KT Seyboldt Stories

Meet me in St. Louis

2011-10-04T19:56:00.003-06:00

Travis and I went on a trip all by ourselves. No kids. None. Just 2 adults. (Thanks to all those who pitched in and made this possible.)

(Yes, I took that picture. I think it is pretty awesome.)

SO YOU THINK YOU CAN...WHAT???

2010-02-02T14:50:00.004-07:00

Yes, it is true. We just had our first couples SoYou Think You Can Dance competition. There was a trophy to be won and everything. We had 4 couples (who are all professional dancers) compete in this very serious competition.

Here is the awesomest dance of the whole night.

I mean - of course that is the dance that won, right?!?!?!

WRONG! I know. Something is wrong with the judging! Take a look at the dances below and tell me they are better.

Yeah. That is what I thought. Who do you think the winner is?

Whatever. You better watch out for next year. You are all in trouble!!

Mother Hen

2010-01-18T08:25:00.003-07:00

I know I am a sucker. I know I am no good at letting go of my babies. And, I will admit...

Tate is never going to be able to "cry it out". However, at this point it has nothing to do with me.

It is all because of...

...this Mother Hen.

Last night I was doing such a good job. It was 10:00. Tate just finished eating. I put him in his crib. He popped his little head up and... wait for it.... wait for it... I walked away and shut the door!!! He got sooooo sad. (Ugh. I hate it!) But I went about cleaning up the kitchen telling myself that I would go get him if he was still crying after I finished the dishes. About 5 minutes had gone by. I was doing great. And then I heard the creek of the door. WHAT THE??? Had Tate gotten out of his crib?!?!?! I went to the bottom of the stairs and I was quietly hollering, "Who is awake up there?" No answer. I looked around the corner and Tate's door was open and the light was on.

I hauled myself up the stairs (and no, I was not done with the dishes) to find a little chair under the light switches and a Savannah standing next to his crib saying, "It okay Tate. It okay Tate." I shooed her off to bed and then she was crying. She is such a little mommy! She does things that my boys would never have done at her age and still wouldn't do at their age now. Things like... telling someone 6 years older than them that they need to get in bed and lay down, cleaning up their own mess of spills, being concerned EVERY (and I mean EVERY) time the baby cries.

So, I guess the lesson I learned last night is that I need to let my 2 year old daughter sleep. And, in order to do that I am going to have to continue to hold, snuggle, cuddle, and rock with my baby so he doesn't cry!

So far, so good

2009-12-02T20:44:00.001-07:00

It has been 2 days now and I must admit... so far, so good. Things have been just great with the missionaries here. They are very respectful and non-invasive (as non-invasive as you can be when living with someone). I will keep you posted. Like I said...it has only been 2 days.

They're coming...

2009-11-29T19:55:00.004-07:00

Yes, it is true. They are coming. They are coming tomorrow. I don't know how I got myself into this situation. But, they are coming. I spent the weekend cleaning out a dresser, cleaning out a shelf in the kitchen for food and Travis cleaned out the closet, hung a bar for clothes, cleaned the storage room (so we had somewhere to put the stuff that he cleaned out of the closet), carried a queen bed down 2 flights of stairs, shampooed the bed, we washed sheets and made 2 queen beds.

Who is coming you ask? Like I said, I don't know how I got myself into this... (actually, I do know how I got myself into this. I heard TRAVIS talking in the hall at church and had to immediately put a stop to the conversation to say we needed to think about this and measure the room at home.)

Yes. The missionaries are coming to live with us for 3 1/2 months. I am hoping all goes well and we will all think it was a great experience. I am sure there are going to be many great blessings that come from us opening our home - right?!?!

Were baa-aack

2009-11-22T21:36:00.003-07:00

Long time, no see... I am sure you thought I quit blogging. I did not.

Don't let this crinkled nose, squinty eyed smile fool you. Although he is the cutest thing these days - he was my hardest infant by far. Crying all day, every day. And when I mean all day, I mean ALL DAY. Like no naps, no sleeping, no playing, crying all day. The only time he was quiet was when he was nursing. Thank heavens for the help I had. Once we got things figured out and got him on some reflux medication (and I went on my fantastic no dairy, no gluten diet...and by fantastic I mean crappy) he is a different person. We are almost at 6 months old and he has already been off of his medication. I wish I could say the same about my diet. But, not so much. Still on it. (However, I would rather be on the diet than be putting meds in his body.)

Anyhow, just though I would let you all see what a good baby he is now that he isn't screaming and let you know that I am going to try to be a bit better about blogging again.

Photos from my (I mean Savannah's) tramatic day

2009-09-02T16:52:00.003-06:00

I didn't try to get her to smile or anything. She was just happy. Glad all the people were coming to see her. She even got to color "on da bed, mom?!?!" "Not on MY bed ata my house. Dust on da gocker bed." (just on the doctor's bed)

I don't care what she says. She IS one tough cookie.

Smarts

2009-09-02T16:48:00.002-06:00

Parker: "Mom, everyone in my class had to do a paper today. But, I didn't have to do the paper cuz I already knew it all and I am so smart. So, I got to do a paper where you have to read and match the words. I even already knew most of the matches."

Hmmmm...what do ya say to that???

Cookies or Not Cookies

2009-08-30T21:28:00.002-06:00

So, we spent the day in the hospital. Savannah went out to play with the boys who were playing baseball... (I know I don't really need to write anymore to finish out that story but I will). Brennon was pitching to Parker who took a giant swing and Savannah was behind him. I heard it hit all the way in the house. The I heard the screaming and found the blood gushing.

I tried to just go to the urgent care. But, they sent me away. They said that plastics needed to do the stitching and they were afriad that she had a fracture in her skull. However, she did so great sitting on that table. She let the doctors look and she let the nurses clean - all without crying.

After 5 hours in the hospital and 15 stitches done by the plastic surgeon we are back home and she is doing as good as can be expected. The doctor said that there was probably a small orbital fracture but it will heal on its own. They did sedate her before doing the stitches (I had the choice of that or general anesthesia). That was horrible to watch. It was all I could do to not bawl my eyes out watching my baby on that table with her eyes rolling in the back of her head.

Long story short. Here is the humorous part of the story. (I know...pretty good that there was anything humorous, right?) Travis dropped the boys off at the neighbors and came up to the hospital once we found out it was going to be more serious than just a few stitches. We were waiting on the plastic surgeon. Travis got in the room and told Savannah that she was a tough cookie. Savannah became very distraught and said, "I NOT COOKIE!! I JUST TOUGH!"

(I will post pictures tomorrow. I am going to feed my baby and go to bed. I have a major stress headache...)

Recent pics

2009-08-14T20:07:00.004-06:00

We finally did our annual trip down to the Highlands Ranch Kiddie Kandids. My little sister, Natalie, is the manager there. Thanks for the picture Nat!

Brennon - 9
Parker - 6
Savannah - 2 1/2
Tate - 2 months

Home grown

2009-08-14T18:17:00.001-06:00

Look what I grew! Doesn't it look so yummy?

Too bad the hail got to it. I guess I will just eat half...

more pics

2009-07-13T11:19:00.004-06:00

This was the kids first visit to see the new baby. They were all very excited to hold him.

Tate in his car seat ready to go home. I however, was not ready to go home. I would have stayed in the hospital for another week if they would have let me.

Our first family photo with 6 .

"Whobody" and animal crackers

2009-07-13T11:12:00.003-06:00

When I was out in MN in December visiting my friend Suzie her little girl, Ella, said my most favorite new word in the whole wide world. "Who-body". It totally made me laugh and it completely made sense. It should be a real word.

So, the other day I was out on the back patio with Savannah and she took her crocs off.

Me: "Savannah, you need to get your shoes. You don't want to leave them outside or somebody will take them."

S: "Who-body takea my croc?"

M: "The animals will eat your crocs."

S: "I not want animal crackers eata my crocs!"

He is here!!

2009-06-03T14:30:00.009-06:00

Gordon Tate Seyboldt arrived on June 3rd at 7:50am via c-section. He was 7lbs 1 ounce and 19 inches long. Things with the c-section went well. We are happy we made that decision because the placenta was attached, and I would have been in the same predicament again had we gone the other route. I was freaking out, tried to pass out on the nurses when they put the IV in because they missed, but I am doing fine now.

Paging Dr. Travis! His favorite part was the doctor's clothes he got to wear. I am going to get him some scrubs for his birthday.

Baby Tate is a screamer! He doesn't even sound like a newborn, more like a little kid.

The rest of the family will be visiting shortly, so we will have more pics uploaded later this week.

I forgot...

2009-05-21T07:15:00.003-06:00

Big surprise, I forgot something. I swear, I need major help. I forgot to post my favorite picture of the bunch! And, I forgot to tell my friend, Sarah, THANK YOU SO MUCH for taking my pictures! So, the following picture is my most fav...

I mean, how cute is that? She had to check out her own "gus, gus" (as she calls it). But do not be confused - I have a baby, everyone else has a "gus, gus".

Alright Already!!!

2009-05-20T15:23:00.003-06:00

If you are scared of big, giant, fat, pregnant ladies...do not read or look on. Pictures are included and may make you scared.

I know it has been way to long since I have posted. I hate it when the rest of you do this. I have lost my mind, organization, cleaning skills, and everything else. With every pound I have gained it is another brain cell gone...

Anyhow, I had an MRI to see if I have the same issues I had with Savannah. Good news is that it is not any worse than last time. Bad news, is that they really can't tell FOR SURE that it is not the same as last time. And, let me tell ya, last time was bad enough. So, I met with the doctor yesterday and we decided to go the scary c-section route. However, I don't think anything could be as scary as what happened last time. With a c-section if anything is wrong then he is already in there and can take care of things really quickly. So, June 3rd at 7:30 am this baby is going to make his way into this world.

A hunting we will go, A hunting we will go...

2009-04-23T20:16:00.006-06:00

This week Brennon has been taking a hunting safety class. I know you are thinking...where do you live? But, he is always out playing with BB guns so I figured when the neighbor was putting her boy in the class I might as well put Brennon in the class. It has been a pretty intense class. The class ended at 9 pm each night this week. (He is getting more and more tired by the day. This is my kid who goes to bed at 7 pm and wakes up, with help, at 7 am.) They attend lecture 2 1/2 hours a night and then have a written exam as well as a shooting exam. The exam part was tonight. Brennon LOVED the shooting part of the exam. In fact, he asked if he could take the test again so he could go shooting again. And, he is super happy to report that he passed the written exam with a 90%! Way to go Brennon!!

Pictures and video follow to show his mad skills with a 22!

Next step... join the NRA...

Easter

2009-04-17T18:55:00.006-06:00

What a start to a fun Easter Sunday. The kids got their baskets and proceeded to "hunt" around the house finding about a billion eggs.
Savannah was a nightmare to get ready for church. Remember, pneumonia?!?! Well, she is still a little grumpy and not happy about doing ANYTHING!! It took both Travis and I to get her dressed with her kicking a screaming and pulling her dress and tights off every chance she got. Once we got to Grandma's house after church she seemed to cheer up a bit. (If you are thinking...hmmm, that dress looks a lot like the dress she wore last year when she was 14 months old. You are correct. She still fit into that 18 month dress even though she is 26 months old. I figured why buy another one?)
Savannah LOVES her grandpa! And, I am pretty sure she has him wrapped pretty darn tight around her little finger...
My little sister came up to Grandmas and hid 230 something eggs for the grandkids to find. They had a blast.

We had a yummy ham dinner. Grandma cooked the ham and homemade rolls. Casey made his homemade scalloped potatoes and I was in charge of dessert... homemade eclairs.

