Feeling the need

I've been feeling the need to start blogging again. I like being able to look back to see at least a small history of our little family.

As I seem to have time on my hands, there is no time like the present. The last several weeks I've been having some health challenges and I am now hoping that I'm reaching the tail-end of Pneumonia. Now you might be asking where on Earth did I get a thing like Pneumonia? Well, I guess I can't be sure but I'm thinking that I got it when I had a minor surgery done on July 30th. Regardless of where I got it, I hope never to have it again. The coughing fits can be really violent. It kinds of feels like my lungs would like to come out of my chest and see the world :-) I'm ready to feel well again and promise not to take it for granted.

Anywho, on to less yucky subjects. My little man went in for his 10 year well child check and failed his eye exam. We don't have eye insurance for him (yet) so we took him to Costco and sure enough....

It seems his left eye is much worse than his right so he was compensating and that's why we never noticed him struggling at all. I'm glad we caught it before school starts again in Sept. I think he looks so cute in them but then I think he'd be cute wearing a bag on his head..LOL

I also started a new job at Kasier in March of this year. It's doing the same kind of work but with so much less stress. I am also able to work from home much more. This summer I've been pretty much just going in to the office on Monday's and then working the rest of the week from home. It's been so nice not needing any childcare because Tim is off on Mondays. Blake has been a little bored from time to time but has really enjoyed having me home.

That's all that I can think of now to share. More to follow...

The holiday season for our family gets harder every year. It seems like our family is somewhat jinxed when it comes to this time of the year. It all started when my mom passed away on Christmas Eve in 2005. Our beloved cat Usdi also passed away a few days before that. Since then we usually have some kind of trial right around this time of year.
Well, this year is no different. Tim's grandpa, Don Abbott,  passed away yesterday 11/25/11. He has been sick with Alzheimers and was recently diagnosed with throat cancer. He was 84. I know it was a sweet reunion for him to see his daughter again and his mom and many other loved ones. . He has been a pillar of strength in the lives of his family. A true family patriarch. We will certainly miss him. He was married to his sweetheart for 64 years. I can't imagine how hard this is for her.
I know that the holiday season is hard for a lot of people. I know we aren't alone when it comes to missing those that we love. It just makes it hard to feel any Christmas spirit. I don't want to dread the holidays but I do. I do my best to make it a special time of year for my son. I don't want him to feel the sadness.
Last year, Christmas was only 7 days after Tim's mom passed away and I think we were all kind of still in shock. I barely remember anything about it. This year, the loss will be felt even more I think.

This is a picture of Blake and Tim's grandpa this year on Halloween. That smile just says it all.

I don't think I can even begin to catch up on the months and months that I didn't blog. But for posterity's sake I want to note in my blog that we lost one incredible lady on December 18, 2010. Blake's grandma, Pamela Marie Buerke passed away. She had been sick for many years and her poor little body just couldn't take it anymore. It has been very hard learning to live without her in the last year. She was a HUGE part of our lives and we look forward to the day we will see her again.

I'm baaacckkk....

Well now, I guess it's been a loooooong time. I can't believe I haven't posted in over a year. At some point I will try to catch up with the big things that have happened but for now we'll just start with where we are now.

Blake is now 8 years old and was baptized last December. He will be starting 3rd grade in a few short weeks. This summer zipped by so fast. I can't even believe. I've been in denial I think because just last night, I finally bought all the school supplies.

I have been really busy at work this summer. I've put in a LOT of 50 hour work weeks. I guess that would help explain the summer zipping by to some degree. I have been called into young womens for the first time. I am the second counselor in the presidency. I am over the beehives. I've been in since early April. I'm really enjoying it. The girls are so awesome. (more about that later)

Not much has changed for the hubby. He just turned 40. I'm next so I can't make fun of him too much. We have decided to have a joint birthday party at the end of August. We're having it at his Aunt Kathy's house out in country. It should be a lot of fun.

I am leaving this coming Tuesday to go to Girls Camp with the young women. Laura finally talked me into going. I am going to be a cabin mom. It's the first time I've ever been so I'm excited. I hope it all goes well.

I hope to be able to get things caught up here. There has been happiness and there has been much sorrow but such is life I suppose.

More later.

