family prayer is not a contact sport.

at least at our house.

so twas the night before ashley’s birthday, and all through the house, the family was gathering, for family prayer, of course.

peyton was snuggled all up with her dad.  watching some blather on fox news. so sad.

lynn and ashley were wild, rambunctious you could say, and I, as their mother, was having it in no way.  I started to yell, get after them a bit, but little peyton, so sweet and so small, started to cry.

I wasn’t getting after her at all!

but that wasn’t the issue.  nope, not the yelling at all.

“my thumb!” was the problem with our child so small.

but what with the thumb?  that was quite the mystery.

she’d let not I or her father examine it, even gingerly.

so at five to nine (when the instacare doth close), we gathered her up and I dashed out the door.  sped down more than a few blocks to the instacare we did go, got there just in the nick of time, just as the nurse was about to lock the door.

“do you need to be seen?”  she asked cheerfully.

“yes,” I replied, “the er co-pay is far too obscene.”

the staff happily, willfully took care of my child.  I was made happier to see our favorite doctor there..  my mind went quite wild.

(yup, the rhyming is starting to suck..)

“tis’ not broken.”  he said, “methinks it just a sprain.”

so we left with a splint, and orders for x-rays, just in case.

the point of this story, as I have so artfully told to you, is that I still have no idea how peyton hurt her thumb, but it is feeling better now.

(yes, I have given up.)

I think it had something to do with her subconscious knowing that the next day was ashley’s birthday, and that ashley would be hogging all the attention.  (as is her right.)

not saying it was intentional at all, just that she knows, subconsciously.  or something.

as we went to see the doctor, the most amazing doctor of all time, it was close, but we got there.

he told us that if it still hurt the next day, was swollen and she couldn’t move it, then to take her directly to the hospital for x-rays.

then he asked us what happened.

that was funny.

as I told him and the nurse, they laughed.

“family prayer was never a contact sport in my home..  family home evening was.”

she really is doing better.  the splint came off today.

you should also hear how cute it is to hear her say splint, with a cold.

bottom line, I am so thankful that we were able to get there, just in time, and that the doctor who was best able to care for us (in my opinion) was there too.

Kindergarten Checklist

We have kept busy this week with the necessary appointments for Ashley’s Kindergarten paperwork.

Dentist, check.

Doctor, check.

Fun shots, check.

I have been continually praying, literally every step of the way, for guidance to know if what I am doing is the right thing for her.

I know that she WILL NOT have that one teacher.

No way Jose.

As I filled out the round-up sheet, I prayed.  I also received the feeling that I should just be still, that it will all be okay.

And that is what my answer continues to be, every step of the way.

She was awesome at her dentist appointment.  I remember Lynn being a little more freaked out and I was kind of worried hearing Lynn prep Ashley for everything that was going to happen.  But she was fine, she was her silly, relaxed self.  The dentist said her teeth were PERFECT!  To keep up on the fluoride (when I remember) and to continue with our brushing habit (I have turn, then she does), and flossing (oh, how I need to be so much better!)

The kid earned TWO tokens, she was that awesome.

It was also a blessing that we happened to have a credit on our account there.  That meant that yesterday was covered!  One more thing that I budgeted for, but have some extra cash due to that little, heaven sent, credit. :)

Today we went for her well-child check.  She was even sillier there.  Our doctor loves us I am sure.  Imagine how fun our appointment was for him, me + 3 silly girls.  It was fun.

It was even funner for Ashley who got 3 shots, and didn’t cry.  Didn't even tear up!  (Her leg is hurting her tonight..  hopefully that Tylenol and heating pad helped ease her discomfort enough to sleep well.)  She did have Lynn holding one hand while I held the other.  Lynn is such a sweet sister.

Peyton on the other hand, was a different story.  She cried and looked rather betrayed and let that nurse know it when she had to get that one cocktail to get her up to date.  Poor kid.

We were also lucky enough to arrive the exact same time as the Lincare guy who was dressed as the Easter Bunny.

What a fun coincidence!

Lynn and Ash were stoked to be the first to pick a treat from his basket, but Peyton was leery of the fuzzy-suited guy.  She still didn’t  like him much after he took off the mask.  I hope she doesn’t develop a fear of the Easter Bunny like I did of clowns.

My experience was  around two also. :O

3

Nope, this isn't a birthday post..  I don't even have one close to 3...  I SHOULD, but then again, by MY family plan, I should merrily be preggers with #5.
But back to 3..
It is just my number lately I guess..
It is the number of cubs that showed up to Pack Meeting the other night..  you already know how much I love that (read sarcasm), then to have 3 boys and 3 leaders show up. 
It was great.
:P
Then there was last night..
We were enjoying another nightly holiday activity, frosting our sugar cookies, when Peyton, aka "Little Climber" named appropriately for her newly acquired skill, pushed her chair up next to Merrill and began her ascent to the counter top..
She enjoyed playing with the frosting tips and couplers for a good, long while, and then, at some point quickly thereafter, she fell.
Onto the hardwood floor.
On her right side.  (You know, the one with the arm was previously broken?)