Getting Ready

2009-04-11T20:35:00.006-06:00

Last night we went to our ward Easter Dinner. They had a yummy dinner with a presentation of the "Reflections of Christ". It was a good reminder to start our weekend of what Easter is really all about.

Today was a day of having fun and getting ready for tomorrow. We started off the morning by going to the Windsor Easter Egg Hunt. They had the kids split into age groups so I only got pictures of Savannah. Let me tell you...those parents are out for blood. I let Savannah run out and pick up the eggs herself - she got 4. Little did I know you needed to pick all the eggs up right away and put them in your kid's basket for them. Parker did alright but Brennon was disappointed. Not to worry...there is the big egg hunt at Grandma's tomorrow.

Savannah was a little unsure of what was going on at first. Once she picked up her first egg and got it in her basket she was super excited.

This evening we spent some time making easter cupcakes to take to dinner at my mom's house tomorrow. The kids thought this was really fun.

You might think that Travis is even getting in on the decorating action... ummmm no... he just wanted to eat one that had extra frosting on it. He didn't even wait until after dinner. Once that happened I had no control over the rest of them.
Do you see how helpful they all are?
Brennon was not scared...
Luckily I was able to put a stop to the madness before all the cupcakes and frosting were gone. Here is the finished product. Ready to go to Grandma's tomorrow. The kids can't wait.

Update

2009-04-11T20:32:00.002-06:00

Savannah no longer has a raging fever. She is on the mend. However, she feels just good enough to be super cranky! And, it doesn't help that during the week she was sick she was spoiled rotten. She is having a hard time not being held to go to sleep for her nap and at night. Daddy is no longer good enough because he went out of town during part of the time she was sick. So, she only wants Mommy. (I am thinking I need to leave town and get her used to her Dad again...) She has moments of being cute and being happy. We are hoping that these moments start getting longer and longer...

104.5

2009-04-08T16:22:00.004-06:00

If you are 2 years old and you get a 104.5 fever the doctor will probably diagnose you with pneumonia and an ear infection. Then you go to Grandma's house and look like this...

What would you choose?

2009-04-01T18:29:00.002-06:00

So, if you woke up before your mom and quickly packed your lunch...what would you choose to put in it? If you are an 8 year old boy you would pack the following...

2 pieces of licorice

1 chocolate pudding

1 Curious George fruit snack

1 LARGE pack of cherry fruit snacks

Are You Ready?

2009-03-18T19:31:00.003-06:00

Are you ready for March Madness?? We are now officially ready. We have all filled out our brackets and I am pretty sure I am going to crush all my boys in this contest.

As you can see...even Savannah "filled out" her bracket.

A Day at the Lake

2009-03-16T17:45:00.006-06:00

Doesn't get any better than wading at the lake in the middle of March!! Saturday was warm and sunny so we decided to go play at the new playground the town of Windsor just put in by the lake. As you can see...nobody wanted to play on the playground...only in the water.

Okay, so the water was a little chilly. Look at those red legs! But they had so much fun.

Answer

2009-03-13T15:28:00.002-06:00

Punchinello. Punchinello by Max Lucado- is Savannah's favorite story. Max Lucado writes lots of books and Punchinello is the main character in the stories...so Savannah just calls the book "Danda-nello".

What is your favorite story?

2009-03-12T11:17:00.002-06:00

Before every nap and every bedtime we have to read multiple stories to Savannah. And when I say multiple...I mean MULTIPLE...like I am going to start hiding books so she can't find anymore to read, multiple. So, here is her answer to my questions of, "What is your favorite story?". I just can't help but want her to say it so many time cuz she is so cute! I ask her a lot what her favorite story is, just so I can hear her answer.

The Love

2009-03-01T19:16:00.003-07:00

Have I mentioned how much Savannah loves to be with Parker? After their bath Savannah was freezing. So, Parker showed her how to get warm.

The Thinker

2009-03-01T19:10:00.004-07:00

What more can I say?

Here it is...

2009-02-19T17:02:00.004-07:00

Whoops. I pressed enter instead of tab on that last post. So, now is the final word. It is not a girl, like I was so positive it was. I went in there 99.9% sure it was a girl. Then she told me, "It's a BOY." I told her she had better check again.

So, I can put away all those girl clothing bins that I have been keeping out and get out all the little boy clothes.

It's a ...

2009-02-19T17:02:00.001-07:00

Feb. 19,2009

2009-02-17T15:56:00.002-07:00

Thursday is the big day. I know it is a little behind schedule...like a whole month...but it will happen. I have my ultrasound to find out what I am having on Thursday. Many, many have asked and don't worry. I will be sure to post when I finally do know more specifics on the kind of baby I am having.

2 years

2009-02-17T15:40:00.004-07:00

Savannah had her 2 year check up today. She is totally healthy, happy, and energetic. Her speech is taking off with leaps and bounds. She is really trying to pronounce words correctly now. For example, instead of there being a "dede" in my tummy there is now a "BaBy". She is such a joy to have around. And, we love her to death.

Apparently, big joys come in small packages... She weighed in at 24 1/2 pounds which puts her in the 30%. Her head circumference was 19 1/4 which puts her in the 80%. Lots of room for big brains! And she stood at 2' 7" which puts her -- oh, "there is not a spot for me to mark this on the chart", says the doctor. He had to mark it as less than 2%!! He then says, "Basically, out of 100 kids, over 98 of them are taller than her and you might find 1 or 2 that are shorter." Followed by a little giggle. It was even a little funny to the doctor! So, she is our little peanut...with a HUGE personality.

20 weeks

2009-02-14T18:59:00.004-07:00

I know this post is tricky because I am really 24 weeks preg...but I am just getting around to putting this picture up. Don't worry cuz I am growing by leaps and bounds every day. I swear I am way bigger than this picture. I am not one to stay tiny in my last months of pregnancy!

Valentines

2009-02-14T10:21:00.004-07:00

Savannah and I got to go to Parker's Valentine party at school. Savannah was in heaven!! Parker was so great with her. He let her color all over the back of his bag he was making and help put the stickers on. He is such a little "Love Bug" (see pic below)!!

Savannah is such a great helper!

Expired?

2009-02-08T19:55:00.002-07:00

Oh my gosh...I can hardly keep from peeing my pants while I am typing this! Kids are so stinkin' funny!!

Parker: "What does expired mean?"

Mom: "What?"

Parker: "What does expired mean? Like when my Webkinz was going to expire but it didn't."

Mom: "Oh. Expired means when something is too old or isn't going to work any more."

Parker: "So...like, Grandpa is really expired, right mom!? Grandma and Grandpa are expired. But, not my Webkinz anymore because I got another one."

Well, I guess you could say that.

Movers and Shakers

2009-02-05T20:10:00.002-07:00

Tonight I went to our annual HOA meeting. This was an important meeting because the term for one of the board members was up so we were electing a new member. Let me give you some background on this neighborhood situation...We have a select few who like to make it miserable for the majority. Like, instead of helping out and pulling up your trash can after 2 days of it sitting at the end of the driveway, he will call and tell on you so you get a letter of violation. LAME!!! But, everyone at that meeting (except the one) tonight had similar feelings about what they want to see happen with our neighborhood.

Next order of business - nomination for new board member...I raised my hand and said, "Can I nominate my husband even though he is not here tonight. I will make his speech for him and answer all the questions for him." They laughed. But I was serious. And...I did it. And...I won the vote for him!! Congrats Travis you are now a member of our HOA Board of Directors!!!

THEN...I was put in charge of the welcoming committee!

So, I guess what I am saying is...we are about to make stuff happen in this neighborhood. Hold on to your pants folks.

AND...I proposed (which I totally stole this idea from my friend, Suzie - thanks) Flamingo Friday. Whoever is hosting the get together that Friday puts the Pink Flamingo in their front yard so everyone knows where to meet. You get together, come if you want, don't come if you don't want and are a boring neighbor, bring your own drinks and snack, let the kids play, and actually hang out with your neighbors. After I made this proposal I did say that we will probably be in violation of the covenants which states no unsightly fixtures within your landscaping. But, all who were there liked the idea...so we will see if the developers and our tattle-tale neighbor turn us in this summer.

Quote

2009-02-05T08:34:00.008-07:00

This is the quote I woke up to this morning...

Parker: "Mom, sometimes my brain just thinks about itself."

That was all. End of conversation.

Ca-Car deez-esss

2009-02-01T18:30:00.002-07:00

What??? You don't know what that means? This is what I hear 25 times a day.

"Mooooom. I anna ay Ca-car deez-esss!"

Yes, that is right folks. That would be my not even 2 year old daughter telling me, 'I wanna play Parker's DS."

How does she even know what a DS is? I mean get serious! Nintendo DS at the age of ONE?!?!?! I am afraid for the future.

Lunch with Parker

2009-01-27T19:50:00.003-07:00

During this story please remember that Parker is only 5 years old.

Today I had just put Savannah down for a nap (earlier than usual because she was up before 7) and came in to check my email. Parker came in to me and said:

"Mom, can you come open that salad?"

"Sure, why do you want the salad open?" In my mind I was thinking he must be confused and really be wanting me to open something else.

"Because I want to have salad for lunch."

So, we trek to the kitchen and he opens up the fridge and I ask him to show me exactly what he is talking about that he wants me to open. Well, he knew just what he wanted because he took out the salad. He asked if he could dish his own and I said yes. He filled his plate completely full and then asked for that stuff that we 'usually put on top' (Ranch dressing). I figured if he was having salad for lunch I might as well join him. So, I dished myself a plate full as well. Much to my surprise he finished his entire plate in nothin' flat! Then he says:

"That was good! I'm all full."

What 5 year old asks to have salad for lunch??? If only I would have had broccoli to put on his salad it would have been perfect. (And, I am not kidding about the broccoli...it is his favorite food.)

The Invisible Mom

2009-01-13T19:50:00.003-07:00

I have read this before but thought I would pass it on to all my "Mom" friends out there...

It all began to make sense, the blank stares, the lack of response, the way one of the kids will walk into the room while I'm on the phone and ask to be taken to the store. Inside I'm thinking, 'Can't you see I'm on the phone?' Obviously not; no one can see if I'm on the phone, or cooking, or sweeping the floor,or even standing on my head in the corner, because no one can see me at all. I'm invisible. The invisible Mom.

Some days I am only a pair of hands,nothing more: Can you fix this? Can you tie this? Can you open this? Some days I'm not a pair of hands; I'm not even a human being. I'm a clock to ask, 'What time is it?' I'm a satellite guide to answer, What number is the Disney Channel?' I'm a car to order, 'Right around5:30, please.'

I was certain that these were the hands that once held books and the eyes that studied history and the mind that graduated summa cum laude - but now they had disappeared into the peanut butter, never to be seen again. She's going, she's going, she's gone!

One night, a group of us were having dinner, celebrating the return ofa friend from England .. Janice had just gotten back from a fabulous trip, and she was going on and on about the hotel she stayed in. I was sitting there, looking around at the others all put together so well. It was hard not to compare and feel sorry for myself. I was feeling pretty pathetic, when Janice turned to me with a beautifully wrapped package, and said, 'I brought you this.' It was a book on the great cathedrals of Europe . I wasn't exactly sure why she'd given it to me until I read her inscription: 'To Charlotte , with admiration for the greatness of what you are building when no one sees.'

In the days ahead I would read - no, devour - the book. And I would discover what would become for me, four life-changing truths, after which I could pattern my work: No one can say who built the great cathedrals we have no record of their names. These builders gave their whole lives for a work they would never see finished. They made great sacrifices and expected no credit. The passion of their building was fueled by their faith that the eyes of God saw everything.

