what matters the most.

Orthostatic Hypotension Vasovagal Syncope Episode

You're asking me what is this? Let me break it down...Orthostatic Hypotension is what happens when you stand up too fast and you feel dizzy or like you're going to pass out. Vasovagal has to deal with the vagal nerve in the parasympathetic nervous system (rest and digest). Syncope is when you actually pass out.

I let Mr H. take a nap this afternoon...he works hard and I think he deserves to take a nap when he is tired. While he was napping I was checking on G making sure he was studying. G had a Saturday school today and was a little butt-hurt that I was making him study even though he studied for a whopping 3 hours in Saturday School. KK was with my parents and since I had a semi-quiet house I poppd in a movie to watch. After the movie, I checked on G and he was sleeping. SLEEPING! I told him maybe he should study at the dining room table to help him not sleep. After not listening to me and adding 2 more days onto his grounding G decided he should go to the table. He was being G and started saying some mean things to me which Mr H. had heard from the bedroom and Mr H. came rushing into the room and started scolding G.
Then all of a sudden Mr H. slumped over the table and then sort of leaned over and face-planted into the floor vent. I freaked out...called his name. He didn't respond. My heart sank. G was still sitting at the table still mad that we were getting on his case...he wasn't observant as to what was going on with his dad. I told G to move...to give me more room. I rolled Mr H. over...his ashen face and his eyes rolling in the back of his head made me tell G to grab the phone and call 911. G was just sitting on the couch still pissed off at us. I got up, ran to my room, and grabbed the phone. I leaped back over to Mr H., who was now conscious and profusely bleeding from his head. Mr H. asked what happened? He was wondering why he laid down on the floor to finish his nap. His face wasn't so grey and his color was returning. G brought me a wet wash cloth to wipe up the blood that was now seeping into his hair. I was shaking so hard and my heart was pounding. I told Mr H. that he probably needs stitches and he told me, "Naw, that's what tape's for!" That statement helped me to know that he was feeling better. For about an hour Mr H. was still looking very pale and I made him sit and eat something and drink some water. Now he feels back to normal. I am concerned about him. I hope that was an isolated incident! The only thing that I can think of to make him do that is standing up too quickly and then getting upset with G and raising his voice which can increase the blood flow to his head. But his blood vessels couldn't adapt quickly enough to the increased blood flow and he went down. Let's hope this doesn't happen again. I don't want to experience something scary ever again!