She was acting guarded and funny with her arm.  She wouldn't reach for anything with it, not even her beloved binky, and that was when I made the decision to go to InstaCare.
Again.
That made it my 3rd trip to this particular facility.
In 3 days.
3.
We had no wait, saw our favorite doctor (love you doctor C!!) who also happened to treat her for the buckle fracture in August, and by the time he sat down and started his evaluation, she was using it.
He guessed soft tissue damage as she didn't act like she was in pain when he squeezed it in various places.
There were no x-rays taken because too much radiation exposure to children in these developmental stages (she has had 3 x-rays in her life these past few months..) isn't good on the bones.  So he sent us with orders for x-rays, in case she acted differently today.
She hasn't.
So far, 3 still happens to be my number.
I am praying it doesn't roll over to 4.
I am questioning it though, as last night, she capped her evening of activity off with a new trip, up the chair, pushed so expertly to the counter, to get to the chocolate covered cherries Jaclyn dropped off while I was visiting the doctor's office for the 3rd time (thank you Jacks!!), and found Peyton attempting to open the box of yumminess with a steak knife..
Pray for me!! 

Doctor's visitS...

Emphasis on the "S" there..
It's no secret, I haven't been feeling well lately and just to prove it, I went to the doctor twice, in two days.
It has been a puzzling illness..  but as I researched my symptoms repeatedly (until my computer decided it didn't want to anymore..) it kept coming back to me that it was something with my ears.
I kept brushing it off, because some days, I would wake up, and despite a little dizziness, I would feel fine.
Other mornings, I would get up, and feel awful.
It was quite puzzling.
I really wanted to just get back at life, and I think that was part of the problem, I was pushing myself into it.  I confirmed I was not preggers, and went on wondering what would make me feel this way.
After missing church the previous Sunday, I decided I was not going to miss it this last Sunday.
That was bad.
Sitting in RS for that 45 minutes was awful, but two (three now that I think of it) separate conversations there, again pointed to something with my inner ear.
Julie kept the girls there, and Merrill took me to the doctor.
We got to wait 45 minutes to see our favorite (read the major sarcasm here) doctor, and was basically told that I had what I originally though I had, Benign Positional Vertigo, this decided after making me prove how off my balance was during a bunch of ridiculous tests.
His remedy, the aforementioned Meclizine and get this, PHYSICAL THERAPY.
That would require both time and money, two things that are not in abundance this time of the year..
Not to mention, that had nothing to do with what my gut was telling me.
I kept bringing up the possibility of an infection, to which he basically brushed off, and told me there was no way to tell unless they did an MRI (cha-ching!)..  I was near tears. 
Before he left the room to get the prescription, he asked if I had hoped the outcome would be different, if there was anything that I had thought was lacking.
Why does he open the door for me to tell him he is an idiot?
I didn't say anything.
I will accept the pats on my back...  now.
He came back and handed me the prescription, Merrill the referral to the physical therapist, and again asked why I looked so sad.
Um..  could it be because I have been dealing with this for over a week, and I feel like I am not being listened to, instead brushed off?  Oh, and by the way, I would like to have my life back, instead of appointments with a physical therapist to teach me exercises on balance and to make sure I hadn't had a stroke.
His words.
It didn't look like I had, but it wasn't entirely impossible at my age.
Does he KNOW what he is doing?
After getting me home, and in bed, crying, Merrill left to take care of the prescription.  He got back just in time for Julie and Nate as they dropped the girls off and I got some food and drugs then was wiped out.
That is one of the major side-effects of the Meclizine, drowsiness.
How am I going to get better with that?
I wasn't.
The next day, I woke up feeling dizzy, drowsy, and still that nausea.  The Meclizine is supposed to take dizziness and nausea away.
I was also feeling frustrated, did I mention that?
I called to get an appointment with anyone but HIM, and managed to get an appointment with a doctor that was in the same office as my primary doctor.
The receptionist asked what I was being seen for, and when I told her the brief overview, she said, "Are you serious?" 
Yup.
Needless to say, I got in, had this doctor spend more time than ANYONE ever has with me, going over every possible reason this could be going on.  My ears have never been examined so much in my life.  He suspected an infection, sent me with a couple of different prescriptions and hope.
With some more inside information from my mother-in-law as to the wonders of Advil Cold an Sinus, information from her ENT (NOT a physical therapist...) I am doing SO much better today.
I am back at life, FINALLY, and able to function.
I am thankful to have my crappy insurance, thankful that I listened to the promptings I was given, and thankful to those who have been so helpful.
Now can anyone help me with all the laundry I need to catch up on? ;)

It just keeps coming..

So on top of it being Merrill's birthday yesterday, having a cake to make, a birthday dinner too (both my choice, Merrill was not in the mood to celebrate, for some reason..) the people buying our house wanted to show it that night to possible renters/buyers.

Great!

Cleaning and finishing the exterior paint to go on top of that..

I was tidying the house up before I began the painting, taking things that belong out in the garage, out to the garage. Ashley and Peyton were going back and forth, taking scooters and bikes out of the garage. I thought to myself, I should probably just back the car out of the garage and let them play in here while I am doing this. But I thought against it. There have been so many stories on the news lately of accidents with kids and cars.. taking my next load out to the garage, I hear a loud thud and Peyton starts to cry.

There is Nathan and Julie's ladder "JAWS" laying partly on the car. I think it scared Pey more than anything, but upon closer inspection, the car wasn't doing too well.