A legendary story in the book told of a rich man who came to visit the cathedral while it was being built, and he saw a workman carving a tiny bird on the inside of a beam. He was puzzled and asked the man, 'Why are you spending so much time carving that bird into a beam that will be covered by the roof? No one will ever see it.' And the workman replied, 'Because God sees.'

I closed the book, feeling the missing piece fall into place. It was almost as if I heard God whispering to me, 'I see you, Charlotte. I see the sacrifices you make every day, even when no one around you does. No act of kindness you've done, no sequin you've sewn on, no cupcake you've baked, is too small for me to notice and smile over. You are building a great cathedral, but you can't see right now what it will become.'

At times, my invisibility feels like an affliction. But it is not a disease that is erasing my life. It is the cure for the disease of my own self-centeredness. It is the antidote to my strong, stubborn pride. I keep the right perspective when I see myself as a great builder. As one of the people who show up at a job that they will never see finished, to work on something that their name will never be on. The writer of the book went so far as to say that no cathedrals could ever be built in our lifetime because there are so few people willing to sacrifice to that degree.

When I really think about it, I don't want my child to tell the friend he's bringing home from college for Thanksgiving, 'My Mom gets up at 4in the morning and bakes homemade pies, and then she hand bastes a turkey for three hours and presses all the linens for the table.' That would mean I'd built a shrine or a monument to myself. I just want him to want to come home. And then, if there is anything more to say to his friend, to add, 'You're gonna love it there.'

As mothers, we are building great cathedrals. We cannot be seen if we're doing it right. And one day, it is very possible that the world will marvel, not only at what we have built, but at the beauty that has been added to the world by the sacrifices of invisible women.

Great Job, MOM!

Christmas 2008 overview

2009-01-10T15:08:00.006-07:00

Christmas Eve always starts with dinner at Grandma Stockdale's. We had our fancy dinner where the kids get to drink with glass cups and they think they are fancy with the candles on their table. Then...on with the show...

Brennon was Joseph:

Parker was the Angel:

And, Savannah freaked out when I tried to put a costume on her. So she just watched.

The cast:

After the Nativity play we always hear a Christmas story from Grandma. She buys a different book every year to share with the kids. Savannah loved it!

Then it was on with the annual opening of a Christmas Eve present...hmmmm...I wonder what those presents could be??? Maybe jammies?!?!?!?

Savannah LOVED her Dora jammies. Parker was excited about Mario jammies. Refer to photo below to see how Brennon felt about his jammies...The tree on Christmas Eve.Oh, the excitement a Temperpedic pillow can cause an 8 year old boy!!! He could hardly believe his eyes.A puppy for Savannah is just what she wanted. Too bad it wasn't real.The final product of Christmas morning. New bunkbeds (the boys now share a room) and a Wii were the big ticket items this year.
Savannah scored with approximately 137 ponies, a dog and a baby.

Presents from Suzie

2009-01-10T15:02:00.002-07:00

Before Christmas the kids got to open a present from my friend Suzie. She sent some presents home for the kids after I went to visit her in MN. They were super excited.

Savannah totally got the concept of unwrap and get a surprise!

Boys: Minnesota sweatshirts, which they loved. Savannah: My Little Pony books, which she LOVED!

1st big snow

2009-01-10T14:57:00.002-07:00

We got our first big snow the first part of December this year. Last year we realized we have WAAAY too much driveway to shovel. So, we got the plow attachment for our riding mower. Travis' first experience with it was this...Yes, that would be our plow totally stuck when driven off of the driveway. Lesson learned.

This is Savannah's first time getting dressed to go out in the snow. She could hardly move! But she was very facinated by what the snow would do when she would kick it.

And, Parker was just happy to have people outside with him in the freezing cold.

Yummmm...

2009-01-07T21:09:00.003-07:00

This is what happens when brothers leave butter on the table.

That was fun to clean up and wash out of everything!

MN cold

2008-12-08T16:35:00.003-07:00

I am lucky enough to be in MN for an entire week to visit my BFF from high school!! And...with no kids!!! That is the most amazing part! (Thanks Mom for feeding them at least one healthy dinner while I am gone. And thanks to my friend, Sarah, for babysitting so Travis could go for an interview!)

So, the week started out with a delayed flight into Minneapolis due to snow (big surprise). Then a BIG surprised Suzie...she had no idea I was coming to town...it was a birthday surprise for her!!

Saturday night we had a Murder Mystery Dinner Party for her birthday party. Everyone got very into their parts and the costumes (and accents) were hilarious. Then Sunday we went to church and then to chop down a Christmas tree. It was approximately 7 degrees and windy with a down pour of snow. However, we picked a great tree and brought it home for Matt (the hubby) to get put in the stand. I did have to have a nap after all of that excitement.

It has been the whole weekend and I still have some of a week to go. We are having fun just sitting around talking and relaxing. Here are some pictures of our adventure...

Kim and Suzie.

Ella (Suzie's), Jake (cousin) and Collin (Suzie's). Apparently going to chop down a tree in 7 degree weather is really funny.
The lumberjack, Matt. Nice work!
The finished product. How lucky were they to have their own personal photographer there while they were decorating their tree (it was me, in case you were wondering)! The Lee family (minus the baby...she was napping) in front of the newly decorated tree.

Some catching up...

2008-11-18T14:56:00.005-07:00

Brennon turned 8 and was baptized this fall. What a special day! Seems weird to have a kid old enough to be getting baptized. We had lots of friends come over after the baptism to have a big dinner in honor of Brennon. He was all grins that day.Brennon started playing TACKLE FOOTBALL this fall. He loved it. I was a little worried...but he did great!Savannah wore pigtails for the first time!! How cute is that?!?!?!Parker, Savannah and I went for a little lunch date with my sister, Tiffany, to Sveetsville Zoo. It is pretty awesome. All of the animals, aliens, cars, bugs, etc are made from scrap metal. This guy is talented. We had lunch there by the river, under the bug, and then looked around at all the cool sculptures. The boys LOVED it. And Savannah just loved running around outside.

Halloween season started out with a trip to the pumpkin patch with Parker's preschool. Pumpkins for $1...can't beat that!The carving began (of course right after I had mopped my floor). Parker was very serious this year about getting his pumpkin just right.Brennon actually touched the inside of his pumpkin without throwing up! That is a record.Savannah thought it was great to sit on the table and get "ucky".However, what she didn't think was so great was the actual dressing up for Halloween. Oh my, how she hated putting that costume on.See, still crying outside with Parker, aka...Spiderman.

She did understand that if she went to peoples' doors they would give her candy. She was ready and raring to go from house to house.

I have no pictures of Brennon this year because he went with his friend, Zach Watts. Are they allowed to think their friends are cooler at age 8??? He had a blast at a party and getting tons of candy with Zach.

My poor children

2008-11-10T19:58:00.002-07:00

Warning: Puke stories ahead...you have been warned, so now, read at your own risk.

About a week ago we went to my mom and dad's for dinner with the whole Stockdale clan. I took a "magic pill" 30 minutes before dinner and was feeling alright. I ate some roast and potatoes and I even braved a little bite of apple pie. The evening wears on and I start feeling worse and worse. Travis rounded up the kids and we head home. Of course, Travis hit every red light possible with me in the car saying, "Hurry up! I am doing everything in my power not to throw up all over the car." We get home, I change my clothes and run to the bathroom stall and shut the door. Lay on the floor for a couple minutes. Proceed to throw up. I hear Parker and Savannah out in my bathroom brushing their teeth. Then I hear Parker (talking to Savannah), "I really have to go potty. But, Mom is throwing up in that potty. So, I will go to the potty out there." Poor kid. That is no way to live.

So, tonight...wait, back up...last night (Travis is of course gallivanting in Dallas with his buddies) Brennon wakes up coughing his left lung up. Ugh! Stupid ASTHMA!!! So, between the hours of 12 am and 7 am I was up with him doing 3 breathing treatments. I am so tired today I wanna die. I felt horrible this morning. However, I had to time when I took my "magic pills" because I teach music class at 4pm and I had to be feeling good to do that. Needless to say, I didn't do so great this morning.

Now, on to tonight. I watched 'Journey to the Center of the Earth' with the boys for family night. They thought it was such a great movie. Savannah just ran around and was being silly. I took her in to go to the bathroom before I got her jammies on and I almost peed my pants because of what she did when she walked in the bathroom.

I took her pull up off and sent her naked little bum into the bathroom and I followed behind her. She ran over to the big potty (not her little potty like she usually does), put her hands on the side of the bowl, leaned over, stuck her head in the toilet and made who knows what awful sound and then spit in the toilet! She made her noise and spit in the toilet a few more times and then looked up at me and said, "Mommy, ucky!"

This will end soon right?!?!

Truly Ha-larious!!!

2008-11-04T18:59:00.002-07:00

1st doctor visit

2008-11-04T15:26:00.002-07:00

Yes, it is true. Baby #4 is on the way. I went to the doctor to get blood work and do all the paper filling out and all that stuff. Then last Monday (2 weeks later) I went to meet with the doctor for the first time. I have seen this doctor before. He delivered Parker and did my D&C after Parker. I have also seen his assistant for annual check ups. So, I am feeling like crap because I barf my brains out all day every day. The nurse comes out to get me and asks me if I am feeling alright. I said, "I've felt better." She said, "Yeah, it really looks like you are struggling." Okay, I had gotten up, gotten in the shower, dried my hair, gotten dressed AND put makeup on...I thought I was lookin like a million bucks...but apparently NOT!!

So, I weigh in and I am a couple pounds lighter than 2 weeks before. No big deal. She takes my blood pressure and I am freezing - goosebumps and the whole works. As time is going on I am feeling worse and worse. So, the doctor (PA) comes in and we talk, the normal stuff. She then proceeds to check me out...like feel my neck and throat... Anyone that knows me, knows I have a neck thing! I do not like my neck touched!! Period. Plus when I am already going to puke, having her push on my neck just made things worse. She starts listening to me breath and suddenly says, "You feel really hot! Are you okay?" Um, no. I think I am going to pass out. She catches me, lays me down on the table, runs for the trash can and goes to get the other nurse to come in and help. I then, very ladylike, puke my guts out.

Let's just say, I walked out of there (luckily, because she didn't want to let me go since I had driven myself) with a very nice prescription for "Magic Pills". She prescribed me Zofran 3x/day. I love them! It has cut the puking to once or twice a day, which is nice.

On my hiatus

2008-10-21T18:49:00.003-06:00

On my hiatus from blogging I have been busy. I have been trying to get my food storage together. In September my family and I canned salsa. It is sooooo good. And this last week I have been canning applesauce and jam. I also made dried apples in my dehydrator but they somehow got eaten already. Hmmmm...maybe Travis liked them. I only did 10 lbs of dried apples and he ate every last one of them! I also made my own fruit leather (like a fruit roll-up). Who knew I could be so domestic??

I also went down to the cannery in Aurora. My friend, Cami, and I took one of our neighbors who is getting into preparedness. We went down in his truck thinking we would have plenty of room to get all the stuff back. Little did we know he was going to buy out the entire cannery! Seriously, the bed of the truck was piled as high as the cab and filled the entire back of his truck. We had to make a few stops to rearrange and tie stuff down. What a trip!

Oh Sarah...

2008-10-21T08:15:00.003-06:00

So, this is Sarah Palin. Yes, the Sarah Palin that came visiting to Colorado. The one that I got tickets to go see!!! How fun is that?!?!? I went with 3 other ladies. We all got sitters set up for our kids and went down to the Budweiser Events Center with our tickets in hand. I have never been to anything like this, so I was very excited.

