Productive Mornining

This morning, I bottled 17 pints of chicken, bathed the girls (they usually bathe at night), swept and mopped the kitchen, hall, living room and bathrooms, cleaned the big bathroom, vacuumed the family room and washed 2 loads of laundry. My back hurts and now I need a 10 hour nap!

Remembering Grandpa Bud

It was just a year ago yesterday that my grandpa passed away. For all my childhood, he was the only "dad" I had. He was the closest priesthood holder to me. He was the one who baptised me and gave me countless blessings over the years. I can still remember what his hands felt like on my head. He was quite a tease and always had a funny joke. He was THE best story teller ever. He could entertain us for hours with his stories, all of them true. He was a tender man who had a strong testimony. With his sweetheart of 61 years, they served 3 missions, South Dakota, Louisiana, and Denver Temple. He was quite crafty. He did bead work and "puttered" with things in his sheds. He could make or fix just about anything. His name was really Lewis Eldon Martin, but went by Bud Martin his whole life. Some people didn't even know his real name. That is why we call our oldest child "Bud" or "Buddy" and our youngest we call "Lew Lew". Grandpa used to call us "Noodle" or "Noodle head" and so that's why we call our middle child "Noodle." This has been a difficult week and I'm once again thankful for the plan of salvation. I know we will be reunited with our loved one and this is a very peaceful feeling.

Farewell

Our beloved Grandpa, just 1 month shy of his 89th birthday, passed away at 6:00 this evening. He leaves behind his sweet wife, Ruth, of 62? years, 4 kids, 22 grandkids, 29 great-grandkids. On the other side, he met his son, parents, brothers, and numerous other family members. He will surely be missed.

(Below is a wordier post about Grandpa.)

Tagged

I'm tagged - thanks Emily! Here's what you do. Go to your fourth picture folder and pick the fourth picture and explain it. So here's mine. I have 2 - it depends on which 4th folder I chose. It's a long story! I tag Jeni, Nancy, Kristin, Patience.


This is from the Living Planet Aquarium. We were petting the sting ray's. It was awesome. Even Austin pet one and he liked it. The girls just liked splashing the water.



This is Emma. She was playing and dressed up and this is what she came up with. I took her picture because she reminded me of one of the girls from the movie Thelma and Louise.

Life and Death

Our Grandpa (it's actually Bret's grandpa but he's always been a grandpa to me too) is in a nursing home where he isn't expected to live 24 hours. I had the wonderful opportunity to spend the night with him at the nursing home. So for 9 hours, it was just me and Grandpa. The fatigue that I feel from 45 minutes of sleep was more than worth it. Seriously, 45 minutes. I was afraid to sleep because I might miss the time for him to have more Morphine. He was getting it every 90 minutes and I wanted to stay on top of it and make sure he didn't miss a dose. My heart ached for this dear and wonderful man who was lying so helpless struggling to die, struggling to live. He's always been a goer and a doer. He was never one to be idle. So for the past few years, he really hasn't been himself. Nine years ago, he fell while he and Grandma were on vacation. He received a big bump on his head and there were complications. So he needed to go off his blood thinner medication so the doctor could operate. Well 8 hours of not having blood thinner, he had a stroke. He was in the hospital for 2 months. He wasn't expected to make it then and he did. He had a couple of fairly good years - not his normal busy self, but not completely house bound. But the last several (4 or so) he has been almost completely house bound. He hasn't been able to build anything or work with his hands and this has been very frustrating for him. He was a superior craftsman. He could build anything and everything. He was incredibly creative. I wish I could show you some of his great works. The Philippin Temple is one of them. He's build countless cedar chest, dressers, beds, tables, cupboards, a cabin, a few houses and so much more for family and friends. His wood work was absolutely magnificent. We are fortunate to have a few pieces of his work in our home. Three weeks ago he was admitted into the hospital because he was bleeding on his brain. Grandma was advised to take him off his blood thinner. He would probably have a stroke soon and it would take him because he is so weak. So for the past 3 weeks he hasn't had any blood thinner and he hasn't had a stroke yet. (If he'd stayed on the blood thinner, he would have continued bleeding and would have had massive headaches until he died.) As I set there watching him, I was hoping and praying he would just pass from this life to the next into the loving arms of so many dear family members and friends. Many times through the night, I thought he had taken his last breath, but to my surprise, he gasped and started breathing again. Death is not the worst thing to have happen. There are things worse than death. And for the sake of everyone, I pray that Grandpa will soon be released from this life. When he finally makes to the other side, I will not be sad because I know that death is not the end. Miss him? Of course. But, I'm sure he's anxious to get to the other side to be free of his many Earthly restrictions and I'm excited for him. I'm excited for him to start building again, to be able to move about as he chooses, to be his ol' self again. How grateful I am for the Plan of Salvation. How grateful I am to have know Grandpa, for however short of time.

3 of a kind

Several years ago, a good friend of mine told me that her kids (she has 3 - a boy and then 2 girls) would play very well together as long as one of them was taken out of the equation. It didn't matter which one. But the 3 of them couldn't play all together without soon fighting. I remember advising her jokingly that she should have had just 1 more. But because she was Mrs. Fertile Mertal, she had her tubes tied. (And plus she was very content with 3 kids.) Now, I haven't talked to her lately about it and her kids are getting older so maybe they are getting along better. But here I am, some time later and I am in the same predicament. (Too bad I can't take my own advise.) Does/did this ever happen to any of you who have 3 kids or came from a family of 3 kids? Any solutions, suggestions? It's so frustrating to have your kids arguing or bickering. How can I effectively keep peace in my home??