My new windshield, the one I HAD to get to replace the 12 year old one that was too chipped and dinged to pass safety, was smashed in the bottom corner. The cracks already spreading throughout the rest of the glass.

That was awesome.

After getting Lynn from school, I leave the car outside :) and begin painting the back man door to the garage.

Remember that all the exterior doors are now BLACK.

Well, Peyton decided to "help".

She took the roller, covered in black, and proceeded to paint the garage floor and part of her left side, BLACK.

I quickly got the roller away from her only to find her going after the paint pan, filled with enough paint to pour out all over the front of her body, which she was attempting to do.

We tried to celebrate Merrill's birthday.. again, he wasn't really in the mood.

30.. uh.. er.. um, I mean, 20 (again) has him kinda down.

I think you can tell by the cake..

On to today.

I had a list of things that need to be done (still things to do on it..) in order for this appraisal to go where we want it to. Mostly touch-up painting, fun stuff like that, you know, stuff that I am surely not sick of, at all.

So I set out and about my day.. painting and patching some dings that come out with nice, new, glossy paint. I also had some lovely artwork that the girls did pro-bono for us in the exercise room when it used to be the play room, all over the walls. That whole room needed paint in a bad way.

Funny as it was the only room in the house to not be painted by us, at least once.

I am quite the pro painting without tape. I use it around the door trim but not the ceiling or baseboards.. yes, I am that good. ;)

Total tanget that was.. I must be tired..

So while I am painting away over my precious artwork, Ashley and Peyton go upstairs. I hear the normal playing.. it goes on.. then I hear a thud. Nothing loud or out of the ordinary, but Peyton immediately starts crying. I go to see what is wrong, and she is holding her right arm. I start to drill Ashley. Let's face it, she doesn't have a very good record and with Lynn gone all day on top of that blemished record, Ashley has been forcing little Peyton to be her friend. Yeah, I thought she was the one who had hurt her.

Ashley performs a little re-enactment per my request, and the story is out.

Peyton was playing at the foot of her bed, stumbled, tried to catch herself, and fell, on her arm.

She wasn't getting any happier, so I called a friend to see if she could take Ash.. and oh, by the way, Lynn was due to be out of school in 20 minutes.

She took care of it all.. sheesh.. those mothers of 4. ;) (Thanks JuJu..)

Peyton and I took another trip to the IsntaCare over another arm.. were sent again to the X-Ray area (know how to get there with my eyes shut I do believe..) felt like a horrible mother to have let something like this happen AGAIN.. had X-Rays taken, then had Dr. Cardon (LOVE HIM!!) look over everything and tell us that...

She has a buckle fracture.

And then he put her in a hot pink cast.

There are still firsts for us.. first broken bone.

Please tell me there is a break (no pun intended) from all of this for at least one day?

Maybe it will break her of her finger sucking habit... she did need some drugs and a binky of all things to get to sleep tonight.

Mondays.. here we go..

I started out my week, and my Monday morning in the least pleasant way possible.
I upped my InstaCare count to 4 for the month.
Ashley wanted Peyton to be up on her bed with her and PULLED on her arms, pulling one out of socket. I did what I knew to do, and it didn't help. She wouldn't move her fingers, wouldn't hold her sippy cup.. her trademark position of sucking her fingers on her right hand, while twirling her hair with her left hand wasn't even happening. I was rushing to get everyone ready to go and visit our own personal money pit, thinking, "I'd really rather not take the other two.. who could I call..."
Names were going through my head, knowing full well that I have MANY around me who would help, and then I hear the front door shut.
Merrill is home?
He forgot that he gave another one of his guys much needed hours, and scheduled him for today.
Prayer answered. Merrill stays home with the two older girls.
I take Pey to the doctor where they immediately order x-rays. The tech tells me what this usually is, Nurse Maid's Elbow, and that one of the x-rays positioning usually fixes it.
Sure enough.
As soon as it's done, there goes that left hand to her hair, twirling away while she sucks her fingers.
The doctor wanted us to stick around, see if everything was really back to normal. We played a bit and laughed. She loved looking at the x-rays of her elbow. Should have taken those home as our souvenir.
Two guys, a father and son duo, walk in looking pale and sickly, like they hadn't bathed in a while, and masks over their mouths and noses. I checked to see if Pey could give me double "high fives" and "bumps".. she could and we high-tailed it out of there.
Guess what the picture of the day is?

4th and such..

We celebrated the fourth, at home, under self-quarantine. :)
We had a simple fireworks display, Merrill was so impressed with my selection from Target.
(Read that with much sarcasm.. they were all pretty much duds.)
It came complete with parachutes..


Sparklers.. and other fun fire-worky things..


Even Peyton joined in..
See the look of panic on her face?


Hot metal stick, shooting sparks.. Yeah..
She dropped it in my lap, and I opened my lap up onto the blanket..
A new memory is born.


Here's my Merrill (heart)..


We ate cupcakes and popcorn (as shown below)..


The awesome selection of fireworks really meant nada..
We just had a good time being together!


