So far in 2017

As most, our house is hoping that this year brings new opportunities and great growth.  Who knew that not even 2 weeks into the year we would be be facing our biggest outbreak of illness.  Last week Mr. H had to call off 2 days of work for his illness.  Monday I had to call off work to take both boys to the doctor and they both were diagnosed with strep throat.  KK was so bad, he had a hard time walking and was shivering with fever for a good 24 hours (Caleb reacts very harsh to the strep virus).  ET only had a wet cough and low appetite. Both started their antibiotics, KK slept most of the day under our electric blanket. I kept them home from school Monday and Tuesday to allow the meds to do their thing.  In those 2 days I scrubbed and cleaned door knobs, handles, bedding, blankets, etc.  I wanted the illness to leave this house as fast as it came.  Wednesday, the boys went to school and we went to work.  While at work, I was cold, shivering, and couldn't get warm.  I hurt all over.  I didn't want to eat.  I took my temp throughout the day and it reached 100.8 at the end of the day.  I'm grateful I work with physicians, because I was able to obtain a prescription to start, which I got filled at the pharmacy at the hospital. But towards the end of my shift, I was useless.  I came home, took a scolding hot bath, turned the electric blanket up, took sleeping meds and went to bed.  Mr. H. didn't want to disturb me and went to bed on the couch that night.  I called my mom Thursday to ask if she could pick up the boys from school, which she agreed.  She was still dealing with insurance things from the tree.  When she came to my house after picking up ET from school in the AM, she was worried and stayed at my house until after she picked up KK.  She's such a good mom.  I was useless on Thursday too.  Friday, I was feeling worse, despite the antibiotics, I was useless.  I called my doctor and was prescribed something different.  After 24 hours on the new meds, I'm feeling 50% back to normal.  I'm sure I'll continue to feel better the longer I've been on the meds.  Throughout all of this, I feel that all Moms should have immunity from illness.  We are the glue of the family that somehow holds everything together.  I didn't realize how fast my kids make messes, or how high the trash piles, or how many dishes are used, or how dirty my floors are before I start to pick up the messes, take out the garbage, clean the dishes, or vacuum the floor.

I'm hoping that during 2017 we keep some of these resolutions:

• Continue towards being debt free
• Make healthy choices to live a healthy life and be active
• Make more memories
• Meet new friends
• Take chances and be more confident
• Reduce stress
• Have a garage sale
• Become organized
• Journal more

We shall see was 2017 has in store for us.  I'm hoping that this outbreak of illness will be our only for at least this year.  

Night Flight

So, Mr H. finished his PPL...YEAH!  And July 21st, I let Mr H. take us up on a night flight.  He really had to bribe me because the last time I was on a flight with him, I was freaking out.  I hate take offs, descending, and the bumps in the air...it makes knots in my stomach.  So, I told Mr H. that it would take something very special to get me back up in the air and so this is what he bought me:

Oh, Mr H., how can I say no to a Vera Bradley purse!?  He has good taste, doesn't he!?  So, after bribing, he chose a day where the weather would be smooth for me.  He decided that a night flight would be best.  KK wanted to come too, he was so excited.  I was a bit nervous because if something happened, that's my whole family.  Every person in that plane I love dearly and would hate for something to happen.  But I do trust Mr H. with my family's lives and he promised that it would be a smooth flight.  

Pretending to fly

We decided to go to Richmond, IN.  The reason we chose to go to Indiana is because I am still working on these Goals (#40) and I want to visit 10 states.  So far I've visited Michigan, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and now Indiana.  4 more to go! 

Goofy Face

Mr H. getting the plane ready for take-off

Goofy face

Once we were up in the air I was still a bit nervous but being able to have my headset to talk and listen to everything really helped calm me down.  KK loved it, he was talking up a storm.  At random times he would just start giggling.  It was the best thing in the world to hear him that excited. 

OH

YEAH

And just before we got to Richmond, IN he told us that he was going to close his eyes, "for 2 mins". 

ZZZZZZZ

He slept the rest of the ride.  We put him to bed and soon followed suit.  It was a beautiful flight with no bumps, it was THE smoothest flight ever.  I enjoyed it a lot.  

Independence Day

# 67 ✔ July 4, 2011

Today was a LONG day so this will probably be a long post with lots of pictures.

Mr H. went in to work for the morning because there was a lot to do because of the hail damaged cars. He wanted to try and get ahead on all the work he had this week for a nice paycheck which we haven't had in over 3 months. So in order to get caught up on our bills he went to work in the morning.

In Centerville, there is an Americana festival every 4th of July, there are booths, food, games, petting zoo, bouncing houses, and lots and Lots and LOTS of people. This year we missed the parade and just went to the booths. Our church has a booth where they take pictures of families and people can decorate frames. They also were handing out Popsicles because it was so hot outside.


There were other booths where KK played a game and won a little prize. While KK played a game I got my nails painted red, white, and blue by this little old lady from Germany who was so nice, but should not have been painting nails as mine did not come out well. But it was the thought that counted and it was free so nothing lost.