First Field Trip

In May Blake went on his first field trip with the school. He was very excited. Of course, I had to take the day off and go with him. I live for this stuff. Blake couldn't wait to ride the bus. When you live 3 houses down from the school, you don't get many chances to ride the bus. It was a like a flashback for me. I haven't been on a school bus since high school.

We went to Jackson Bottom Wetlands. I drive by this every day and we had never been there. It's a great place. We went on a hike.


When we got back we had lunch and then the they had several learning stations that the kids rotated through.

Here they learned all about bats and their amazing hearing.

Then they learned all about the eagles that live in the wetland trees and how amazing their eyesight is.


It was a fun trip. We had one "oh my gosh" moment when I discovered that Blake had decided to bring one of his "aquatic" frogs to see his little friends at the wetlands. What Blake didn't realize is that his aquatic frog couldn't really live outside water and certainly not in his pocket all morning. It was really sad once he realized that the frog wasn't "sleeping" in his pocket. It was a hard lesson that he learned that day and especially at night once the gravity of it set in. He had this frog for about 2 years and it really crushed him when he realized what he had done. Uggh, hard lessons.

Mothers Day, Anniversary and Camping

Well obviously I have some catching up to do here. I know I've said this a million times but I truly can't believe how fast time flies. It's been a month since my last post.

May has been a busy month . First was Mothers Day. My boys started my day off with a wonderful breakfast in bed. I had french toast and scrambled eggs and orange juice. The best part was that my son helped to make it and then he ate with me in bed.

Blake brought home a cute card from school and bought me a new giant water jug. Hubby bought me a beautiful hanging fuchsia. Okay, so maybe I bought it but it still counts..lol I was treated like a queen all day. I am so blessed to be Blake's mom. I'll never be able to sufficiently thank my Heavenly Father for sending this amazing spirit to me. I must also thank his birth mom for being selfless enough to give us the ultimate gift.

Next was our anniversary. It's been 17 years. We were barely 21 when we got married. We truly have grown up together. It hasn't always been easy but I would do it all over again. He is my best friend. I know that even if the whole world was against me, I could come home and he would be there for me. No one has ever or will ever love me like he does. He's a great man and wonderful father. I look forward to eternity. We celebrated by having Blake spend the night with grandma and going to see a movie. After the movie we weren't very hungry so we went to Sonic and got Cherry lime-aids. It was a great evening.
Last but certainly not least, we just got home yesterday from our first camping trip of the season. We went to Beverly Beach State Park which is just North of Newport. We stayed 3 nights and went with 2 families that we really enjoy spending time with. The weather was perfect. No rain and sun every day. It did get a little chilly here and there but that made for some awesome campfire moments.

Home sweet yurt. Many years ago we used to tent camp and then we stumbled upon these and have never looked back. They are awesome.

Here are most of the kids getting ready for some fun.

Here is Blake chasing the waves.

Best friends. We're sad that these guys will be moving so it was nice to get to spend time with them before they go.

There was a great hill behind us that was just begging to be climbed. So off they all go.

Rayden and Blake are halfway at this point.

They made it to the top. That is Colin up there with them. He followed them up to make sure no one fell.

Apparently he also came in very handy for a ride back down..lol

Here's Mindy and Bella trying to stay out of the campfire smoke.

We had a silly string war.

Jaycine and Colin. Aren't they so cute!

They had some awesome trees in the park that the kids loved to climb. This one was right behind the yurt so the kids spent lots of time up in it.

Garrett made some delicious peach cobbler in the dutch oven.

Luxating Patella

That is just a fancy name for a kneecap that won't stay in place. Our dog Lexie, who will be 2 in June had this problem in both of her back legs. Genetics are probably to blame thanks to the bow legs from the pug side of her. She had surgery last Friday to fix them both. She is home now. I know that some would say "she's just a dog" blah blah and to that's okay if people feel that way but I don't so be nice if you decide to comment.

She is a part of our family. Would I ever put her over the human members of my family? No. But, if there is something I can do then I will. She loves our family unconditionally and makes us laugh daily.

Hopefully in 4 to 6 weeks she'll be as good as new.

Both legs look like this one.

Easter

A friend of mine showed me a picture of her nieces that live in Florida. They were celebrating Easter and dressed in little sun dresses and no shoes. And get this, they were outside. Can you even imagine? I wonder what that would be like?