Sunday, we sluffed church, again..
Well, I shouldn't say "we", me and the kiddos. Merrill was playing the role of "responsible adult". ;)
Ashley slept, coughed, and then coughed some more so hard that she vomited during the night. Needless to say, I didn't get much sleep..
What is sleep anyway?
Last night was a re-run of that episode.
How do you say that strange word? Slll-eee-P?
Her inhaler is nearing empty; how I wish it actually had a gauge, like my gas tank. :)
I decided to take her into our doctor today.
Then sleep depravity kicked in, and another voice told me I was overreacting.
Then I decided that I really should.
This morning I found that, I had indeed, missed the last refill on her inhaler by less than a month.
I was taking her.
Luckily I was able to get into our physician this afternoon annnnd....
Our little mystery is solved!
Her fever was indeed "something", not Roseola. An upper respiratory infection, perhaps? Anywhoo, the virus ended-up settling in her sinus, to develop into a lovely, snotty, sinus infection.


3 bottles of Amoxicillan, and my refrigerator looks like it is ready for an outbreak.
Looking forward to doing that one thing tonight, where you lay down on a nice, soft bed, then you close your eyes and relax, recharge your batteries and so on.. I can't seem to remember what it's called..

A couple of days worth..

It's been a busy couple of days..
Yesterday being the busiest..
We spent just about the whole day OUT.. Peyton's doctor appointment.. errands.. sledding.
We had SOOOO much fun!! Thanks Julie!!!
Today we have spent at home.. creating and having fun! Playing with some new toys found on our errands yesterday ;) Lynn didn't go to school, but that is another post on a different subject..
Peyton's doctors appointment went well.. she got 4 shots (ouch!) but she is doing well, in fact, they have mellowed her out!! Think of that.. I don't need to hold her at ALL times!
The doctor is concerned, still, with her hips. Despite the visit we had down at Primary's.. the clicking sound is in both of her hips.. which I am not concerned about.. but his real concern lies in the fact (?) that she hasn't grown very much. She isn't quite 20 pounds.. her head circumference went up a bit, but her height has remained the same.. the question mark comes into play, because we don't have the same nurse every time, thus not consistent measuring methods. She shrunk in length and head circumference from birth to one week, if you can imagine that.. He wants to check her again in 6 months, and if there is still no change, he wants her back at Primary's to have those hips checked again..
So not worried.. Merrill and I were/are both smaller..
She is doing many fun and new things..
- cleaning up her toys.
- gives me the "no nos", gives me things that she shouldn't have. :)
- gives hugs and kisses.
- blows kisses better.
- is saying a few things: "whas dis?" = what's this "his" = this and the staples, "mama" and "dada"..
- she loves to play with us, try to scare us and tease us.
- she has also cut another tooth.
She is just the sweetest little girl! She comes and gives us hugs, patting us on the back, for no reason..
We love her!!

Events of the day..

So here's how the day went down..
Preschool.
Kindergarten.
Haircuts!!
I repaired some bracelets for my friend Alesha, earned a free cut, got a coupon for my B-Day, got one for half off.. nice..
Lynn was the first to get in "the hot seat".. she was quite nervous over her two inch trim.. she has hair to spare!!
Ash went next.. yup, that's "Alvin the Alligator" with her.. she is so "I don't care".. I had free reign to have what ever I wanted done with her hair! It is now even.. her last haircut, back in April, wasn't so even.. neither was mine.
Peyton found a new place to play..
My closet!
I now have pics of all three of them around this age enjoying my closet..
Me and my girls, kinda a shot of our new cuts.. I sorta already miss my inch of hair that is now in a trash can :(.. but Merrill likes it..
Now everyone is sleeping.. ahhh. let's hope it stays that way.. I need some!
Love Ashley's little laugh pic..
We went to Kaitlyn's Lakette family performance, they are going to regionals tomorrow. They did so good! It's always fun to have Grandma P. crack us up too.. afterward, as we were driving home, past the InstaCare, I looked, I am so sick of this ongoing cold. My throat started to hurt so bad during the last dance, I had to check out the InstaCare. TWO CARS.
I was going.
Good news, no wait.
Bad news, not so fav doc there.
Good news, he gave me a free sample of a steroid inhaler, I just don't need a prescription, the last time I used my inhaler, 2002, before I even got pregnant with Lynn.
No strep, but thank heavens he listened to me and didn't do a culture..
Just a nasty virus.
He gave me an antibiotic to help, he said that if it's gone on for this long, it might be the onset of something bad.
He kept asking me if there was anything else he could do. If I wanted any tests, if this was the outcome I had hoped for.
Gee... maybe he was bored?
He also told me to get rest, that's what I need to get better.
To which I replied, "Can you prescribe a sedative for my kids? " ;)
Hee hee..
Other good news, my insurance, get this, paid for my prescription.. granted it was only $4.. but hey, I'll take free any day!!
Maybe IHC heard it was my birthday this whole week :)
Now I am off to enjoy a nice bubble bath with some coconut lime gel that someone got me :)
Good luck tomorrow Katie!!

I can finally talk about it!!!