Can I just say...that people are crazy. People had been camped out in line since 6am (the rally started at noon and doors opened at 10:30am). Who camps out? Especially when you already have tickets?

Well, apparently I should have been camping out because...we didn't even get IN!!!!! I was angry deep down inside. I had a ticket, I should have gotten in. I didn't stand in line for 3 hours to be told I couldn't see Sarah. Come to find out, the Budweiser Events Center holds 8,000 people and they gave out 15,000 tickets. Tell me that doesn't make you mad! Why would you do that? Especially to a fellow mother who had to get a sitter for her kids. If anyone has any way to get in touch with Sarah...I would like you to tell her that I am upset.

After talking with the people in charge at the door we came to find that they were not at all prepared for the crowd that showed. They didn't have enough security to get people in the doors (hence the reason we were standing in line for so long). They only had 5 metal detectors for people to go through. Well, that is going to take a long time to get 8,000 people through. They said that they had never seen a crowd this size show for anything. They were flat out not prepared. Especially when the security had to be so tight.

So, I came home and taught my Let's Play Music class like a regular mom who didn't get to go see Sarah Palin.

Melt My Heart

2008-09-18T20:45:00.002-06:00

Two stories.

I had Parker in the car with me and we were taking Savannah to the doctor for her 18 month check up. Parker was very concerned with what the doctor was going to do to her and if she was going to have to get shots. I told him that the doctor would check to see how big she is and yes, she was indeed going to have to get shots. He thought for a while and then, "It's okay Babycakes. You have to get shots but you can be tough. And the doctor will see how big you are." (In his little talking to the baby voice.) However, he continued on and on and on telling her about the whole shot thing. Well, I finally had to put the kabosh on that. Quit talking about it. She will be fine! So, a few more minutes go by as he is thinking and obviously contemplating. Then I hear him in the back talking to her again..."It's okay Babycakes. The doctor is going to see how big you are. 'Cuz you are a big girl now. He will just check and see how big you are. And, I will get your shots for you." It did put a little tear in my eye. The fact that at the age of 4 he was trying to figure out how he could take the pain away from his little sister.

Brennon was doing a 'Where will you be in the year 2020' thing at school. So, he has to write a letter.

September 2020 finds me in Arizona on the basketball court. Playing for the Phinox Suns. I'am going to be with my teamats and family. Because I like to play basketball and for the money to help with the deseses and musculr disturifee.

Once again...the fact that at the age of 8 he is thinking of what he will be doing with his big money when he is older...and it involves trying to find a cure to help his grandpa! It just melts my heart!

It is things like this that make me wonder why I don't slow down and smell the roses a little more. I mean, come on, really, is it going to matter if the sink is clean and the floor vacuumed before I go to bed. (Well, a little, cuz then I wake up grumpy that I have to start out my day that way.) But, I could spend a few extra minutes talking with my kids and reading and just being. That is my challenge for the next week. Just enjoy and be.

First Day of School

2008-08-30T08:22:00.004-06:00

Well, it has started. Parker was very excited to start school at his "new school" ABC123. It is the preschool at the Windsor Gymnastics Academy. Parker started a day before Brennon so Brennon got to help send Parker off to his first day. Brennon really felt like he was the big older brother!!

Brennon started school the next day. He on the other hand...was not so happy to be waking up when the first number on the clock was a 6. (Hence, the lack of photos.)

He has to be out the door at 7:25 to catch the bus, which is pretty early for this little guy. However, he is loving school and really likes his teacher again this year. We are off to a good start!

Holy Crap!!!

2008-08-16T20:45:00.003-06:00

(No pun intended.)

So, I know I haven't posted in FOREVER...(I hate it when the rest of you don't post on at least a weekly basis). I have been on vacation and getting ready for school and my husband took my camera, etc.

However, today was a truly post worthy day. It all began with me asking Savannah if she wanted to pee on the big potty. Mind you, she just started walking at 16 months (she is now 18 months), so the thought of her peeing in the potty is quite amusing. We go in the bathroom and do the whole sit on the potty routine with no pee. Then she doesn't want her diaper back on. So, I go to the storage room and get the little potty and set it in the family room. I sat her on the little potty and Travis, being wonderfully supportive, says, "Okay, now why don't you go out and teach her how to ride a bike?" Whateva...

Two hours later she comes up from downstairs and finds me, points to her diaper and says, "Uhhhh, uhhhh, uhhh." I asked her if she needed to go on the potty and she ran right over to it. We sat down, she looked me in the eye and, drumroll please, peed in the potty!!! She got to have "cocate" (chocolate for those of you who don't speak Savannah) and we did a dance and jumped and clapped. It was the big to do!! And, I told Travis to...

Anyhow, a half hour later...she came to me again and this time...poo!! Who would have thought??? I don't know if I am ready for the whole potty training thing. There are not many things I hate as a mother, but potty training is one of them!! We will have to see how I feel tomorrow. I mean, she hasn't even gone to her first day of nursery at church yet! (She would have last week but I was home with her because she had hand, foot and mouth disease.)

I will let Travis leave his feelings about all of this potty stuff in the comment section.

I did it, Mom!!!

Oh, she was so proud of herself!

A trip down memory lane

2008-07-17T21:19:00.000-06:00

OK, I've seen this on a few friend's blogs lately. So I thought I'd give it a try...

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you.

Stockdale Reunion

2008-07-15T09:14:00.014-06:00

WARNING: super long post with lots of pictures...

The Stockdale reunions are always a big production. EVERYONE comes! That means a lot of people and a lot of fun. Organization is the key...so a couple months ahead of time every gets their assignments and the agenda goes out. This year we went back up to Franklin, Idaho. Instead of staying at the fancy (or maybe not so fancy) Preston Inn, all the Stockdales stayed at the Cub River Lodge. Accommodations were not quite what we thought we it said it "comfortably sleeps 100". With a "loft that sleeps 14" plus bedrooms downstairs how could you go wrong. Well, the loft...even the kids couldn't stand up in. If you lined up 14 sleeping bags I still don't know if you could fit 14. Our room was shared with Tiffany, Casey, Michelle, Natalie, Travis and me...oh, and Savannah. Well, we thought it was a room...but, one of the walls was just a curtain. hahahahaha. I can laugh about it now but at 12:30 am when Savannah was screaming like a crazy person I didn't think it was so funny. We had to take her for a drive to try and get things under control. I ended up sleeping and the air mattress with her upstairs on the floor of my parents room. Once we got through Friday night things got much, much better. The boys were so excited to be there with all the cousins. They all slept in the "loft" together and thought it was great. Other than being super hot.

Friday evening everyone got to the lodge and we had dutch oven spaghetti. Julie and Kerry cooked dinners. They are the dutch oven cookers...it is good!

Brennnon thought he was one of the big kids. He hung around all the cousins. I didn't see much of him throughout the whole weekend. Those kids just ran and played and ran and played and ran some more.

After dinner on Friday night we had a talent show. The kids that are in my Let's Play Music class did a little song on the bells. It was so cute!
Here is part of the Stockdale clan watching the talent show.

After the talent show we went out to watch fireworks and then came home and went to bed. Well, most people went to bed. I finally got Savannah calmed down and to sleep around 2:30am. But, rise and shine, Saturday morning is already here and there is no sleeping in. There was too much playing to be had. We had breakfast...pancakes, eggs, sausage, hash browns, oj, and milk!Then the kids played at the pool and in the hot tub. The hot tub was a hit. The kids spent hours in there. Don't worry. We turned the heat down so they wouldn't cook.

Brennon jumping in with one of the Liechty boys.Parker jumping in with Alex.

Savannah was all tuckered out from the night before. So, I put her in the stroller and took her for a walk. About 2 minutes into our walk she was already asleep. So, I took my book and chair and went down by Cub River. I covered her up and I read my book. With the sound of the rushing river and the cool breeze she slept for 2 hours.

We ate dinner and then headed to the farm to hike up to the rock quarry. My dad used to spend hours up on this part of the mountain. He told us stories of hunting rock chucks with his gun. Apparently they would burrow and eat the crops so he would go get them. Makes me a teensy bit nervous that he was Brennon's age hiking up a mountain with a gun!! When I was growing up, we would go to the farm every year and make the hike to the "Eagle's Nest" and rock quarry. We spent most of our time outside while we were there. It was fun to take the kids to see and do what I did as a kid. Here are a few pictures from there. We took the 4 wheelers to get my dad up to the quarry. It has been 10 years since he has been up there because he hasn't been able to get around. When he got up there his face lit up and he was like a little boy on Christmas morning!My dad and his brother Bud. Bud is 12 years older than him. They had one sister, Elaine, who was between the 2 boys. Unfortunately, her Alzheimer's is so bad she doesn't leave her house...so she wasn't able to come to the reunion.Yes we are going all the way to the top! (On the left side of the mountain.)Half way there!Travis took Savannah in the pack. It is not a super easy hike. Especially with an extra 20 lbs.We made it to the quarry. This rock quarry has a lot of meaning in our family. Not only is it a place where many hours were spent as children. But, the church came a took many tons of rock from here to build the Logan temple. All the decorative rock you see on the Logan temple is from the Stockdale quarry!It is gorgeous!!All the sisters at the quarry. Tiffany, Michelle, Natalie and me!Savannah went down the mountain with Grandpa on the 4 wheeler. That meant Travis had an empty backpack...so I filled it with rocks from the quarry!! We let each of the kids pick a couple of rocks to take home. Here is a view of the farm from up at the quarry.Savannah hung with Grandpa (her favorite person) while I went further up the hill with the boys to see the eagles' nest.

Pictures definitely cannot do it justice. There was no eagle this year. Every summer growing up there would be an eagle with its babies in this nest. It was very cool. The nest is huge...Parker was a little scared coming down from the nest. It is out on the side of the mountain. I was surprised he even went out to see it at all!

My dad telling stories and pointing things out to all us young ones in the Stockdale line. The sun was setting as we were getting ready to come down the mountain. What a beautiful site!!Sunday morning we cleaned the lodge and headed back to Colorado. It was a fun filled weekend but everyone was very, very tired and happy to be home.

On the road again...

2008-07-03T18:55:00.001-06:00

I just can't wait to get off the road again. We are on our way to Springville, UT to visit my friend, Kristin Drake. We only get to stay overnight but some is better than none. Tomorrow we make our way up to Cub River for the bi-annual Stockdale family reunion.

Of course, getting ready to go today Savannah had small fever. Nothing major...just enough to make her miserable! She has done pretty well for the most part. The boys were super excited to plug their gamecube into the car dvd and play that. They have been waiting for this road trip ever since we got the new car just so they could plug their gamecube in. I think they are realizing that the drive isn't quite as cool as they thought it would be. We have only stopped approximately 10 times for the boys to go poop. I don't know what they ate...but they sure won't be eating it on the drive back. Honestly!!

We are looking forward to seeing all the cousins and having lots of fun playing, playing, playing! I am sure I will have lots of pictures after the weekend is through.

It's not over...

2008-07-03T16:29:00.002-06:00

Oh my GOSH!!!!!!! I am going crazy. All I wanted was a loaf of bread out of the freezer in the storage room...and eeeeeeek...little mouse in the trap under the shelves. So, I called Travis and told him he needed to take care of things around here. Well, I went to the store and he got home from work and took care of it while I was gone.

Sidenote: If you refer to the comments on the last mouse post you will see that Travis mentioned something about him sneaking with the mice...

