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]

Done and Done

I have been working on a crocheted quilt for my baby sister. She graduated from high school this past year and I wanted to make her something. No, I've never really made or given a gift to any of my other siblings but I just felt that I needed to do something special for her. She was the last one to graduate and she always feels shafted because she is the youngest.

AA has a very bright personality. She dances to the beat of her own drum and doesn't fit into any one mold. So when I saw these colors it made me instantly think of her.

(P.S. Don't mind me, I look really weird)


She just recently moved in with my brother and has been making her bedroom a place where she would love to be and I hope this afghan will help her room be that place.

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.

Dayton Vectren Air Show

Last year we were able to go to the Dayton Vectren Air Show where there were lots of planes and things to see. KK royally enjoyed himself last year and we wanted to take him again but we've been having a severe heat wave and we're not allowed to take in coolers or big water jugs. Both Mr H. and I and even my dad were worried that the heat would be too much for KK so decided to leave him with my parents. Since we had two extra tickets, I invited RP and AA to come. We had a blast.

All together

Alyssa posing with a pilot!

RP and I being goofy

Us, again!

A small plane...Mr H. could tell you what kind it was

The Whale of the Sky...Can you believe it actually flies!?

We were really excited to see the Thunderbirds this year and of course they were the very last show. The sky kind of looked a little "ify" but they took off and did a couple "fly-bys" but after about 2 mins they had to call it because the storm clouds were really rolling in. It stunk that we only saw a couple mins worth, but oh well! We started walking to our car and the rain started coming. Once we got home this is what we arrived to find:
this...

this...

and this!

I'm just glad no one was hurt and everyone stayed safe. Maybe it was a good thing KK stayed, he is terrified of storms and this probably would have really scared him. Maybe we will be able to take him next year to the air show!?

Bathroom Psycho

AA is in moving into RP's house as soon as they get everything painted and set up for her. After RP's wife, Jessica, left him he's felt a little lonely in his two bedroom home with Baby Meh (his cat) and Baby Xerxes (sp) (his chinchilla). They've put a lot of work into fixing it up and the only room that is totally finished is the bathroom...take a look:

Pretty cool huh!?

Memorial Weekend

This was a busy weekend so be patient as I ramble on [warning: this is a long post]. Not only is JM still in the hospital (and probably will be until the baby comes) but it's my sister, AA's graduation party.

Friday May 27:
I told KK to get himself dressed in the morning and this is what he picked out

I asked him if he wanted some shorts on because it was hot and he whined and said no, so this is how he looked when we left our house...and no I couldn't touch his socks, that's how he wanted them. When I locked our house up KK told me that "Tweety" was the in water. Remember the bird? Well, Mr H. named him/her Tweety. I looked and looked at the water and did not see the bird anywhere. The bird really camouflaged itself but KK saw it.

And since the bird cannot fly I felt that I should try and help the little guy out of the water hole. I grabbed a Frisbee and a stick and lured him onto the Frisbee and out of the hole he came. KK was so excited that I saved the bird...I was his new hero. It made me feel good. And after rescuing Tweety we drove to meet our family counselor for a session. There are things that she would like me to work on that might help the "G Situation" such as:

Timer Attention: Giving him attention even if I have to set a timer. "Hey I only have 10 mins but I would love to hear about your day..."

Emphasize positive/Minimize negatives: 5 positives for every 1 negative

Earning is much more effective than taking away: Do not focus on taking away, focus on him earning things

Shaping: Working this a little over time. One step in the right direction = praise. Just like a baby learning to run, praise for standing, 1 step, walking, running

Mental Motivators: "I've got Mr H...this will get easier...the only way out is through...I'm training/reteaching

Think about weekly chores instead of daily ones

say "yes" unless you absolutely can't

These may not seem like hard tasks...but these are painful for me to even think about doing. I know I have not talked a lot about "G's situation" but it's something that is THE BIGGEST and most serious stress for our family.

Saturday May 28:
These next pictures are some more of the damage from the storm.


All of the dots on the fence are hits from the hail. In total damage for our house, 3 screens need to be replaced and the shutters, our kitchen skylight, back patio glass and light, and our air conditioner. I'm just glad everyone was safe and no one was harmed.

Bath Time = Mohawk for KK

Sunday May 29:
AA's graduation party was today. She is the last of my 5 siblings to graduate from high school. She was pretty fired up for her party...lots of food, corn hole, and mud wrestling...yes, mud wrestling. AA shared her open house with her friend, Megan, they've been friends since junior high, I think.

I just have to laugh at this photo with RR

Volleyball

KK LOVED the pool



Now trying to splash mom


Peeknut, (A's ball python) made an appearance too!

Too cute not to photo

Mud Wrestling





KK was so upset that dirt was put into the pool and it didn't help when Aunt RR threw him into the dirty water, but Mimi helped him get over it when she gave him the hose with the sprayer on it and he got everyone within a 5ft radius wet!

I even got mud on me from all the splashing and unfortunately I had to toss the shirt because it didn't come out

Today was a great day, A had fun, there was lots of food and company. The only sucky thing about the day was Mr H. had a severe migraine, which I gave him a muscle relaxer for, and he was dead to the world sleeping it off until about 45 mins before we left the party, he was sleeping for a total of 3.5 hours

Monday May 30:
No pictures today. We had a pretty busy day but what made it great was that Mr H. had the day off. G carried the flag at the Memorial Day picnic. We ate great food and played Cornhole, which I beat Mr H. at! KK had a fun time playing and like a mom would, I brought extra drinks for my family, which was a good thing because the water fountain wasn't working and KK was so sweaty. There was also a silent auction for girl's camp. I donated a hand crocheted baby afghan for them to use. I bid on and won 1 night of babysitting, homemade wheat bread, and an FHE treat. Even though we are VERY financially strapped we thought it was a good service project. After the auction, one of our friends from church asked to have G over for the rest of the afternoon, which we gladly accepted. Once we were done baking in the heat we went home and hung out for the rest of the day. Once G came home we spent FHE time swimming in our pool for the first time this year. It was very nice to be a family and have the opportunity to spend the day together. Usually Mr H. leaves for work at 8am and doesn't come home until 9:30pm because of school. So to have the opportunity was such a blessing.