Our sweet Pey...It has been a month now that we have been dealing with a little stress concerning our littlest one... I haven't said anything on my blog, well not anything that is public :)... mostly because I know that so many of you are going through so much more... my trial and worry is like a feather in comparison to the boulders others are bearing these days. But it has been my worry... I also didn't want to say anything until there was a resolution in the matter...
It all started a month ago at Peyton's 9 month well-child check. The doctor was checking her hip joints and he heard a click in her right hip. Worried that it could be hip dysplasia, he sent us to the hospital for ultrasounds. (A blessing there was that we could go to McKay, not Primary's, because there was a new, pediatric radiologist who had just started there in July.. we didn't need to make the journey to Primary's.)
Many prayers were said, her name put in the temple multiple times, and a priesthood blessing the night before she was to go in for the ultrasounds.
Well, her bones had already ossified so that meant the ultrasounds wouldn't render the results sought after... X-rays were in order (which I would suggest giving out as inexpensive gifts this holiday season... they were only $13.66! I might just go and get one myself! ;P...). I watched as the X-rays came up on the screen in the radiology office, and after a week of looking at many pelvic X-rays online, everything looked fine... symmetrical, no gaps, her femoral heads were in the hip sockets... but, of course they wouldn't tell me anything. I had to wait for them to give the results to the ordering physician, my doctor.
A day later, he called.
"It's just as I thought... mild hip dysplasia in her left hip..."
"Left hip?.. you were concerned about her right hip."
"That's right! It was my left hand that her right leg was in... that's weird. So there's a click in her right hip with nothing to show for it.... Her left hip does show signs of mild hip dysplasia. Her left femur is turned 2 degrees outside of normal range (more test results read...)... you'll have to go to Primary Children's to see a pediatric orthopedic surgeon to see if there is anything that should/needs to be done."
The results to a Google search were scary. To see what treatment options are out there... casts, braces, harnesses, surgery... my sweet little girl who is on the move and enjoys every stinkin' minute of it! To think of her stuck in a cast, brace, or bed... it tore me up. But as my mother said, "Don't iron your clothes until there are wrinkles in them..." I have been trying not to think of what "could be". But how big a deal could 2 degrees be?
So we've been waiting, trying to live faithfully, keep busy so our minds don't go to that... I have felt pretty good about it though.
Here we are...
Last night I was praying big time... there was supposed to be a snowstorm moving into the valley this afternoon. I prayed, even though I really wanted the snow, that it would hold off until after our appointment. I prayed that no matter the outcome, everything would work together. I prayed that she would be happy and calm. In her priesthood blessing this morning given by her most awesome and incredible dad, the guy I am so blessed and downright lucky to be married to, he blessed her with that same thing... and that the doctors and nurses would be able to do those things that would enable them to see that nothing was wrong. She had a healthy and able body.
No snow falling from the skies this morning as we left. We got there, no big deal. I honestly felt so guilty walking through the halls of that hospital, seeing so many sick children, and here I am with my perfectly healthy child... and I am worried about hip dysplasia?! Her appointment started with a new pelvic X-ray... and then we saw the surgeon.
He saw NOTHING WRONG with her hips. NOTHING...
"Even if there were still that 2 degree difference, I would recommend that she walk. That's how you best get things where they need to be. And since she's already walking..." and Pey was yukking it up with him the whole time. The flirt. Cheesing it at him whenever he'd look at her. Laughing when ever he'd move her legs. Yep.. she was happy and calm.
As for that "click" in her right hip, he said it was a ligament that was tight over her hip right there and when you move her leg, it just snaps. He called it "silly"...
Blessings!!!
We left. Thankful.
We live so close to such an awesome children's hospital. They have an incredible staff of people who truly love and care about children.
To have those people...
So many prayers were heard and answered in our favor!
No snow!
She was happy and calm.
I was able to find the place...
We have the priesthood.... in our home!
We can go to the temple to find peace.
Prayer...
She is fine...
The first flakes of the expected snowstorm began to fall as I was on my final stretch of the drive home, coming up "the hill".
Blessings.
I have many angels in my life... you have shown up or called at just the right time. I love you all!!
But I am most grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who never ceases to bless and amaze me with his never-ending love... His most awesome blessings!

Just venting...

Here's your warning:
I am just venting... there are no intended bulls eyes... I am not flinging my words in any certain direction... I am not talking about YOU... I do not intend to hurt feelings... I am not looking for solutions... I am not seeking help... I am not trying to be "Debbie Downer"... This is just how life is right now, I am usually positive, but I just don't feel like being Pollyanna today... I am just venting! So if you don't like it... wait till I update later.
The stress of today actually began long ago. Sunday's are no longer the relaxing, "put all of your cares aside day" like they used to be. Primary is always changing. It would help if they would stop taking away people who like to be in primary, who the kids love... but it changes. It would also be helpful if the people who are called to serve in primary, would simply do what they were called to do, or did what they say they would do.
Yesterday: I find out that teachers will be gone.
Today: I find out that more people were gone with little or no notice. It's great to come to primary and some pretty key players aren't there. Not to mention that the list of names I submitted for callings, A MONTH AGO... still hasn't been dealt with completely. Or that names on said list are no longer available, even though they were once told they could be "mine".
They are also very stealthily trying to take Merrill away from me, like we don't talk?
He's freaked out about that, change... Oh, and after the doctor's appointment yesterday, where THE BEST DOCTOR, DR. CARDON... gave us more information in 3 minutes than we had gotten in one week!!! He told us that the little cyst, needs to be surgically removed... cha-ching$!$
Then I have a music leader who isn't teaching the required songs for the program but then goes on to be huffy when sharing time eats into her music time... they are songs that the kids have sung for x number of years... this is just a review of all those years plus the last 3 weeks. 5 minutes of singing time is not a big deal. I don't think I hid my annoyance very well... Christie heard it in my voice, and I cannot hide my feelings well in my facial expressions... Julie both saw and heard... I hope I got my point across, "You aren't teaching any new songs... these are the same songs from the past few weeks... it's just a review... five minutes will be okay, they are wrapping-up sharing time." She left right after music time in Junior Primary... like she regularly stays for sacrament meeting... and she's supposed to be teaching the kids the gospel in song? But she doesn't stay for the most vital meeting in the Sunday block? Yah.
So then I visit with the counselor over us... that's where I find out that close to nothing has been done, and the names that were once mine, aren't mine any more, apparently there is something much better out there for them than serving in the Primary. Yada yada yada... I zoned out, I couldn't take anymore bad news...
Let me just tie my own noose now...
Mer was in pain, so we stayed to take the sacrament and then go home to medicate, and vent... To only have Julie chasing me down the hall... "Look at this!" The program has the Primary children down to sing a medley of songs... Ummmmm.... we have no chorister (remember, she went home), not to mention nobody told me about this... I would later find out that it was a "select group of children" who were prepared, and they just worded it wrong, well, maybe not wrong, but not in the best, most clear way...
So here I am, half dreading the week ahead...
Everything continues to pile on up, and I am bugged...
This is all I can recollect at the moment, and what I can say politely...
So there ya go.
Did I mention we are thinking of moving?