So, I get home from the store and ask him if he took care of it and he said yes. I also made sure he had reset the trap to catch the rest of those little suckers. As we are laying in bed last night we were talking about the mice. I was telling him how mad I was that they were back. He proceeds to smirk and tell me that there were others that I didn't know about. SEE HE IS SNEAKING AROUND WITH THE MICE!! He told me he already caught a mouse in the trap and put the trap back in the same spot so I wouldn't know. I was being invaded again and I didn't even know it!!! This is not good! It must stop!

To be continued...

Now that it is over...

2008-06-23T20:42:00.002-06:00

I think I can write about it.

I would not consider myself a "city girl"...however, I am not completely a "farm girl" either. I guess I like to live out in the country but not have the critters of the country in my house.

So, one night I thought I heard a little "scratchy-scratchy" coming from somewhere. Disregard...it is nothing. In the morning I opened the cupboard under my cooktop to get my mixer out and ...... don't throw up..... there was mouse poop everywhere!! Ugh!!! Then, I opened my pantry and a bag of chips was chewed through...and my powdered sugar had a hole in it. I freaked out and called my dad. It brought back horrible memories of when I was a teenager, being in my bedroom in the basement and hearing those stupid mice run back and forth, all night long, on the drop down ceiling. I HATE MICE!!!

Lucky for me, my dad came over with his mouse traps and got them all set. We put one in the pantry and one in the storage room downstairs. In the morning there was a mouse in the trap downstairs...and the peanut butter from the trap upstairs was missing...but no mouse in the trap! The next night, more of the same. Apparently, the mouse upstairs thought it was a party and he was super sneaky! How was he not getting caught?!?!? I then sent Travis to the store to get more traps and we finally caught the sneaky mouse upstairs as well as a few more in the basement.

We have been mouse free for a week now (and counting). The traps are still set.

P.S. I had a little breakdown in the middle of all of this. You would have too! We had just set the traps, the kids were in bed and I was sitting on the couch trying to enjoy my show, So You Think You Can Dance. When all of the sudden I heard "SNAP!!!" AND THEN "SCRATCH, FLOP, FLOP, FLOP!" I waited a couple of minutes and then went in the bedroom and spazzed out on Travis. I told him he needed to go take care of the mouse RIGHT NOW and GET THEM ALL THE FREAK OUT OF MY HOUSE!!!!

Finally...pictures

2008-05-29T15:13:00.007-06:00

The start of our adventure.Savannah in the pack. She loved being outside the whole day. Ethan (3) thought it was the funniest thing in the whole wide world. He looked right at me and said, "Where baby go?" I said, "On my back. In the baby backpack." Ethan: "Whaaaat? Hahahahahahaha. Baby IN da BACKPACK?!?!?! Hahahahahahahaha!!"
The boys.
The girls. We are always so outnumbered!!

Family photo op... Too bad Travis was golfing instead of with us. It was great hike. He will be with us next time. We had to take a snack break 1/2 way up. We stopped at this little bridge that had a little creek running under it. The kids thought this was the waterfall and they were totally disappointed. Little did they know...
It was a little windy...and the baby had crazy hair!
We hiked up to the waterfall and the kids thought it was a blast! They were all wet and cooled off after this stop. The fall is not super huge right now. It dries up as the spring and summer go on.
Parker (4), Justin (6), Brennon (7), and Tyler (10).

No, Ethan...don't fall in. He was just thirsty...needed a little sip. Parker thought he was so big climbing up the "GIANT" rocks like the other kids.
Savannah eating a little snack (well, all of my snack) with Uncle Casey.Whew!!! That was a long hike. We needed a little nap.

Monday

2008-05-26T20:59:00.002-06:00

This morning began with the annual Windsor Ward Pancake Breakfast. It is great to know that we fed over 600 people today. Many of them being volunteers helping in the clean up.

It was a much slower day than yesterday, as far as clean up goes. I think people just needed a little break. When I drove down to that part of town yesterday the traffic was at a stand still. I think it was due mostly to people driving by and taking pictures....not to the people actually helping in the work. However, today there was very little traffic. Parker has been asking for a couple of days to see his school. When the tornado first hit and he saw his school on tv he just could not imagine that this really happened. It must be just pretend! Not so.

So, today I took Parker for a drive. On the way to his school we drove by many of the homes that had been worked on yesterday. It brought me to tears seeing that after things had been picked up the owners took the time to spray paint a THANK YOU on what was left standing of their home. I drove by a few homes who were so grateful. It is great for the people helping to know that the owners really do have great gratitude for the work being done.

We got to the road of Parker's school and he became very quiet. We parked across the street and just stared. We sat for a few minutes and then I asked Parker if he was ready to go. He said, "No, not yet. Can I just look at it for a little bit more?" Okay. So we sat for a few more minutes. He was still not ready to go. There was no noise...just a somber feeling in the car. After about 6 or 7 minutes of just sitting, the next thing out of my 4 year old Parker's mouth was, "Can we just go help all of these people, Mom?" What a tender heart! Again, a few tears in my eyes. It has been hard to keep my eyes dry this week. He wanted to get out right then and there and start helping. He did not understand why little kids couldn't help. Then he said that if he couldn't help then Brennon could help because he was bigger. I think seeing the damage first hand really had an effect on my boys.

Like I said before, no picture or video can do this justice.

Help with Relief

2008-05-26T20:56:00.001-06:00

The latest report of help that is coming....

Gov. Bill Ritter said Monday that President Bush has approved Colorado's request for federal disaster aid after tornadoes tore through northern Colorado last week.

Ritter signed a request Saturday for federal disaster assistance for the damage to homes, farms and businesses. Members of Colorado's congressional delegation asked Bush to approve federal aid. "I want to thank President Bush and the Federal Emergency Management Agency for their rapid response to our request for aid, especially over this holiday weekend," Ritter said in a written statement.

The president's federal disaster declaration will allow state and local agencies to expedite the recovery already under way.

The tornadoes and storms that struck between noon and 1:30 p.m. Thursday killed one person and destroyed or damaged hundreds of homes and vehicles. Livestock was killed, crops were damaged and rail cars and tractor-trailers were toppled.

Ritter said roughly 850 residences were damaged, including 78 that were destroyed and 228 that suffered major damage. "The magnitude of the disaster put it beyond the reach of local and state agencies to effectively respond without the assistance of the federal government," Ritter said.

The president's decision makes federal funding available to people in Larimer and Weld counties.

Word from Travis

2008-05-25T21:23:00.000-06:00

I went out for 6 hours on Friday to help, and then another 6 hours today. It is crazy! I can't believe how much got done over the last three days. I spent all day today in the area where the majority of the damage was done. The 3 stakes around here all had one hour of church, and a number of the wards cancelled church so everyone could help. This morning we all met at 9am and there were 500 people just from our church. The hardest part is getting to a home, and not knowing where to start. We are suppose to pile everything that is ruined out on the side of the street so dump trucks can haul it all away, but it is so overwhelming when you first get there. The piles can be 2 feet thick of debris and blown in insulation. It is weird, you just have to start picking up a few pieces at a time otherwise it seems insurmountable. Anyways, I think a number of people are going out tomorrow again. It is awesome to see 20 people at a time work on a house, and in an hour, accomplish more than that family would have been able to do in a week. They have all been so grateful for the help.

Video

2008-05-25T21:18:00.003-06:00

I think this link will work. We will try. This is some video footage from cnn. Hopefully soon I will have my video uploaded and you can see what I saw with my camera.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/05/22/colorado.tornado.video/index.html#cnnSTCVideo

All of the clips are from the Windsor tornado.

What is going on????

2008-05-25T21:14:00.002-06:00

I have been in contact tonight with my best friend in MN, Suzie. (A little recap...people called us twins in highschool and our lives seem to run parallel.) So, she calls me and says, "Seriously, our lives and everything have to be the same all the time. But, where does it end?" She then proceeded to tell me that a tornado just struck her little town of Hugo, MN ripping right through her neighborhood. It is really bad. Being in the midst of it all right now, I just can't bear to think that they are all going through it over there. A 2 yr old boy has been killed and 20 others are unaccounted for. The story is still developing because it just happened a couple hours ago. What is going on with the tornadoes this spring.

Sunday night

2008-05-25T20:38:00.003-06:00

We had a very somber service at church today. Fittingly enough the topic assigned to speak on was JOY. A topic that was assigned before the tornado hit. And the children were also previously assigned to sing the rest hymn...we sang 'If the Savior Stood Beside Me'. It was very fitting for the day. There were a lot of tears.

We had a little meeting after church in the gym. We discussed logistics of what was happening and what was going to happen. We are still having our annual Memorial Day pancake breakfast at Main Park here in town tomorrow...however, we are posting a notice at the rec center and it will be for the entire town of Windsor instead of for just our ward.

After church was done I went over and met Travis in the previously quarantined area. The clean up was under way. It is amazing and the pictures and video DON'T EVEN come close to really showing the devastation. There is nothing that can do it justice except for being there yourself. My heart was aching for those people.

As you look around the neighborhood you think, how are we ever going to get this cleaned up? You start on a house and feel so overwhelmed. Where do you even start? And, it is literally being done, branch by branch, and one piece of lumber at a time. As our crews went through the neighborhood they went door to door, not skipping any houses. They would then report back and inform the base camp of which homes they helped clean up and which homes did not have owners home, and which homes they couldn't help clean up because insurance hadn't been there yet. If an owner was home the help would begin. Travis said that the owners were looking lost. They didn't know what needed to be done to get started even. So, they would start with the trees and work their way in. Pack up boxes in the house of stuff that could be salvaged to take to storage. After an hour or two and having a single home done they would move on to the next home. It was humbling and touching to see the owner of the first home join the crew and move on and help with the next home. And after that home was mostly done...the second owner would join with the first owner and they would both help the crew with the next home. They did not stop after their homes were under control. It is so great to see the good of humanity. How tired and exhausted those home owners must have been. Physically and mentally. But they just kept working.

I helped for a couple of hours and then crews started going home around dinner time. I don't know what the work story is for tomorrow.

Here is a picture of the actual tornado coming in. Crazy!

That is one big tornado!

Sunday morning

2008-05-25T10:13:00.002-06:00

Yesterday was a day spent visiting sites and assessing the damage. After getting reports from all of the members a plan was made and the work will begin today. Cell phones were ringing off the hook yesterday. I tease my neighbor, Eric (EQ Pres.) when he answers the phone. I call and ask if I have reached the "Command Center". He was spent last night. The day started with getting chainsaws ready. The church (Salt Lake) sent over 10 brand new chainsaws. See...the church ALWAYS knows what you need. Even our little town of Windsor!! So, they got the saws ready and then began with the planning. They were working until late last night.

Today they got started at 9:30. Travis went over with Eric. I am going to church, only sacrament at 11am. Which, by the way, the primary is singing 'If The Savior Stood Beside Me'. How appropriate! I do think the Savior was standing by us on Thursday. Then my sister, Michelle, is going to take my kids for the rest of the day so I can go in and actually help in the work. I will report later tonight.

May 24th

2008-05-24T15:09:00.002-06:00

I can't believe how much work the guys got done at Main Park yesterday. I just drove by there and it is completely cleared of all the trees and debris! It was a total mess, like you couldn't even see the grass there was so much stuff strewn about. Little side note you are not hearing on the news. It was the last day of school on Thursday, so all the kids were having their end of the year parties. The middle school was at Main Park when the tornado ripped through there. They filled the bathrooms with as many kids as they could but there was not enough room for everyone. So, some of them were out in the storm. A friend of ours, a 12 yr old who comes to Travis' activities each Wednesday, was out in the storm. He has bruises all over his back from being hit with the baseball size hail. He was holding on to a pole for dear life during the tornado. How crazy! And, not a single one of those hundreds of kids were killed or critically injured.