Living in Oregon, we may never know. It was a typical cool and rainy Easter. It was also General Conference for our church. I can't remember this happening since I joined the church 8 years ago.
8 years, I can't believe I've been a member 8 years but I digress. Tim had to work Saturday so it was a pretty low key day. Blake and I watched conference then when dad got home he was back out the door to the priesthood session. Blake and I worked a little on coloring and decorating eggs and then watched The Testaments. It was a nice relaxing evening.

Sunday morning we went to a friends house to watch the morning session of conference and then enjoyed a fabulous brunch complete with homemade cinnamon rolls. Delicious. After the morning session, we headed out to deliver some tulips to the 2 great grandmas and grandma. When we got home I got busy cooking dinner. We had ham, scalloped potatoes and green bean casserole. It was delicious and we were so full that we didn't have room for the homemade peach pie and ice cream. It was the first time we have had a dinner with just our family for a holiday and it was really great. We did a lesson during dinner using plastic eggs and scriptures to talk about the days leading up to Jesus Christ being crucified and then his triumphant rise from the grave to live again. It was great. I think Blake actually started to get that Easter isn't really about the bunnies and the chocolate.

I had such a nice weekend that I didn't even realize until it was over that I had failed to take a single picture. Sometimes, I am just too busy living to remember to record it.

Sidenote: I am feeling much better now. It seems the cyst on my ovary has either gone away or chilled out. HOORAY!

Kaiser Medical Facility Tour

Alternate post title "Let's give the girl the run around for 8 hours while she is in pain"

It's probably wrong for me to talk badly about the company that I work but....

Yesterday morning I woke up with significant lower abdominal pain. This was about 630am. I kept hoping that it would just go away but no luck. So about 3pm, I had had enough. I called the advise nurse. She asked me a bunch of questions and then suggested that I go to the urgent care in Beaverton, So we dropped Blake off at grandmas and headed over. They did some lab work and I saw the doctor. My CBC was elevated and I had a slight fever. This made the doctor think that maybe it was my appendix . She wanted me to have a CT scan but they didn't have that at the Beaverton Office. So off we went to the Kaiser Interstate campus in Portland. We found the spot and they were ready for me. I had to drink a LOT of nasty stuff and after about an hour, I got an IV and they did a contrast CT. I do have to say that the Radiologist read it fairly quickly and then some doctor wanted to talk to me on the phone.

He said that my appendix was fine but I had enlarged lymph nodes on the right side and a good sized cyst on left ovary. This explained the pain but he wanted me to have a few more tests done. He sent me down to the Urgent Care in the same building. This was close to 8pm and so the urgent care didn't want to take me because they closed at 830pm. I then had to go to Kaiser Sunnyside Urgent care which is in Clackamas. By the time we got there, I had about had it. I was tired and hurting and frustrated that I kept getting the run around.

Luckily, they were ready for me at the ER and they were all very nice and very sorry that I had been put through the ringer. The doctor gave me pain medication. He was surprised that no one had offered me any all day. They then did a "not so fun" ultrasound to make sure that the cyst hadn't cut off the blood supply to my ovary. Finally at about midnight ish, they sent me home with a RX for pain meds. We got home about 1am.

Now I am supposed to take it easy for a few days and control the pain. The cyst will either burst (which I understand will be just delightful) or it will be reabsorbed.

It was a long day but I'm thankful it wasn't something more serious. It's painful but with a little help from my friend Percocet I will survive.

Sunshine on my shoulder

makes me happy. It has been a truly beautiful weekend and while I know the sun won't last because it's technically still winter, I am enjoying it just the same.

Well, the laptop is working again. Sort of. We got it back and just a few days later, Internet explorer stopped working. I have literally spent hours working with the help people but it's still not working. I was able to download Mozilla on the desktop computer and then upload it here and voila, we have Internet access again. The computer still has major issues but it's limping along.

It's been awhile since I posted. I'm trying to remember all the things that have happened. Pretty much, we just going to work or school and then doing our thing at night and then was and repeat.

We painted and redecorated Blake's bedroom which took a few Saturdays but I love the way it turned. I don't have the pictures downloaded on here but will do that and post pictures soon.

We have been in a tough stage with Blake lately. He's been having trouble telling the truth which is so frustrating. It's been no fun for any of us as we have to take privileges away and institute punishments. We just keep hoping that if we stick to our guns he'll figure it out that he gets in WAY more trouble when he lies then when he tells the truth.