After looking at all the booths KK wanted to go to the bouncy houses. So we stood in line and he was able to go on the huge slide, the obstacle course, and the princess bouncy house. He was having so much fun.

Next, we went to the petting zoo. They had all sorts of animals to touch and feed. I told KK just to look, but he didn't listen to me. The petting zoo was under a large tent and there were a lot of people crammed in looking at all of the animals.

He was so super excited to see all of the animals

Goats

Camels

He liked the tortoise!

Did I mention that there were a lot of people!?

Good, because there were so much so that I lost KK for about 3 LONG mins. I was waiting in line for KK to ride an animal and I was watching him like a hawk until there was a group of people who got in my way for a couple seconds and once they moved KK wasn't there anymore. I waited a couple seconds thinking that he would pop back up, but he never did. My heart fell into my stomach and I start panicking. I run over to the last place I saw him and I'm searching everywhere. I start yelling his name and looking at every little kid his size. My voice was cracking when I yelled. I thought to myself, "What am I supposed to do!? Who would I contact to spread the word that he is lost? He's wearing blue shorts...EVERY little boy here is wear blue shorts. Oh God, please let me find him, please let him be ok!" Then it was like out of nowhere I caught a glimpse of his shoes and I pushed my way through the crowd and there he was in the middle of the petting zoo tent looking at some bunnies. I grabbed his arm and he protested but walked with me. I walked out of the tented area and under a tree and just collapsed. I couldn't take a step further. KK asked looking very concerned, "Do you not feel well Mommy!?" "No, KK I don't!" Then he said, "Well, you should call Mimi and Papa so they can come pick you up!" He wanted to go back into the petting zoo, but I bribed him with fruit snacks to not rush me standing or walking. I was so shaken that I couldn't even open the package of fruit snacks. After about 10 mins I felt ok to stand and asked KK if we could just go home...he didn't argue.

Sitting under the tree

But before we left he got a balloon hat. He wanted it to be pink (his favorite color) and I heard someone say something about if their son ever wanted something pink...blah blah blah I didn't listen to the rest because people are dumb. KK loves pink and there's NOTHING wrong with that!

After the festival my parents, A, KK, and I went to Chili's for lunch. Mr H. called and said he was done for the day and I invited him to come eat with us. He told me that he found a great deal on a SUV and he wanted me to come check it out.

So after we ate, I test drove the SUV and really liked it. It was very nice but was thinking, "I JUST paid off my car! I don't want another car payment! But I also know that Mr H's van is a POS and what if it dies soon and we really would need to get a car and these kinds of deals do not happen all of the time!" So I toyed around with the idea of getting it...we talked to the salesman and crunched numbers. I didn't feel comfortable with the numbers and I told Mr H. we should think and talk about it at home.

Once at home I made red, white and blue jello, I didn't know how it would turn out but I thought I would try anyway!

RP invited us to his house for the fireworks but on the way KK fell asleep. He was so tired from all the excitement this morning.

RP's house is so close to the fireworks that we walked. I brought a glow-in-the-dark necklace and some sparklers to entertain KK until the fireworks started. It's a good thing I did because they were a half hour late getting started.

Waiting for the fireworks

He loved the sparklers

Happy Boy!

Oh RP!

Me and my Babes

The fireworks finally started

Halfway through the show he told me that he was tired and asked
if I could hold his ears shut cause it was so loud

During the grand finale he woke up and got really excited. Once the fireworks were done we walked back to RP's house and had some of the red, white, and blue Jello. It was actually really good. I enjoyed it very much. After we were done eating it we buckled KK in the car seat and drove home and fell asleep. We all were tuckered!

Honey Wheat Bread

# 47 ✔ June 27, 2011

On Monday afternoon I decided I wanted to make some bread. I've never made bread before. Growing up my parents would make bread occasionally...but mostly in the bread maker. I don't have a bread maker and I have a half way decent mixer [I REALLY want a Kitchen Aid...my birthday is next month! lol]. I figured this couldn't be too hard to make...time consuming, yes, but not hard. I was surprisingly right. This was an easy task.

KK helping

Pouring the flour, he managed to get more on the floor than in the bowl a couple of times

Whenever my mom baked pie crust, bread, or anything doughy she would make this dough-monster by poking holes for the eyes and gave it a mouth and would chase us kids and tell us the dough-monster would eat us. We all would squeal in delight as we ran around the house and mom trailed after us. This was my attempt at the dough monster, although, I did not expect KK to try and fight back by punching and kicking it

The finished work. The loaves are not pretty, I admit that, but they do taste very good. The bread is great for sandwiches or as toast. This is a recipe that is going to be used a lot in our family

No More Car Payment

# 59 ✔ March 2011


✔ 59 Complete &hearts

Remember this? Well, in March I paid off my car. I bought it in March 2006, on the assumption that, at the time, I didn't have a whole lot of other debt and could kind of splurge a little. Then a couple weeks after I bought it I found out that I was pregnant...so much for splurging!

I love my car though, I've never had a problem with it and it's nice looking with leather seats and a moon roof.

Do you remember this?

Since I posted this on my old blog and now that I have a new one...I decided to repost my list. Just to keep everyone up to date on how I am doing on my goals.