A cyst-"ick" update..

No, this is not Merrill's cyst... some random guy, but it looks similar...
Just got back from the doctor. Thanks Kaitlyn for helping with the kiddies!!!
I hope for his sake, he never "googles" himself...
We talked about optional methods to treat this so we don't have to endure going in everyday for 10 days to have it re-packed, and come to find out, this is the way it is supposed to be done.
Surprise, surprise, Dr. Muse was wrong, AGAIN. He was the one who put the tube in. He was also our first primary care physician who told me that Lynn did indeed have eczema, but didn't need the prescription lotion, another doctor corrected that one. He also told me that the fluoride the girls take, didn't come in any other form than liquid... I inquired about that after they had stained many a pair of PJs with stray fluoride spittle. I later found out, fluoride comes in chew ables, when we got a new doctor. Dr. Muse was also the same doctor who told me that Ashley skin tag, right at the top of her butt crack would go away on it's own... later found out that it would go away, sure... IF IT WERE SURGICALLY REMOVED!!! So he has screwed us more than once. That's why I am not at all surprised to discover that this method of treatment was also, incorrect. Now why did we get a new doctor?
Because he got a promotion. With a record like this, why on earth would he be promoted??? Now lets hope that HE never "googles" himself too... for his own ego's sake of course...
So Doctor Hall did much better today.
We talked about MORE follow-ups, talked about our sucky insurance, talked about the billing, which we shouldn't get anything billed to us for these follow-ups, "If you get more bills, complain, you shouldn't have to pay for anything more than the InstaCare visit."
He took out the packing, more puss on it.
He squeezed out more "sebaceous cyst matter", which looks a lot like cottage cheese (sorry to all those cottage cheese lovers...)
And before he re-packed it, he gave Mer some lidocaine to help with the pain, and had a much more talkative personality, asking and answering many questions, with confidence mind you...
He was still so impressed with my bandaging job, on Tuesday, that he offered to send me home with the stuff to re-pack Mer's wound. I couldn't do it, it hurts him too much. He also asked if I wanted to clean out the gunk that was still left in Mer's pit.. "I have been thinking about how well you bandaged his arm the other day. I am so impressed!" And when all was done, he just needed to be bandaged up, he asked me if I would do it. He needed to get more tape. He sent the nurse in with the tape, and she asked me how to do it...
Mer went back to work, which speaks volumes...
He knows that we won't be back tomorrow. We are supposed to go in Saturday, if not then, then Sunday, and he wants to see Mer Monday for sure.
So we'll see how well he does tonight. Our lives are pretty boring. We are stuck at home during the day, and don't do anything as a family at night with the way he's been feeling... I need to infuse some excitement.
Peyton sure is... every night since Monday, she has been waking at 3 am-ish... how on earth does my baby who has been sleeping through the night for months now, wake in the middle of the night to eat? She is really throwing me for one. Never quite satisfied with anything, quite moody, isn't taking good naps, acts like she's still hungry, but won't eat like she is hungry when I try to give her something else. I hope it's just teeth.
I am a mother of 3, so how is it that I can't figure this out so I can get back to my easy-going life?

Another day of "the cyst"drama...