We also started seeing a counselor mostly for Blake but we think it will benefit the whole family. He is a very smart kid but has a LOT of trouble sitting still and focusing in school. It's also an issue at church and if we don't try to get some help, we are worried that his smarts will only take him so far and he'll start to fall behind. He also has issues with impulse control and respecting the "space bubble" that people have and sometimes need.

On the flip side, he is a funny, loving and outgoing kid that tries his best to cooperate. No-one thinks that he's doing anything wrong on purpose or out of malice.

Here is one example of the lying and sneakiness. He got a "paw pause" in school. He has gotten these before. They get them when they do something that isn't' safe, responsible or respectful. They are supposed to bring home the paper for the parent to see and we sign it and he takes it back in. Well, Blake decided he would just sign his dads name and turn it back in. Of course the teacher could tell right away and called us. This child is only 7 years old and it's just amazes me that he even thought of this. I think I should be afraid, very afraid. We have to get a handle on this before he gets to the teens years.

That's all that I can think of for now. I will get some pics downloaded and get some on here soon.

**Sidenote: It's been a struggle but I have lost 14 pounds since starting my new lifestyle change. Just need to keep it up and someday I will get where I'm going.

Missing my blog

Our laptop has been down AGAIN for the last month so Internet surfing has mainly been on my IPOD touch. Don't get me wrong, I totally love my new toy but I don't have the patience to post the length of a blog post on it. The buttons are to small etc etc.

Anywhoo, we have just been busy with life. The laptop is getting fixed by Toshiba AGAIN so we should have it back in the next week or two. I'll get caught up with our goings on at that time.

This weekend, I am heading to the beach with just my honey. No dog, no child. Whatever will we do? lol We haven't taken a little time away since Blake was about 3 years old so we're due.

Hope all is well with my bloggy buddies. I have been trying to keep up with you on my little bitty screen but forgive me if I've missed something.

If at first you don't succeed, try try again...

and again...and again....

I know that it's pretty cliche to start the year off with a goal of loosing weight but that's the plan. I'm not calling it a diet. I'm calling it a lifestyle change. My friend Paula and I have been walking for awhile but at the beginning of December we got off track due to a loss in her family and the holidays. We are back on track and trying to walk 45 to 50 mins 6 days a week.

I have stocked up on healthy veggies and fruits and lean meats. Any remaining Christmas goodies have been given away. If there is no junk in the house, I can't eat it.

My friend Paula, her friend April and I are also having a friendly competition. The first one to loose 50 pounds wins. The other 2 have to take the winner jeans shopping and buy her a new pair of jeans. I'm not super competitive but it's a good motivator.

My real goal is to be healthier at whatever weight that is.

Our little missionary

So, we have talked to Blake about being a missionary someday and most of the time he says "No way" Lately he's getting more okay with the idea. He's such a wiggily kid that we often wonder if he gets anything at all out of church.

Well, last week we found out that he indeed is getting something out of church. His babysitter has a 3 year old daughter that Blake has grown to love and they often act like brother and sister. My sitter does not take her children to church or talk to them about God unless they ask her a question. It's a long story as to why this is but I digress.

My sitter Paula said that her aunt or someone had sent a Christmas Book to Victoria (the 3 year old) Blake saw the book and asked Victoria if she'd like him to read it to her. As he's reading the story of Christs birth to her she says "Blake, who is Jesus?" Blake says "Victoria, do you not know who Jesus is?" He starts to tell her about Jesus and the story of his birth. Of course this was in 7 year old terms. When he was done Victoria said "Blake, is this true" He said "Every word of it"

When we talked about this later, we pointed out that he was being a missionary. Maybe there is hope after all.

Christmas memories

It's hard to believe another Christmas has come and gone. The years seem to be really flying by as I get older. Christmas Eve marked 4 years since my mom passed away. I'm so thankful to know I will see her again someday. She left me with some very sweet memories until then.

We had a wonderful Christmas. Good food, great family, wonderful memories, I couldn't ask for more. Here are some pictures from Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Santa stopped by to visit. Blake is on to the fact that it wasn't the real Santa. He said "Mom, I know that was just one of Santa's helpers" "Santa is busy delivering presents tonight" I think it's the beginning of the end of the magic of Santa. I hope we get a couple more years out of it.