I was reading on one of my friends, Adrienne's, blogs about making goals and pushing yourself to achieve those goals. I know for me, it feels good to accomplish things that I strive for. So I have decided to make a goal list for myself. I am excited to stretch and grow spiritually, emotionally, and physically as I strive to accomplish these goals.

Start Date: April 6, 2010

End Date: December 31, 2012

These are in no particular order

C's 101 Goals in 1001 Days

1. Put $1 in a jar for every task complete...$5 for every non-complete
2. Teach KK his alphabet letters
3. Teach KK to read
4. Take a dance class with KK
5. Make an outfit or blanket and donate it to this website
6. Visit another country ✔ August 16, 2010
7. Read the Book of Mormon ✔2012
8. Read the Doctrine & Covenants
9. Read the Pearl of Great Price
10. Read the Old Testament ✔2012
11. Read the New Testament
12. Visit my family in Detroit
13. Do a round-off back-hand-spring and hopefully record it on video
14. Take piano lessons long enough to learn a hymn
15. Learn a new crafty talent ✔ July 2010
16. Begin working out regularly
17. Learn to love those who have hurt me
18. Meet 5 new people and become friends with them ✔ Nursing Students
19. Photograph 26 things (A-Z themed)
20. Learn to love running
21. Have a Yard/Garage sale ✔ June 9, 2012
22. Go camping
23. Drink only water for one week
24. Go fishing
25. Run a 5K
26. Learn to ride a motorcycle
27. Learn to garden ✔ Summer 2012
28. Hang out with a friend I haven't seen in over 6+ months ✔ August 5, 2012 (Cassandra)
29. Start taking a multivitamin everyday
30. Do something I would NEVER expect myself to do
31. Create a 72 hour kit
32. Start developing a 3 months supply of food storage ✔ October 2011
33. Learn to make Japanese food from my Mom
34. Write a letter to no one and release it into the wind.
35. Redo my blogger page ✔ December, 2010
36. Learn HTML codes ✔ December, 2011
37. Write snail mail to someone ✔ January 2011
38. Do 100 sit ups without taking a break
39. Do 50 push-ups without taking a break
40. Visit 10 different states
41. No carbonated drinks for 1 month ✔ Lent 2012
42. Go to bed before 10pm for a week
43. Wake up before 6am for a week
44. Go to a play, concert, or show ✔ Jnue 8, 2012
45. Go bowling with my family ✔ April 20, 2012
46. Make an effort to have FHE each Monday for 2 months
47. Learn to make bread ✔ June 27, 2011
48. Read the Ensign cover to cover one month
49. Learn patience with things I cannot change ✔ August, 2012
50. Move into my own place ✔ October 2010
51. Go to the Temple every weekend for a month
52. Write in my journal every day for a month
53. Write my testimony in 5 Book of Mormons and give them out
54. Go snow skiing
55. Take KK to Disney World/Land
56. Do my visiting teaching 100% for 6 months
57. Ride a horse for the first time in my life
58. Eliminate my credit card debt
59. Pay off my car ✔ March 2011
60. Go on a one day vacation with just myself
61. Go on a cruise ✔ August 14, 2010
62. Give an anonymous gift ✔ August, 2012
63. Watch a sunrise or sunset ✔ August 16, 2010
64. Hike the 'Wind Caves' in Logan, UT again
65. Make my bed everyday for a week
66. Finish 'The Work and the Glory' novels
67. Take KK the the 4th of July fireworks for the 1st time of his life ✔ JULY 4, 2011
68. Have a girls night out ✔ August 2012
69. Go to a bachelorette party ✔ here
70. Get a couples massage and facial
71. Build a sand castle ✔ June 2012
72. Get married again ✔ July 31, 2010
73. Go on a honeymoon for the very first time in my life ✔ August 13, 2010
74. Jump on a big trampoline
75. Play around with the idea of adding more children to my family ✔ January 2012
76. Go on a Hot Air balloon ride
77. Have a food fight
78. Go to a sporting event
79. Take a walk in the rain
80. Do something and surprise someone
81. Get to know my neighbors
82. Stop eating junk food for a week
83. Reorganize my things ✔ October 2010
84. Take a bath and relax ✔ May 29, 2011
85. Teach KK to go to sleep in his own bed ✔ January 2012
86. Teach KK to go to sleep without my help ✔ January 2012
87. Stop shopping at Jo-Ann Fabrics for 6 months
88. Take a helicopter ride
89. Learn something new ✔ July/August 2011
90. Get a manicure and pedicure ✔July 30, 2010
91. Take inventory and organize my crafts
92. Cut the boy's hair and calculate how much I save a year ✔ December 2011
93. No TV or Computer for a week
94. Recycle
95. Get to church on time for 3 months
96. Cook every meal for 2 weeks
97. No fast food for 3 months
98. Sing to someone  ✔ 2011
99. Brush my teeth after every meal for a week
100. Inspire someone to make their own goal list
101. Make another goal list

Now because I am human and things do change in my life. I am allowing myself to change or to edit my goals list once every 6 months