Soooo... yesterday, Dixon took Merrill to InstaCare after work to get "the cyst" drained... he insisted on taking him, too bad he's not paying for it too. I do feel bad that Mer was in so much pain, but he even said, "It's gonna burst any minute." So, Dixon took Mer, and I stayed with the girls.
An antibiotic and pain prescription were given, Dixon took those in to get filled, but didn't get back in time to pick them up /:!... I said I could go and get them, so it kind of made me ornery. He said he'd get them this morning, needless to say, I picked them up this afternoon, after a follow-up appointment.
He saw Dr. Hall, "the kernel" doctor, who I really don't care for, zero confidence. Despite the fact that this is the third time this has happened, he wanted to do everything like it was the first, cultures and biopsies... the first time the doc just put in a drainage tube, and left it in, it fell out on it's own when all the goo was gone. This goofball, wants us to come in EVERYDAY to have him re-pack it. After seeing what kind of pain that puts Merrill through, I think we'll not do that everyday.
I just hate how every doctor has a different idea how to treat one thing, and this time, it just so happens to be my least favorite way.
So that goofball doc was who we got to go see for the follow-up today. The girl at the receptionist desk thought she was pretty straight forward with her assertive tone and all about what we were there for, then she brought up the co-pay... oh, no she di-n't!!! She doesn't know me or about all of my pent-up rage... I let her have it, a nicely as I could. "This is a "follow-up"... we already paid a co-pay..." She tried to argue it, but she gave up quickly. We got to endure the lovely wait, sarcastic... and once we got into a room, Merrill says it's all "off record"... "You're not going to blog about this..."
I'll just say, I have never seen him in so much pain. He took the rest of the day off to be drugged-up and loopy.
So here I am, a single mother, pretty much... the littlest things that he would help me with, getting the girls ready for bed, holding Peyton so I can free my hands for a sec when she is being "Peyton-Pissy-Pants", dressing himself... all gone. He is the "one-armed" man now.
Thanks MiKell for watching the girls so I could go with Mer today!!!
Now I stress about the bill that will one day come, even though I don't with other bills that come... and our deck.. oh, our deck that is half a deck... and not even stained...
It's supposed to rain... so now I have a half deck, covered with a tarp, and a one-armed husband.

3 shots + 2 bandaids = 1 unhappy girl...

Yeah, I never was one for math... but that's how it adds up!
Peyton had her 2 month check-up and immunizations yesterday...
A pic from before:
and after...
She had the Rhototec immunization too. What with Lynn taking her trips out of our nest and exposing us more and more to the outside world, we thought we ought to. It does save us a two week hospital stay if she were to get the Rhotovirus. Nasty!
The good Doc. (although Mer doesn't like him...) was surprised at her strength. She holds her head and torso up really well. He commented that most babies aren't that strong till they are 4 or 5 months old. Everything else was right on!
11 pounds 14 ounces
23 inches long now
Now if we could only get her to want a bink instead of me!
She had a rough day yesterday, even before the appointment. She wouldn't take a good nap. She seriously slept a total of maybe an hour yesterday! Forget the idea of a nap after the appointment unless I was constantly holding her... I got her to sleep around 11 and then she woke up a little after midnight. We were snuggling and so comfy, she was nursing and sleeping, then around 3:30 am (that has always been "our time" even before she was born...) she was grunting, fussing a little. She was warm so I took her temp., 102.5... I gave her meds and we went downstairs to snuggle more, I needed some TV to get me out again. To my pleasure, "Yentl" was in the free movie section. I love the music, mom used to listen to it when I was little.
Now Pey sleeps... going since nearly 10 now...
I am thankful to a mother-in-law who brought Lynn home from pre-school so I wouldn't have to disturb Peyton's wonderful nap... thanks Darlene!
The weather was so nice yesterday... our house got to 72... we walked to check on the Kitties... no kittens...
And now there are flurries! Weird...

Has it really been a week?!?

Last night, everything going through my mind was, "A week ago..." I want to stop time! I look forward to growth and development, but I absolutely love this, right now... I am remembering to EMBRACE...
Today I took Peyton in for a one week check-up, yes, the doc wanted to see her at one week instead of two. He didn't even ask about the weight check I was supposed to do Friday... so I guess that was really important... She weighs 8 pounds 10 ounces now, and everything is great, well, except the umbilical hernia. They left the clamp on at the hospital because we were discharged before the magical 24th hour... so since it was left on, her little umbilical cord stump has dragged-down the skin that will be her belly-button, and has made this funny little lump. He said that back in the day, they used to wait for the stump to fall off, and tape a quarter over the belly button to weigh it down and pull it back in. He said it should pull back in on it's own. He took the dang thing off... and then offered to let me keep it, since I paid so much for it, he was kidding me. We have this kinship about the ridiculousness of insurance...
She did a flukey sleep-through-the-night thing last night. I kept waking up whenever she would growl. She didn't want to eat, she didn't really want to wake up! I know it happens just once in every new babyhood, you know, you usually wake up in a panic, because you realize they haven't gotten up to eat... she is the sweetest thing!
I have decided that when I do a layout, I will post it at the bottom. Peyton is getting cuter by the day, her pics will take precedence over pics of layouts...
So since I do have other children...
Lynn discovered how to use the remote control... not a good thing for me. This far, I have had total control over what she views on the TV. Now, she has this new-found freedom. A whole world has been opened to her. For me that means commercials. We will have to better educate her about the difference between needs and wants. She is so proud of herself! Thank heavens at the time, she chose to watch UEN (Utah Education Network).
Ashley is turning into quite the comedian. She has been telling knock-knock jokes all day.
Here's a sample:
"Knock-knock..."
"Who's there?"
"Me."
"Me who?"
"Orange... (or insert any other fruit or Disney princess' name here...)"
"Orange (or other option) who?"
"Orange will be watching you!"
See, hilarious!
I called sown to SLC about this whole kernel bill. The local business manager over the office would not return my phone calls. I also had another question for them concerning a new vaccine... anyways... I told this nice guy about it all. He was going to have me call him tomorrow morning so we could have a conference call with this lady and get it all cleared up. The bill was due this past Sunday... So after I got off the phone with him, he called back like two minutes later. He told me that he managed to get a hold of her, and she would be calling me. I didn't count on it, it was four to four, and you know those "convenient business hours"... well, she did call, a little after five. Very friendly, and so was I. I told her the situation, how when you wait for TWO HOURS on New Years Eve, you kind of EXPECT the doctor to be able to resolve the situation, and have SOME confidence. I told her all about his two attempts, and then the possibility of being sent to a specialist. I told her about my vacuum comment to Ash and how he bit onto the idea, and IT WORKED... so she said how badly she felt that I had had a bad experience and that I hadn't been able to talk to her in a timely manner. She took half off. The kernel removal cost only $150.00. BLESSING. Boy am I glad I was nice too... she caught me at a good time in life, I am way too happy to be mad at anyone right now... well, maybe not... (nyj)
We are back to square one. Pain wise that is... I was feeling so good. Now, I have this cough. It hurts to cough, and it hurts "down below", as Dr. Bierer would say, when I cough. Sitting is a real fun time again. Hence, no layouts tonight...

