Iceskating turns to Icehating

We took Thomas Ice skating for the first time...Why...Still not sure. Everyone else was, so we followed. He thought it was cool at first, then screamed bloody murder. So like good parents, we documented it.

Hide the Dookie...Beware, poop is shown.

The realities of parenting can be hard some days. Some days while looking at other people's blogs, their children seem perfect and only say cute things, draw pictures of Jesus and the temple, say "I love you", don't hit, eat all the right foods, are potty training, are talking up a storm, and ask to take naps. I look at these blogs and feel overwhelmed that maybe Thomas isn't exactly where he should be some days. I sigh, "Why am I comparing my child? He is as normal as everyone else right???"

My brothers tell stories of a game they played in college called "hide the dookie". It's where you poop (sorry for anyone who has any manners reading this blog...stop now) in a bag, and hide it somewhere in someone else's room. They can smell it, but cant find it. They search and search, only to smell poop.

Last night after getting Thomas undressed for his bath, he broke away from me naked. He ran screaming with glee waiting for me to catch him. We bathed him, got him in his P.J's, but stared to smell poop. We checked his diaper, changed his P.J's, and wondered if he had " had an accident on the carpet". The next 15 minutes Rob and I were on our hands and knees sniffing our carpet, trying to find where this strong poop smell was coming from. We gave up.

A while later I was turning out the lights to go to bed, when I found this...By the trash can. He had to have popped a squat. Thomas played hide the dookie with us. That's normal right???

The Holidays

After a few weeks of total hell, we made it home to California. I nearly cried when we got in in my parents car on the way home from the airport because it meant that we had "made it". I could finally breathe and had reinforcements in case my "luck" still continued.

Christmas was magical. My house was more gorgeous and decorated than the North Pole and Macey's department store. We couldn't have asked for a better break. We had a great time with family and friends.


Bowling at Danville bowl...with all the grand kids.

Max teaching Tommy how to do the iphone.
We did a 2 hour tour of San Fransisco on Segways...So cool. Here we are with Alcatraz in teh background.
Here I am looking like I am going FAST...or dumb?
Golden gate in the background.

Mt. Diablo Rock City with our friends the Cahoons

Christmas Morning
Christmas Eve and the Red Sweater Vest...In honor of Grampa Drue.



Thomas' first glance at Grandmas house...he was in shockHugs from Mana


The boys making fun of how we tuck our jeans into our boots now...Some of the grand kids and Mana and Popop at the front door
Hope you all have a Great New year....

We've been served

We just cant seem to catch a break. It seems to be, a least my life long quest, to be plagued with health issues. Sadly, Thomas has started on his journey now...he's been having some, well, bowel issues lets say. I was making excuses for it, like teething, fruits, a bug. But we went to the Dr. finally, and they have been putting us through the ringer. We have had every diagnosis from Rota virus, Giardia, a parasite, and now they think he is allergic to dairy and maybe more. We ave to wait to be tested by a specialist to determine if it is sciliac disease or what? Poor kid, to even get this far in finding out what was wrong we had to go to great lengths to get stool samples...let me just say, saran wrapping your child's butt has to the worst thing you will do in any given week.
Then I did something to my ear tube last week...and my ear filled with puss. The week before finals week for Rob. I got on some meds to clear it up, but immediately started vomiting...launching me into a stomach flu from the bowels of Satan. With my ear drum ready to explode and vomiting uncontrollably, a husband gone, I have never been so low. I hate being the sick on ALL THE TIME. Its the worst, most humiliating feeling. I have no family here, and I feel horrible asking people for favors cause I never feel like I can give them back. I know many people feel this same way. I finally was beyond sick, and asked for help. It is hard to be humbled to ask for help, and amazing to feel the burden lifted by another. Truly, I could not do for myself. I had a friend come an whisk Tommy away, even though she had a holiday party she was in charge of that night, to stay with her family for 2 days. Then Robs brother and his wife, and another sister took Thomas for 2 nights. I was in bed, down and out from Thursday, until today. I had to go to Urgent care and beg to be poked. I haven't had my butt kicked like this in a long time. Today I'm eating toast and able to keep down meds and waiting for my ear to feel better...and waiting to not feel like I'm ready to spew.
This time of year, service and helping is preached, and I know I am always looking where I can help. I am dropping off extra cans off in the bins at the store, or Toys for Tots, or Service projects for church. Sometimes I feel silly that I am looking at all these other places, when the people directly around me are in need of service. It may require more of me than I want to give that day...its easier to serve by dropping off a can than to watch a neighbors child for a few hours while she gets some needed rest of last minute shopping done. When I think about all the people I can serve around me, It makes me wonder who right now was like me, just praying in tears for someone to come knock on their door and ask if they needed anything? I cant tell you how many hours I feel like I prayed in tears to get better to I could take care of my family...this week of all weeks they needed me...my baby is sick and my husband has his first finals in medical school. Nothing came fast, but so many little angels were sent to me. A friend and her husband came to take me to the ER in the worst snow storm, another friend came and rubbed my feet, and other friends brought food to my husband. My husband, is amazing. He was trying, and would have done it all on his own. He was trying to study and watch Thomas all on his own. One night I walked about 1 AM and he was folding a mound of laundry...with flash cards by his side.
This time of year there are so many around us crying out for help, and we don't know it cause they wont ask. Lets pray to be more in tune with the spirit so we can know who needs us...after this week I know I will. I couldn't have survived this week with out the service of others.

Surprise at Baggage Claim

I was told last week from Robbie that one of his companions from his missions was in a bind and needed a ride from the airport to Provo. I was super confused, and kinda weirded out that I would be waiting and driving with a stranger for a while, who only know what I looked like apparently. Rob said to wait at baggage claim with Tommy and he would know to find me...creepy, I know! So I reluctantly went to the airport, on the way calling my mom telling her how weird "this was", only to have someone come from out of now where and say "HI!!" and it was my MOM!! She was the surprise companion! We came for a few days to rescue me from my day to day mundane life, and give me a break. We shopped till we dropped, saw movies, ate out, and chatted it up! No matter how old we get, we still always can use our moms. I miss her already.








Sunday night, at about bedtime, we looked out side and saw it snowing like crazy. I couldn't resist and had to bundle Thomas up and take him out side to look at it. Here are some cute shots.

Health Care Simplified

Some updates...

So heres an update of whats been going on in our hood....



Yes...we have reached a new peak of whitetrashiness...that's my kid who fell asleep with a chicken Mc Nugget in his mouth.

I heard some screaming in the other room...I ran in to find my son in here...the dryer. Where else.
Tommy doesn't seem to sure why all these round orange things are surrounding him in a field.
Robbie went on a epic fly fishing trip with my dad and brothers on the Green River....It was UNREAL I hear.
Robbie also went to hear a band, formed up of all his favorite artists from Toad the Wet sprocket and Nickel creek and then hung out with them back stage...yea, he felt like a rock star. And he got their play list they wrote for the concert and other swag.

I'm trying to be better about blogging...I hate when I fall behind!