I just spent a couple hours helping where I could. Travis was home with my kids and the neighbor's kids while Cami and I went to make 100 lunches for the people working and the families devastated. While we were there we divided up our ward list and called every member of our ward to get another report of how each family was doing. The reports could be so much worse. Sad, but we really are so blessed. It is amazing how our town has come together. There are so many people wanting to help. It is great.

They have opened up a small part of the quarantined part of town for a few authorized people to go in. Eric, my neighbor, is there right now. He said it is the worst thing he has ever seen. Personal items are thrown everywhere and everything is ruined. They are opening up the rest of town later tonight. So, the real work is going to begin tomorrow. How heart wrenching to go back to your home and see it completely destroyed. I can't even begin to imagine how those families are feeling. We will be having only an hour of church tomorrow so that everyone can continue to help.

I will post again when I know more.

The Day After...

2008-05-23T13:49:00.005-06:00

Things are hitting home right now. I couldn't sleep last night just thinking of all of those mother's with their babies and families misplaced from this tornado. I talked to my neighbor, Cami, this morning and tears were flowing. It is so sad! Hearing more and more of what happened now that it is over...it is crazy.

Parker's school was hit and miraculously they were able to get 130 kids out of there. I thought they were out before the tornado hit...but that is not the case. They gathered everyone in the gym and then the tornado struck. They were all inside when that building got ripped apart! After the hit they smelled gas and that is when they got all the kids out and over to the bank vault. How scary!!

Travis was out this morning and afternoon helping where he could in the clean up. They are not allowed to go into any of the homes and salvage anything yet. So, they were put to work cleaning up debris of hundreds of trees that were down. Chainsaws and dump trucks have been running all day long.

And...there is another tornado warning for here until 5pm. Crazy what weather can do. Until later...

Surreal

2008-05-22T22:43:00.006-06:00

Today has been quite a surreal day. The "Mile Wide Tornado" went right through our little town of Windsor. There are not many people in our little town and tonight over 1,500 of them are without a warm, cozy bed and home to sleep in. I don't know how we got so lucky...but we did. You can see right where the tornado clipped our neighborhood.

The day started out with me sending Brennon of to his last day of school. Then I took the 2 little kids to my mom's to drop off some chocolate chip banana bread on my way to the store. I got to my parents' and we visited and then my dad needed some help in the yard and my mom had to go to a quick meeting. So, we went out in the yard and it started raining a bit. My mom called and said she would be back in 20 minutes so to leave the kids and they could play with her instead of me dragging them in the rain.

I went to the store and came back to find them in the basement. My neighbor, Cami, called me and asked if our houses were okay. I did not know what was going on. Windsor does not have tornado sirens (like in MN...you KNEW when a tornado was coming). Turned on the news and saw the devastation. Parker says, "That is my school. What happened?" His school was on the news and the playground was ripped to shreds! Yesterday was his last day of school. I am so thankful for that.

If my mom had not called and watched the kids I would have been headed back home from the store with my kids, down Main Street in Windsor, right during the thick of the tornado. Who knows what would have happened to me. This tornado picked a train right up off of its wheels and off the track, for crying out loud!

As the day went on I was very unsettled. Travis was in Denver and Brennon was still at school in Windsor. I could not get through to the school to find out what was going on. They had the schools on lock down so no one could come or go. I did not like the feeling of my family being scattered during a time of crisis. I worked in a school and had lock downs and the whole bit. I know the teachers are trained and take very good care in situations like this...but a teacher is not the same as a mom. And...it didn't make me feel any better knowing that Brennon was 'safe' at school. The pictures and video on the news just kept getting worse. I was in touch with my neighbor all day off and on. She came back to the house and checked on things. Both of our houses seemed untouched. Which is a miracle considering right across the street homes and barns were leveled. Not to mention the dozens and dozens of 100 year old trees that were completely uprooted. My neighbors camper was crushed and they lost the back half of their store on Main Street.

The roads were shut down so you could not get into Windsor. Emergency crews and Search and Rescue were the only ones able to get into town. Around 3pm Brennon's teacher called me from her cell phone to let me know the kids could be picked up from school. The buses would not be running because of the damage, but they had lifted the lock down and our kids could come home. Problem. I can't get into town. I had to call my neighbors, Cami & Eric, and he (bless his heart) went and picked Brennon up from school. They kept him until I could get out there. As I drove to get Brennon I couldn't believe what I saw. It is the stuff you see in other places and not where I live. Homes leveled to the ground. Fences ripped apart. Trees everywhere, including on houses. Campers and RV upside down. Storefronts completely ripped off. Roofs missing. Etc. And, seriously, I had water in my garage and insulation from someone else's house spattered on my garage. We lost power for a few hours but got it back fairly quickly. How blessed can we be? I need to be able to call someone and tell them I have a bed for a family to sleep on and food to feed them. I feel guilty (and extremely grateful) to sit here and not be using my blessings to help someone who needs my help!

The first Presidency of our church called from Salt Lake and wanted the update from our ward on the members. Our bishop met with the Elder's Quorm President (my neighbor, Eric) and the Young Men's President to try and make a plan of action and gather all the information. Many ward families were displaced and one that we know of for sure completely lost their home. Another lost their business and that is where the clean up efforts are going to start tomorrow.

I will keep you updated on what is happening here. Keep these families in your prayers!

I have included some pictures of a bit of the aftermath. These first 2 pictures are Parker's school. It is amazing they were able to get 130 kids out of there and completely safe...no injuries.

Parker says he is "very sad for my playground, Mom!"

The remaining pictures are other devastation. I am sure you will be amazed.

Mother's Day

2008-05-13T19:15:00.003-06:00

Yea...I got such an awesome gift for mother's day...and no...it wasn't another trip to MN (although I would have liked that too).

First of all, a little recap to get you caught up. During basketball season I taped one of Brennon's games and we watched it and it was fun. Then the next week I brought my video camera (which we got from my parents as a gift 8 years ago) to the game and I was all ready to tape. However, I turned it on and it wouldn't do anything. I was getting an error message. So, I looked in the back of the manual and there are 'exactly 57' (hahahaha...refer to last post) error messages and it tells you what to do to fix them. Well, the one error message I was getting...there is no fix...you have to take it to a local dealer. Whatever!!! I tried everything to get it to work again. Travis on the other hand thinks I "conveniently" broke it so I could get a new one.

So, on with mother's day. I got a new video camera! It is a hybrid camcorder, so you can tape to the hard drive or a dvd or take still pictures on the SD memory card! Then you can edit and combine and do all sorts of cool stuff and put it on a dvd right from the camera. (At least, that is what the book tells me. I have been working with it all day trying to get stuff to the computer and I must be retarded. No comments from the peanut gallery.) So, as soon as I get this all figured out you will get the live videos straight from the Seyboldt household.

Quick

2008-05-06T16:06:00.002-06:00

I haven't posted in a while. Things here have been crazy since I got home from MN. Just a quick peek at what is going on.

While writing on my wall calendar for May I had to write 'last day of school' already! *sad*
Savannah got pink eye (drops 4 times a day...fun for a 15 month old) and she is also being treated with breathing treatments for RSV.
Brennon got in big trouble and has had to wear nice (church) clothes to school everyday this week. He said exactly 57 people made fun of him on Monday.
I got pink eye.
We went hiking and as soon as I get the pictures from my sister I will post them. It was awesome and beautiful and so much fun.
I got a new car. Ford Expedition Limited EL! I love it.
It snowed big, huge, gargantuane, snowflakes here on May 1st! I thought MN was bad.
It is finally feeling like spring this week.

I will elaborate on some of these activities when I have more time. But, that will have to do for now.

MN

2008-04-26T17:25:00.002-06:00

So, right now I am in good ole Minnesota and having a great time. I flew out to see my best friend, Suzie Lee, for my birthday present! However, much to my dismay, I woke up this morning to an inch of snow on the ground. Where does it snow at the end of April???? Minnesota.

I hope the boys and baby are doing alright back in Colorado. Things were a little crazy around there when I left. Two boys sick and home from school and one baby who could sense I was leaving and was upset all Thursday afternoon.

Fishing

2008-04-21T19:00:00.003-06:00

Tonight Parker and Savannah were sitting at the bar eating dinner with a side of rainbow goldfish crackers. I was cutting up some pineapple and strawberries when I hear Parker talking and talking and talking...either to himself or to Savannah. All of the sudden he sticks his hand in the bag of goldfish and says, "I'm goin' fishin' and I'm gonna catch A LOT of fish, baby!"

Love, Hate

2008-04-20T09:36:00.002-06:00

Baby LOVES corn on the cob with Grandpa... Baby HATES to wear tights... (me too) She would much rather put them around her neck than on her legs!

Spring

2008-04-20T09:26:00.005-06:00

My view is part of why I love living "in the country" (as my family calls it...I think, they think, if you live more than 5 minutes away from Sam's club you live in the country).

I am so sick of it being 70º and then snowing and hurricane wind conditions the next day! We are ready for it to be nice all day every day. It was great weather the other day and we spent the whole day outside. Parker got a kite and thought it was the funniest thing when it would flap really hard in the wind. We played basketball and pickleball and even the baby came in the grass for a second. She quickly learned how to climb up on to the patio to get out of that pokey grass.

Curly Red

2008-04-20T09:21:00.002-06:00

Well, it looks like I got my curly haired girl. (Especially right after a bath.) Travis gave Savannah a bath the other night and he couldn't believe how long her hair was when he was washing it. It just doesn't seem that long because it is all curled up! I love it!

Poop

2008-04-16T21:12:00.002-06:00

Yes, you read correctly...this post is about poop. If I was single and had no kids people would think I was crazy posting about poop. However, because I am married and have 3 kids, it is totally appropriate for me to post about poop.

Savannah made her pooping debut on the potty tonight. Yes, you read correctly again. Pooping on the potty. She doesn't walk (at 14 1/2 months), but she can poop in the potty?!?!? I was giving her her daily bath and all the sudden I see her lean forward and get "the face". I grabbed her out of the tub and sat her on the potty and sure enough...plop, plop, plop! I don't think we will be buying and frilly panties just yet. But it made me laugh that she pooped in the potty.

I yelled to Brennon to come in the bathroom. I said, "Brennon, baby just pooped in the potty." Brennon said, "Nu-ugh. That wasn't the baby!" I don't know whose poo he thought it was but I just had to laugh.

Happy Hopper

2008-04-12T20:27:00.003-06:00

This made me laugh...

I finally just had to stop recording. I shut off the camera and she just kept jumping and hollering. She was so easily entertained this day. If only I could contain my other kids and have them be this happy...

I will pray for you...

2008-04-10T14:02:00.002-06:00

Today is Thursday. And every Thursday I go to the gym with my dad and my sister (we go other days too, but today is a story about Thursday). Parker and Savannah play in the childcare with their cousin, Ethan. Then, after we are done working out we meet my mom at Sam's Club for a gourmet lunch and weekly shopping. We have done this for months. However, today I feel like crap! I have come down with a wicked cold and don't feel well at all. I have a hat on and am in my workout pants at Sam's because I just got done working out (if you can call it that today...I was wiped out).

So, today (mom didn't come because she is visiting her family back in Maryland) we eat lunch and then proceed to shop. Of course, "I want this. I want that. Mom, can we buy this." Those comments all the way through the store are to be expected. So, I ended up with some plastic Easter eggs filled with candy that I didn't really need (well, 2 of them actually, because Parker wanted the camouflage ones but he said, "the baby really needs these pink ones"...and I am a sucker.)