There's a first time for everything...

So my day was... well... hormonal, crazy, for lack of a better word, Christie...



It started out well enough. I woke up with a sore throat, Ashley woke up flat-out grouchy. I ended-up having one of those "once a trimester" hormonal days... it was great... I even had to cancel on Brooke for my "Ice Cream" photo shoot... you'll see that later, I hope...



I tried to get some house cleaning done. I didn't get very far. Ashley came to me inconsolable. When I finally got her calmed-down enough to speak, she told me that her ear hurt. Great. We have never had an ear-infection. NEVER. See, there is a first time for everything. So I made a doctor's appointment for later in the afternoon, the first I could get. Good thing, no instacare; guaranteed to see a doctor I liked, and less $$$. The Tylenol helped until that time...



We got there, and I love that he always asks (the whole three times we've seen him in almost two years...), if we've ever met before. He always comments how lucky I am that we don't have sick kids. So he starts in with the questions. He teased Ash and asked her if she might have put a kernel in her ear... that got a giggle. He started to ask me more questions I answer them, things about cold symptoms, her breathing, etc. He asks if I am a nurse. He says that I sure talk to him like one! Long story short, everything is fine with her, except for the infection. I got to see it too. He was even more amazed that we've never had an infection. He said that her ear was ready to rupture... see, even better. She hasn't acted the least bit uncomfortable until today. She even slept through the night.



My blessing for the day:

Jaclyn brought me whoopie pies. She didn't even know what I was going through, and she made some and brought them to me! I love it! I am so thankful when people do nice things for what they think is no reason... it totally made my day! Thank Jacks!

I've been tagged again... watch for it... maybe tomorrow... thanks Rach...

One down...

Don't even start on the time... what a long day. This is my first solitary time to even get something accomplished. One of Peyton's layouts done... how many more to go?

The doctor appointment went so good today! She is soo cute! We couldn't get any good pics of her face, though. Dr. Bierer said we were in the wrong room :( that and she was too busy sucking on her hands to give us a good full shot. Kind of a bummer since it took us over an hour to even get back there... She does have quite the chubby cheeks and HAIR... lots of it, it appears. She is still right around that 4 1/2 pound mark. Has a head that measures a little more than 34 weeks... we're almost there!

Maybe tomorrow I'll try to add video...

We'll see just how alert I am, Ashley is still up, since 8:15 am to be exact. She has a little bit of a cough, sounds more like her asthma, though. I guess I'll check the bloggin' scene, and then enjoy some "Snow White" with her. Nothing like snuggle time with my most favorite three-year-old!

Can't wait to talk to Brooke either! They are finally home! I hope she doesn't rub in Disney World too much...

Just had a doctor's appointment. Did the "fun" glucose test... All is well. I am pretty proud, I've gained only 21 pounds so far... I feel like that is pretty dang good considering with Lynn, I hit this point at about 5 months! Baby Peyton is 2 and 3/4 pounds of it. Her head is measuring at 29 weeks instead of the almost 28 where I am supposed to be at. So we are a little ahead. Dr. Bierer is keeping the due date at February 22nd, even though my BIG ultrasound said February 16th... I know I'll probably start to go earlier than that anyway!
A couple of funny things the girls have been saying:
We get matching PJs every year for Christmas from Darlene, and Mer's and mine are exactly alike. Well maybe not exact size wise... We happened to be wearing a pair of pants that just happen to be the same, and the other morning Ashley asked me why I was wearing Daddy's pants, disgusted that I would be wearing his pants. This morning, Lynn asked me the same question! It's funny considering they have seen us wearing them at the same time, but they think they are his...
Yesterday Ash was having a bad coughing fit, like nearly throwing-up, and being really pouty about it. I told her that if she would just take her Mucinex, she wouldn't be coughing so violently. I asked her if she wanted to take it, of course, she said "no". She started coughing again, and getting upset, again. I asked her if she was ready to take it now to which she replied, "Well then, what are you waiting for?" Do you think she took it? No way.