Eczema

This is Brook's eczema at it's worst. It's never been this bad. We've been trying everything. Nothing's helping. The creams seem to make her itch more. This morning when I woke her up she was scratching in her sleep, and there was blood all over her sheets.

Valentine's Day

I dragged Jay to our stake Valentine's dance Friday night since we're the activities chair people for our ward. He was less than thrilled to go, and we held down our chairs well. He kept saying he didn't want to dance (I'd only made him promise to dance one song), so I gave him an option. I told him either we could go make out in the parking lot, or he could dance one song. He chose to dance- the last song. We got Casa Manana for dinner after the dance, and returned home to a house full of decorations and cookies. Ariel and Cami watched the kids while we were gone, and did lots of fun stuff.

Potatoes

How many kids does it take to peel potatoes for dinner? Well, if I'd had more peelers, they all would have done it. I have 4 peelers, so clockwise starting from the left are Bob, Janna, Abbey and Samantha peeling with Brook and James watching. It got done faster than I could have done it, but there were peels everywhere when they finished.

Seeds

Janna

Abbey

Brook

Samantha

For family night last night Joe and Crystal's family and our family planted seeds. Not in the ground. In seed pellets and jiffy pots. Bob and Samantha were masters at filling the pots with dirt, along with some help from the younger kids. The 3 oldest girls put the seeds in and covered them. I tried to label everything as we went so things woulnd't get mixed up. Jay grilled steak and potatoes, and we all got home way too late. Jay's mom brought some product back from Mesa yesterday, and he waited at the nursery to help her unload, knowing it might freeze last night. I don't think he got home until about 12:30 am. I was in and out of sleep at that point.

White Once More

So, I called Cami yesterday, and she mentioned that she heard it had been really cold in Safford. I said "No. Not really." This morning we woke up to SNOW again. I'm telling you, I should really stop saying it doesn't snow in Safford.

The 2nd Go 'Round

Lilly's 2nd cake with everyone here in Safford.

My Childrens' View

This is me from the view of Lilly. That's what they look at every day when they're talking to me. Nice.

Jason's Home

Me and Jason
Janna made these letters for Lilly that spell "Happy Day" and strung them together with pipe cleaners.

Lilly's first cake in Mesa with my family. We'll do it again tonight here with Jay's family.

My brother Jason got home from his mission (Tennessee, Knoxville) yesterday, and we went to Mesa for the day. Lots of friends and family came to welcome him back to the real world. It was also Lilly's 5th birthday yesterday, so we got to celebrate. It was a fun day, and we got home late (midnight). When we got home we found that Cami and Ariel had put up streamers and balloons all over the kids room, along with Happy Birthday signs. Even though Lilly was groggy, she was happy. She played with the balloons this morning.

Dilation

I went for my 36 week check up/Group B Strep test today, and asked the doctor to check to see if I was dilated. I had a very uncomfortable Sunday. He said he didn't want to, but since I'd been having contractions, he did. He said "Oh yeah. You're 3 maybe 4 cm." I knew it. Anyway, I'm not getting my hopes up yet because I always dilate early, but don't go into labor for a while. Jay says I at least have to wait until Feb. 1st so the baby will be born in the right month for the birthstone he chose. I'll try. This picture is almost 2 weeks ago. I might delete it soon.

Again, and Again

It happens all the time, but they still don't listen. When you play rough, someone always gets hurt. Last night I guess they weren't really playing, but after some arguing, Emma threw a toy car at the back of Janna's head. Head wounds bleed, making this look much worse than it was. Janna asked me "Is my head split open?" in between sobs.

Another One Bites the Dust

A barrel in the back yard probably isn't the best thing to play on. After Bob fell and hurt his boy parts, Abbey fell and scraped her back. Yet, they still play on it.

Fog

I love fog. This was looking out my kitchen window this morning.

Likes/Dislikes

What I Like: When I go to the bank and my lady friends ask how many kids I have, then tell me I'm brave and they want to be like me.

What I Don't Like: When I go to Wal-Mart and the cashier is complaining about being almost 4 months pregnant, and I'm holding a sleeping 16-month-old while 8 months pregnant and unloading and reloading my groceries by myself, with a long line behind me.

Congratulations Rachel!

You know what I'm talking about.

Lucha Libre

Emma and James

Abbey

Janna

We sent the kids over to the guys house in these masks, and Janna, in a deep voice, said "Vamos hacer lucha libre." It was funny.

Callings

So, we went a month or more without having callings in church. We got one- together. We were called last week as the activities co-chair people- if that's how you say it politically correct. I was excited to have a calling with Jay so we can work together, but also that it's not a huge burden to me. I'm comfortable planning and executing events such as ward parties (of course I haven't done one yet), and we'll have a committee with as many people as we feel we need. Anyway, this past Sunday bishop asked me to accept another calling. I thought he was kidding. Nope. Can't say what it is yet, but I think it will take more time than the first one, just because I'll have to plan ahead. I don't do that. Ever. I'm a last minute kind of person- and totally okay with it. I realize other people aren't, because they like to plan to the last detail and know what's going to happen. I can't. Maybe because I know if it didn't pan out the way it was supposed to I wouldn't be happy? I'm excited about both callings. Definitely a change for us (I was in the primary presidency and Jay was in the Sunday School presidency), but it will be fun. I guess this is what I get for complaining about running out of food at our last 2 ward parties. If it happens again, it's on ME!

Patient Lilly

Since we had no TV, and the remodeling project commenced on Christmas Day, Lilly had to wait a whole week to try her Christmas present from Santa- a LeapFrog My First Computer. She finally got to use it New Year's Day, and even shared with her siblings. (Notice me laying on the floor- no furniture).

Congratulations Joseph and Crystal!

New Year's Eve Day Joseph (our Nursery/Store Manager) and Crystal were married at the nursery. We threw together a last minute wedding luncheon, and I think it turned out nice. As they both said- It's about time!

Trees

We did a bonfire on New Year's Eve with the leftover trees from christmas tree sales. I mean SOME of the leftover trees. Had we burned them all, the fire department would have paid us a visit for sure.

Organized???

After 2 weeks of no furniture and a non-functional house, I started getting things back together on Saturday. I bought a few baskets to organize the top of my fridge (medicines) and the bookshelves (piano books, diapers, wipes, etc.) It looks nice for now. We got the grout in the tile- also looks nice. Ariel kept the kids overnight so we could grout without them walking on it. No furniture yet, but we finally sealed the grout, so I might get a couch and table back in there tonight.