My niece and nephew.

Blake's haul from Santa. This year we didn't buy presents for each other. We adopted a family instead. It was fun to shop for them together and then imagine their faces as they opened the presents yesterday. We don't know who they were and vise verse. We were hoping to teach Blake that it's more about giving then receiving.

His grandma got Blake a digital camera. He's ready to take some pictures. Well, once we get some AAA batteries.

The cousins.

Blake was in lego heaven. He has spent hours building his new sets. This is my favorite toy for him and I'm glad he likes them so much. It's much better than sitting in front of the TV playing a video game.

Blake in the aftermath. The slinky never goes out of style.

Life is good!

Oh Chirstmas Tree Part 2

It took a few days but the tree is finally decorated. Now I need to get my cards out and wrap presents and...and..and...lol I refuse to get stressed about what is left to do. I am determined to slow down this year and enjoy the spirit of the season.

Oh Christmas Tree

We have lived in Oregon for 16 1/2 years and we have never gone and cut down our Christmas tree. We've gone to the same lot all these years. But this week we changed that. We decided to find a tree farm and go for it. I'm so glad that we did. We had so much fun. We drove out past the golf course and just kept going until we found one that looked like it was open.

The property was beautiful. It was up high and had a fantastic view. The ground was frozen solid so no mud. It was freezing cold but that just added to the trip. We found the right one right away.

Here is it is......

Our friends came with us.

Erik, Blake and Laura. Can you hear Laura's teeth chattering.

Looks like we have a new tradition.

Elves, Kelley style

I saw this on my friend Yvonnes blog and thought it was cute. My son laughs everytime he watches it.

Thankful

Today is Thanksgiving. I have so much to be thankful for.

First of all, I am thankful to have the Gospel in my life. It's hard to remember the person I was prior to joining The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Days Saints. I am thankful for the knowledge and direction it has given my life and now my families life. I was happy before I joined the church but now I know what true happiness and joy is.

I am so thankful for my family. For a long time I thought that I would never get to be a mother but Heavenly Father sent me Blake. We all have so much fun together. I love these boys. My in-laws have been so good to me. They took me right in and treat me as one of their own. I do miss my parents but I know that I will see them again.

I am also thankful for good friends. I am blessed to have a handful that have been there for me through thick and thin. They have become my family.

So, on this day of gratitude, I am so thankful.

Birthday boy

Dear Blake,


It's hard for me to believe that it's been 7 years since you came into my life. I never knew how deeply I could love until I met you. I could go on and on about how much joy you have brought into my life but probably by the time you read this, you'll be too big for all the mushy stuff. So, I'll just tell you a little bit about your 7 year old self.

You are such a funny boy. Always ready with a laugh. You make me laugh every single day. You are very smart and have become quite a good reader. You are liking 1st grade quite a bit. I think it's mostly because of the 2 recesses. You're learning to add and subtract. The other day you said that "math, math, math" was all your teacher wanted to talk about. You are a very good friend and love to have play dates.

You never stop moving. Since you were little your theory has been that you can't fall asleep if you are running. It often looks as though you aren't paying attention but I'm learning that even when you are firing on all cylinders, you are hearing and absorbing what is said.

You love to spend time with your grandma and Papa and they love to spend time with you. I love the relationship you have with them.

Your dad and I are so thankful every day that Heavenly Father blessed us with your sweet spirit. You are an amazing kid.

Love you forever,

Mommy

Here you are the night of your Birthday party chiling out with your friends.


Playing the Wii

With your grandma at Red Robyn

Reading your card

Your Birthday party at Out of this World pizza.

Rocket man

Monkeys on the wall

Fall Fun

Well, it's a good thing I left myself a note or I would have forgotten some of the things I wanted to blog about. We have the laptop back so hopefully I won't be such a blogger slacker.

Here's a few pics of the fun we've had this fall.



We went to a great Halloween party this year. It's been a long time since I dressed up.

Here I am as the Princess

and here with my pea..lol

Spooky Pumpkins

Lexie trying hard to get that pumpkin


Bat cousins having fun

Some serious concentration

Papa showing the boys how it's done

Blake posing in the hay

My boys (even if one of them is wearing a dress)

Making his pick

All about the loot!

This might be animal abuse but oh we had fun trick or treating with her.

Boba Fett and Optimus