Alright, over to get the bread and the potatoes and milk and eggs. I have Savannah in the front of the cart. However, she is turned completely around in the seat to see what Parker and Ethan were doing. She found my drink and proceeded to pull the straw out and fling diet coke everywhere. As this is going on, I am just trying to get some darn potatoes. Parker and Ethan are both hanging on the side of the cart acting like monkeys. A man, a really nice man, walks up to me, looks me straight in the eyes, puts his hand on my shoulder and says, "I will pray for you!"

Now what do you say to that?!?!? I of course told him, "Thank you...I obviously need all the prayers I can get." I am a complete disaster and should not have gotten out of bed today!!

Colorado Allergy and Asthma Center

2008-04-08T19:48:00.003-06:00

Today I was very excited to be able to pin point what is making Savannah miserable when she eats. We went to visit Dr. John James at the Colorado Allergy & Asthma Center. We were there for about 2 hours. We talked over Savannah's history (reflux, hospitalization, meds, etc) and then we went over what she is eating and what I am trying to stay away from that I "think" is making her tummy hurt. So, we decided to do a skin test for dairy (a couple dairy things), eggs, all the different grains, potatoes, peanuts, bananas, and yeast. There were 13 things we were testing for as well as 2 histamine pricks and 1 saline prick. So, that is a lot of pricking!

They wrote numbers (instead of writing the whole word...peanut, etc) on her back to correlate with the proteins they were testing with. Then, on each of the numbers they pricked her back with a little blue 'pricker' which put the protein under a couple layers of skin. Yes, we had to do this 16 times. She did so good. I really couldn't have asked for her to be any better. The nurse said that usually the little ones won't even sit still for her to write the numbers on their backs. Savannah just laid her little head on my shoulder and scratched her tummy (she scratches like a crazy person when I take her shirt off...due to allergies...we think. Her skin is soooooo dry!!) while the nurse wrote on her back and started pricking. The last 5 pricks she didn't like so much. She was squirming and fussing at this point. She wanted to be DONE! Then we waited for 15 minutes for everything to take effect.

The doctor came back in and 'read' her back. Hmmmm, guess what?!?!?!?! NO FRIGGIN' WAY!!!! Not a single thing came back positive!! Ugh!! FRUSTRATING!!!! The doctor reassured me that if the symptoms are happening on a consistent basis she is probably allergic. This skin test just rules out the immediate immune reaction. Of course, we can't have the easy way to find out what is going on. It is me we are talking about. Now, I have to do a food journal (in all my spare time). I have to write down what she eats and her symptoms or reactions to all the food. We do this for about a month and go back and see the doctor again at the end of April. Doctor said that kids can have an intestinal allergy to things. Which is what he suspects with Savannah. Especially with her history of screwed up insides. So, another interesting thing he said was that we may retest her reflux stuff. He is concerned that she may have developed esphogities, which is the wearing away of the esphogial lining due to the severe reflux.

For now, food diary and revisit at the end of April. See what foods are causing the problems and take them out of her diet for 2 weeks. Then those foods that were problematic we will reintroduce again after the 2 weeks and see if there is the same reaction. Then we have pin pointed what it is. At that point we will talk again about her reflux and making sure that is under control and not causing unseen problems on her insides.

Wish me luck!!

Nudist Colony

2008-04-02T16:10:00.002-06:00

I am beginning to think that the people in the nudist colony up the road a 1/2 mile from where we lived in Tucson are not weird...just smarter than the rest of us. I am thinking this as I am doing laundry (yet again) and realizing that my husband comes home from Dallas tonight and will just fill those dirty clothes baskets right on up. It will be as if I haven't worked all day to get them empty! I HATE it. Those nudists can be done, I mean really done, with laundry for at least a day. I finish the laundry just knowing that when we go to bed it is beginning to pile again! So, I guess what I am saying is, if you see me running naked it is not because I am okay with the shape of my body right now...it is for no other reason than because I wanted to feel what it was like to REALLY be done with all the laundry.

You are a TOOL!

2008-03-23T22:02:00.004-06:00

So, this morning Brennon was having a melt down. (I know nobody else's kids have melt downs like this so I am in the process of trying to figure out where I went wrong.) We get in the car and start driving to church, Brennon is still crying. He is mad about his tie "totally choking and squeezing" his neck, and his "belt with his shirt tucked in doesn't feel good". So, the following conversation took place...

Dad: You boys look so handsome!

Mom: It is so nice to have you not looking so disheveled.

Brennon still crying.

Dad: Hey, Mom just said you look like a shovel.

Brennon still crying cracks a smile he doesn't want to crack.

Dad: Wait, no, she said you look like a rake.

Parker: points at Brennon -- Brennon, you are a TOOL!!

Mom starts laughing so hard she is crying. Dad laughing so hard. Parker thinking he is really funny now even though he has no idea why what he just said is so funny. And Brennon, well he was just crying even more!

Easter

2008-03-23T21:36:00.004-06:00

We had a little breakfast and Easter activity for the kids at church about a week ago. After things were all done I asked Brennon to watch Savannah (she was just scootin' around the gym) for a minute while I helped someone with a little something. I came back to find Savannah looking like the following picture. I asked Brennon what happend. "She got a piece of chocolate. Well, I shared a piece of chocolate with her and she liked it. But, MOM, she got SOOOO messy." Yeah, ya think?!?!

We were ready for Easter this morning. Parker was in the Easter spirit and ready to go. We did a little egg hunt this morning and then went to church. After church we had a big dinner at Grandma/Grandpa Stockdale's and the kids did another big egg hunt. We watch a movie about Christ and at lots of yummy desserts. It was an all around great day.

Handsome boys!!

Pretty baby girl!! Don't kid yourself...as soon as she sat down she ripped the bow right out of her hair. And, she was kinda mad about have such a big dress on, not to mention the tights and shoes she kept trying to pull off.We were so lucky to have wonderful weather. It was long sleeved shirt weather! Last night it snowed and was so cold. You would never guess that this morning there was 1/2 in of snow on the ground. Turned out to be a beautiful, sunny day. The kids ran around out there all afternoon.

The hunt at Grandma's begins!
Even baby got some eggs. She ran around on dad's shoulders to find hers.
After finding a few eggs Savannah sat on the porch and put them in her basket and took them out, put them in, took them out, put them in, took them out....figured out they made noise when she hit them together...put them in, take them out, hit them, put them in, take them out.....

We are so lucky to be able to live by grandma/grandpa, aunts, uncles and cousins! The kids have a blast (minus the eggs thrown by cousins to make goose eggs on Brennon's head). I love to be able to give them the opportunity to grow up with extended family. I didn't have that growing up...it is so neat to see the friendships and bonds that have been made with the kids and the cousins/gma/gpa/aunts and uncles. We are so blessed to have the gospel in our lives and have the knowledge of eternal families. Eternity is a long time...so I guess we had better enjoy each other's company!!!

Tagged

2008-03-07T20:39:00.010-07:00

Kristin did this to me...

"The rules:
1) Link to the person that tagged you.
2) Post the rules on your blog.
3) Share six non-important things/habits/quirks about yourself.
4) Tag at least three people at the end of your post and link to their blogs.
5) Let each person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.
6) Let the 'fun' begin!"

I really don't know what this is all about beings I am new to the blogging world. But if you wanna know 6 non-important things about me....here ya go.

1. I got a 'new do' today...

2. I love chocolate covered pretzels...

3. I just finished my first science fiction book. Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card. I am not a sci-fi person AT ALL but this book wasn't too bad. I actually liked it at the end.

4. I get lots and lots of cavities when I am pregnant.

5. I have a chocolate soy protein drink for breakfast every morning.

6. One of my favorite things to do is to fall asleep at night (in my adjustable tempurpedic bed...no I am not 90 years old...I just act like it) watching tv or reading a book.

So now I tag...

Melissa

Emily

Megan

I hope that makes you happy girls! hahaha

Rocket Math

2008-03-07T20:16:00.004-07:00

In second grade one of the things Brennon has to do daily is practice "Rocket Math". Drill those math facts! So, since Parker is in school he tells us that he needs to practice his 'rocket math'. Travis made Parker his own sheet and the kids practice. Gotta say...they are both getting pretty smart.He passed...can you tell?????Parker concentrates so hard when he is doing his math.

Not too shabby for a 4 year old...wouldn'tcha say???

New tricks

2008-03-07T20:07:00.006-07:00

Here is the latest and greatest of the Savannah tricks.

Rolling over...(and temper tantrum)...
She wasn't quite sure what to do when put on her back until I said roll over. For almost 13 months now she has been like a turtle. Put her on her back and she is stuck. But now she can flip right over and try to get away every time I change her diaper!!!

Standing up...

Drinking out of a sippy cup...

Ice Cream

2008-03-05T15:16:00.002-07:00

I had ice cream for breakfast yesterday morning. And, to make matters worse, I didn't even go to the gym! Oh, quit judging...you have done it too!!!

Doctor

2008-02-27T16:08:00.002-07:00

We went to see Dr. Simmons for Savannah's 1 year well check. And...the misery of the week previous was 'nothing'. Just like I thought. Apparently, there have been a couple of viruses going around that are like roseola but a little different. The kids get a fever and a rash but the fever isn't as high. Sounds to me like that is what Savannah had. It could have come from anywhere. The gym, 2 boys in school, church, etc. She HATES (yes truly hates) going to the doctor. As soon as we get her on that table it is screaming, crying, throwing her head back, arching her back madness. (Doctor says that comes from the mother's side...but I beg to differ.) She checked out just fine. The doctor laughed at the way she gets around, but whatever. She gets to what she wants.

She weighed in at 18 lbs 7 oz. And, she is 27 1/2" long. Let's see...that puts her...

7% for height and 10% for weight!~

Who has kids this small?!?!??! My 2 boys were in the 95-99% in everything until they were 3! If I'm gonna have a petite one it might as well be the little girl. She can't even be forward facing in her carseat yet. She is almost 13 months. It is very convenient to be able to just pick up the carrier and take Parker into school instead of having to unbuckle the baby and buckle her back in. I do not like the stage when the baby still falls asleep in the car all the time but they are forward facing so you have to unbuckle and wake them up. So, this tiny girl thing isn't so bad. We will check back in a few months and see if she is heavy enough to flip.

What do you want to be?

2008-02-21T12:53:00.002-07:00

Travis was talking with the boys before bed. The discussion turned to, "What do you want to be when you grow up." Brennon is always asking me, "Mom, what do you want to be? But you can't say a Mom or a teacher. If you couldn't be those things what would you be?" So, Travis asked the boys that question the other night.

Brennon, of course, wants to be an NBA player. But if he can't do that then he would play in the NFL. That doesn't surprise me at all.

Parker on the other hand...he wants to be a police man. But, "not a police man that gets the bad guys. Just the police man who gives tickets. And not the one in the car. The police man that rides on the motorcycle so I can hide in the bushes."

There you have it folks!

P.S. Just earlier this week I was driving in the car with Brennon (he was sitting in the middle of the back seat)...

B: Mom what do you want to be? But, not a mom or a teacher.

M: Hmmmmm, I don't know.

He looks at me with a smile.
B: I know. You should be a supermodel.

M: Do you think I am pretty enough to be a supermodel?

B: *sigh* Yeaaaah, Mom! Sure you are.

I was thinking what a nice boy I have. And, a minute or so goes by.

Brennon sitting forward looking into the front seat...
B: Mom, why do thighs get fat?

Ughhhhhhh....apparently...I am in no shape to be a supermodel. So, don't go looking for me on the cover of any magazines anytime soon.