Move over Welch's

So last week I went to Aunt Laura's and picked a bunch of Concord Grapes. Then for 2 days last week, I made grape juice. I lost count how many quarts I made. About 24 or so. Anyway, today, I used 5 cups of the grape juice and made grape jelly (the cooked kind). MMMM it's so good. I've made peach and strawberry, but this was the first time I made grape. I think I'll do it more often. It was super easy! You can also make it from frozen grape juice concentrate - for anyone who wants to know. None of this would have been possible if it weren't for Aunt Laura's generosity! Thanks a "bunch"!

Poopie List...

Bathroom Humor at it's finest!


Ghost Poopie
The kind where you feel the poopie come out, but there is not poopie in the toilet.

Clean Poopie
The kind where you poopie it out, see it in the toilet, but there’s nothing on the toilet paper.

Second Wave Poopie
This happens when you’re done poopieing and you’ve pulled up your pants to your knees, and you realize that you have to poopie some more.

Pop-A-Vein-In-Your-Forehead-Poopie
The kind where you strain so much to get it out, you practically have a stroke.

Drinker Poopie
The kind of poopie you have the morning after a long night drinking. It’s most noticeable that is the skid marks on the bottom of the toilet.

Corn Poopie
Self-explanatory.

Gee-I-Wish-I-Could-Poopie Poopie
The kind where you want to poopie but all you do is sit on the toilet and fart a few times.

Wet Poopie
The kind where you wipe your butt 50 times and it still fees unwiped, so you have to put some toilet paper between your butt and underwear so you won’t ruin them with a stain.

Spinal Tap Poopie
That’s where it hurts so badly coming out, you would swear it was leaving you sideways.

Wet Cheeks Poopie (The Power Dump)
The kind that comes out of your butt so fast, your butt gets splashed with water.

The Dangling Poopie
This poopie refuses to drop into the toilet even though you know you are done poopie-in it. You just pray that a shake or two will cut it loose.

Liquid Poopie
The kind where yellowish-brown liquid shoots out your butt and splashes all over the toilet bowl.

Fisherman Bobbing Poopie
The kind of poopie that no matter how many times you flush there is still poopie bobbing at the top.

Gassy Poopie
It’s so noisy, everyone within earshot is laughing.

The Surprise Poopie
You’re not even at the toilet because you are sure you’re about to fart, but oops…..a poopie!!!

Lincoln Log Poopie
The kind of poopie that is so huge you’re afraid to flush without first breaking it into little pieces with the toilet brush.

Optimus Prime, Aurora and Belle

Here is Optimus Prime. Do not be frightened, he comes in peace. He is sending a message to all Autobots reading this. "We are here. We are waiting."

This lovely beauty is Aurora. She is wearing a beautiful pink and white one of a kind gown sewn by her mom and all her accessories are from Wal-Mart.

May I present to you, Belle. She is wearing a beautiful gold gown made especially for Belle by her mom and her shoes are exclusively from Target.

Buddy's second grade picture.

Noodle's Kindergarten picture.

This is Lewlew's 3 year picture.

A special thanks to Aunt Gina for so willingly giving her time and talents to make all of these pictures possible. We really appreciate it!

Move Over Martha Steuart!!

Well, with the help of Lewlew, I finished canning tomatoes. She was such a help ;) She was wet from head to waste by the time she had enough. But I was glad for her "help" even though at times she was more of a hindrance. It was fun talking and singing with her.

This picture is of Lewlew and my mom helping me can peaches.

We ended up canning 12 quarts of peaches and 12 quarts of tomatoes. Now for the grape juice and jelly.

Tag, I'm it!

I am: blogging...
I think: I should clean my bathroom
I have: cold feet
I dislike: cleaning toilets
I miss: staying up late and sleeping in.
I fear: my computer crashing
I feel: happy
I hear: Avrie talking along to "Nemo"
I smell: like Secret Shower Fresh Deoderant
I crave: Dr. Pepper
I cry: a lot
I usually: blog once a week.
I search: for good deals
I wonder: what life will be like in 5 years
I regret: so many things!
I wish: I could make better use of my time
I love: my family
I care: about what my kids wear to school.
I always: have something to do
I worry: about all I have to do
I am not: bored
I remember: when my kids were born.
I believe: the gospel
I sing: in church
I don't always:
I write: in my journal
I win: Phase 10
I lose: Hearts
I listen: to my kids
I don't understand: what Avrie says some of the time
I can usually be found: at home
I need: caffiene
I forget: I can't remember...
I am happy: most of the time

I tag: Emily, Nancy, Krystal and Alta

Give A Damn

Since I had strep a couple weeks ago, my "give a damn" has been broken. I just don't feel like doing anything. When I get up in the morning I stand in front of my closet for a long time because I just don't feel like getting dressed. I don't feel like cleaning, playing or anything. It's been very frustrating! So the other day, Mister called and told me not to do anything but dress and feed the kids and myself. Duh, that's all I've been doing. But he said to do something like sew, scrapbook or whatever. In the past when he has said this, I've said "ok", and then did everything anyway. But this time, I decided to take him up on his offer. When he got home, he cleaned up and did so much with the kids. He did this for 3 days. (Ya, I know, I'm not the best wife - but my "give a damn" was broken.) And I can't believe the results! Our house looks better and I'll be damned, my give a damn is working better. What a FABULOUS husband I have. I'm so thankful for him. He's the best! Thanks Hunny, I love you!

Well worth the money

We buy our dishwasher detergent from Costco - so it comes in a big container. The last time I opened one, I wrote the date on the lid. It was 10-23-07. Yesterday I opened a new one. It lasted almost a whole year. Holy cow!! I think that's was what called a good buy!