Parker's quote of the week

2008-02-21T12:44:00.002-07:00

Parker is so funny he is always making us laugh. For example...

watching t.v. the other day...

Parker says: That guy is bald.

Mom: Yup, he sure is.

P: That guy is bald. So, I don't know where his forehead is.

M: Why?

P: He doesn't have any hair.

M: No, he doesn't have any hair. You are right. Do you know where his hair is supposed to go?

P: Yeah, on his head somewhere. But, I don't know where. So, I don't know where his forehead is.

A couple days later (watching t.v.)...

P: That guy is bald.

M: Yup.

P: Can he think?

Oh my gosh!!! Does it get any funnier than that?!?!?!?!?!

Sleepless nights

2008-02-20T14:43:00.002-07:00

I need a vanilla diet coke from Sonic SOOOOOOOOOO bad right now! It has been almost an entire week of sleepless nights. I don't think I can take one more night. Savannah has had a fever and been super lathargic and crabby since last Friday. I am not sure if it is just the combination of teething and a cold or if there is something the matter. I take her in to the doctor tomorrow for her 1 year "well" check-up. However, she is not very well.

Why have I not taken her into the doctor sooner you ask? Well, because the last time she didn't sleep through the night and had a 102º fever I took her to the urgent care (of course, it was on a weekend) only to have them tell me there was nothing wrong. I was convinced she had an ear infection because she would scream every time I layed her down and she wouldn't sleep. After I got home Travis asked me what the diagnosis was. I told him nothing. He looked at me sideways and said, "What?" I KNOW!!! Not one time have I ever been wrong. Oh, this experience at the urgent care shook my motherly intuition to the bone. I have 3 children and every time I think there is something wrong, there is something wrong...and it is usually worse than I thought it was. So, this time...to be wrong?!?!?! What am I to do now? So, that is why I have been waiting to take her to the doctor until our scheduled visit.

That doesn't make the nights any easier. Mom's are always supposed to make things better. Even now I call my mom and she can make things better! Why can I not make Savannah better...even with holding her? She is such a pair of crabby pants right now. After talking with my mom and discovering a bunch of red dots all over her belly I am pretty sure she has roseola. Last night, the screaming and the wiggling and the throwing her head back until 3 in the morning. Don't kid yourself, that was one of the earliest nights I have been to bed this week. I set her on the floor and looked at her and wondered, What do you want me to do? Just give me a little hint. Why can't I make this better? What are you thinking right now? I am going to be the one throwing chunks if I don't get some sleep soon.

The knowledge of a Route 44 coming my way soon is keeping me going. Well, I am off to finish making my frosting for the cake decorating class I am teaching at church tonight. Like I said, I need that diet coke!

YES!!!!!

2008-02-15T13:21:00.002-07:00

HE GOT A JOB!!!

The job with Beazer/Countrywide came through!! We can eat again! Travis will be running Denver and Dallas. It means a lot of travel for the next few months but anything is better than what is going on now! He is a boss again which makes him happy. I told Brennon that dad got the new job. Brennon says, "It is because we prayed so much for it." I said, "Aaaaabsolutely!"

Working on it....

2008-02-14T21:51:00.004-07:00

I am working on the slideshow and the music. Just give me a minute.....or a while. I told you I am not very computer savvy. Just pretending to be.

Happy Valentines Day!

2008-02-14T19:56:00.003-07:00

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

What a kook! The above picture is a Valentine ***WINK*** to all of you. About a month or so ago Savannah started giving these "winks" to me. At first I had no idea what she was doing and I started to wonder if she was okay. Then I put two and two together and figured out that she would do it after I winked at her. So, now we love to ask her for a "wink" because this is what we get every time we ask.

And this tongue kills me. She discovered her tongue about a week ago and she is so funny about it! Talk about being able to get the boys into hysterics...Savannah can get them there faster than you can say 'hysterics'. She is so much fun for all of us.

She expects Parker to be there every morning to push her around in her 'wagon' while I get her breakfast ready. And she goes crazy when she hears Brennon come through the door after school, kicking her legs, flailing her arms and screaming, "ahhhhh, ahhhh, ahhhhh" in her deep voice. We are all so happy when Brennon gets home from school. We miss him when he is gone! Once he gets home I don't have to listen to Parker asking, "How many more minutes until Brennon gets home from school?" And, the boys go down to the basement and play football. Not to worry, Savannah is never left out. She gets hauled right downstairs to watch the boys and be their cheerleader.

On Savannah's birthday I asked her if she just wanted to stay little. She said, "Dai-yaaaa!" Which I am pretty sure meant, "Of course!" I don't know if it is because I am older and have chilled out a bit. Or, if it is because I am older and I don't have the energy or time to stress about the little stuff. (I am pretty sure it has something to do with being older)....But whatever the reason, I sure am enjoying being a mom right now. Don't get me wrong, I have my days (just ask Travis). But all in all I am lucky to have such great kids and a wonderful family.

Now, if Travis could just get a job that actually paid...

Ah-ha!

2008-02-12T21:13:00.002-07:00

Look what I found doing further research.

Placenta accreta: abnormal placental implantation with villi that adhere to the surface of the myometrium. Incidence is approximately 1:2500. With placenta previa and no prior C/S, incidence is 5%-7%. With one prior uterine incision, the incidence rises to 24%-31%. With two or more previous uterine incisions the incidence rises to ~50%.

Placenta Increta: villi invade INto the myometrium. The risk of massive blood loss and cesarean hysterectomy rises markedly.

I did have massive blood loss and they were seconds away from doing a hysterectomy on me.

Risk factors include previous cesarean delivery, previous D&C, history of manual removal of placenta, previous placenta previa, multiparity, endometritis, leimyomas, adenomyosis. Adherent placenta is the most common cause of gravid hysterectomy.

Guess what? I did have a D&C about 3 weeks after Parker was born due to a uterus infection. I wonder if that is what caused the placenta increta? Hmmmmmm..... Do you think it would happen again if I dare (I know...I shouldn't say it...) get pregnant again?

Men Beware....

2008-02-12T20:49:00.003-07:00

I am warning you right now. This is a girly post. It may even contain some talk of births and things that follow. If you choose to continue reading, I am no longer resposible for all of your eeeewing, puking, etc.

So, I was filling out all the paperwork for a new doctors office for my annual check up (well, I have been there before but it has been a couple of years due to my stint in AZ) and you have to tell your whole life history. I am finding that the older I get the longer these papers take to fill out. I used to be able to write my name and circle "no" all the way down the page, state that I am totally and completely healthy and be done. Now, I have to fill out every little thing and write a million medications and all the hospital stays and all the complications (all of you who know me know that right there takes 3 pages on its own). So, anyhow...I had to come upstairs on the computer to find out how to spell placenta accreta/increta. (Those were the words I needed to write down in the "complications" column for Savannah's birth.) I started typing it in and I found out so much information. I thought I would share. I had no idea this even existed until I was hemorrhaging on the table and there was talk of a hysterectomy. The following is from the American Pregnancy Association....

"The placenta normally attaches to the uterine wall, however there is a condition that occurs where the placenta attaches itself too deeply into the wall of the uterus. This condition is known as placenta accreta, placenta increta, or placenta percreta depending on the severity and deepness of the placenta attachment. Approximately 1 in 2,500 pregnancies experience placenta accreta, increta or percreta."

Yes, that did say 1 in 2,500 pregnancies. Why do you act so shocked that I would be the 1????

"What causes placenta accreta?

The specific cause of placenta accreta is unknown, but it can be related to placenta previa and previous cesarean deliveries. Placenta accreta is present in 5% to 10% of women with placenta previa.
A cesarean delivery increases the possibility of a future placenta accreta, and the more cesareans, the greater the increase. Multiple cesareans were present in over 60% of placenta accreta cases.

What are the risks of placenta accreta to the baby?

Premature delivery and subsequent complications are the primary concerns for the baby. Bleeding during the third trimester may be a warning sign that placenta accreta exists, and when placenta accreta occurs it commonly results in a premature delivery. Your healthcare provider will examine your condition and use medication, bed rest and whatever else necessary to help continue the pregnancy towards full term.

What are the risks of placenta accreta to the mother?

The placenta usually has difficulty separating from the uterine wall. The primary concern for the mother is hemorrhaging during manual attempts to detach the placenta. Severe hemorrhaging can be life threatening. Other concerns involve damage to the uterus or other organs (percreta) during removal of the placenta. Hysterectomy is a common therapeutic intervention, but the results involve the loss of the uterus and the ability to conceive.

What is the treatment for placenta accreta?

There is nothing a woman can do to prevent placenta accreta, and there is little that can be done for treatment once placenta accreta has been diagnosed. If you have been diagnosed with placenta accreta your healthcare provider will monitor your pregnancy with the intent of scheduling a delivery and using a surgery that may spare the uterus. It is particularly important to discuss this surgery with your doctor if you desire to have additional children. Unfortunately, placenta accreta may be severe enough that a hysterectomy may be needed. Again, it is important to discuss surgical options with your healthcare provider."

So, after reading all of that I am still at a loss as to why this happend to me. I have never had a c-section, placenta previa, scarring or anything like that. If you have the answers...please share!! I found this information interesting and thought you might too. Now you can say you learned something new today!

Tribute

2008-02-12T16:06:00.000-07:00

We miss our dear President Hickley. Here is a great song and show that was done as a tribute to him. How lucky we are to live in the time of the fullness of the gospel. Not everyone can say that they "get it" as far as the true gospel is concerned. I feel sad for those who are missing out. We are truely blessed as members of the church. I am so thankful to live in a place where I can worship and I have a prophet to guide and lead me. I am excited to see and hear the great things our new prophet will have to share with us.

http://www.heartboundmusic.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=49&Itemid=75

Happy 1st Birthday Savannah!!

2008-02-11T13:44:00.000-07:00

We had quite the little party for Savannah (and the 3 other birthday's in the Stockdale family that occur this week). I spent Friday night making roses to go on Savannah's cake (well, big cookie from Sam's Club). So, here are the roses waiting to be put on the cake. Saturday I spent decorating the cookie. And, Sunday I made lasagna casserole, homemade cheesey french bread and salad. We had my whole family over as well as our neighbors (who are like family). All in all there were 20 of us. Thanks for all the presents and celebration guys!

And....drum roll, please.... the final product... Not to shabby, if I do say so myself!

Yup, baby...that is for you!!
You mean...I get to eat this?!?!?! This right here.
As we began the singing she got a little nervous. As a matter of fact, when we were all done and everyone was clapping she started crying.

I was so scared for her to eat any of the cookie. Since her stomach hasn't handled a variety of different foods, including dairy and wheat, this was a risk. However, I was brave and gave her a little sliver. The frosting doesn't have anything she can't tollerate so she got a whole rose to herself too.

But, she certainly LOVED it. Yummy frosting! She was not so sure about the whole present thing. All she wanted was a bottle and her bed.We got her a little bike that she can sit in and we can push her around. She loved it. And so did all the other kids. They all wanted to push the baby. She must have rode in that for 1/2 hour straight last night.
And this was how happy she was to see it this morning! When Parker got up he kept asking, "How many more minutes until the baby wakes up?" I think I answered that questions 50 times before she finally woke up. Then...immediately when she woke up Parker says, "I am going to push the baby in her wagon until it is time for me to go to school. K Mom?!" And so, he did.
And then some more after school. And...

Do you want to listen to this all day long? Click and see for yourself....
But I suffer because...look how much she loves it.

Tub time

2008-02-08T21:32:00.000-07:00

I am going to try this video thing and see if it works. If it does...you will be laughing too. Sorry your head has to be crooked to watch.

That is enough for tonight... tata!