Back to the hospital again!

A couple of times a year my dear ole' Dad gives us a good scare. This past Friday it happened again. For the past 12 years he has been in and out of this hospital with heart trouble. He had open heart surgery when Andrew was 1 and he is now 13! I remember so vividly that day juggling my two little boys around the hospital waiting for the word. Since that time this has become my folks vacation spot! He has good times and bad times! I decided this needed to be in my blog for the memory since we spend so much time there. He was a good sport about it-but he always is a good sport about everything!The 4th floor is for heart trouble! I know he's been in this room before too!Nice red warm socks to keep his feet toasty!Chips of ice!IV'sNeedles and wiresNana taking care of himAnd here he is so much better than last week!This is where my mom stays-a neat little place she calls home that is attached to the hospital.Always making her laugh and thinking of others even when he feels rotten!

Last Friday he was sitting on the couch and just feel over! My mom said she really thought she lost him this time. This has happened before at Wal-Mart and another time fishing with his buddies and other occasions. My mom tried to slap him back awake and his defibrillator shocked him. When he woke up she said his big blue eyes were looking at her and he wondered what in the world she was slapping him!

He was transported to St. Thomas by ambulance again. He is much much better now and hopefully will get home by the weekend.

He is truly like a cat with nine lives or he could be compared to the saying "takes a lickin and keeps on tickin" I wish I had recorded each time this has happened. It is gives me peace to know he's out of the hot water and his way to recovery again. He is an amazing person (even if he flirts with the nurses!) As I watch his body wearing down he keeps fighting on. I know he is in pain most all of the time and I hate to see him that way but in between the pain he still finds the strength to be an amazing Papa and Dad. He gives me strength, encouraging words and always knows what to say and just when to say it. He is a constant strength to all of us. He has been through more than any human I know. He lost his mother at a very young age (she was struck by lightening) He was raised by many different people learned to take care of himself at a very young age. He even lived in the school once! He worked his way through high school where he met my mother, he went to the army then to college after my brother and I were born and on to get a master's degree despite of his life. He is the hardest worker I have ever met. His life is a constant example of righteous living mixed with fun! He is always a joy to be with in all situations. I wonder how I got so lucky and was blessed to have him.

Banquets, graduations, recitals

Recital time! Leah Beth and Caroline are in a yearly dance recital. It is so much fun. A good excuse to wear make-up and get all dressed up. This year Nana, Grandma, Aunt Brandi, Rachel, Ms. Melinda, Rhonda, Faith, Steve and I got to go! Caroline got to be in 1 of the big shows this year. She has long waited and can't wait to be in all three big shows!

Blake had his 8th grade graduation. Wrestling end of the year banquet. Blake landed the most improved trophy. We were so excited for him. He really deserved it. He worked so hard this year and show some major work ethic. Hope that work ethic continues to stay around as he starts to smells the two fumes (perfume and gasoline!)

Things we've learned this school year!

SUMMER-SUMMER-SUMMER-SUMMER!-schools out let's rock the house!

I felt like the high school musical movie today as I was counting down the minutes until my last final was over. I am so excited for summer to begin at my house today. This school year summer has a new meaning for me.

So here we are at the close of the year!

Steve is 60 pounds lighter than he was when we all started school in August! (Yeah steve)

Things we have learned this year!
Caroline finishing 1st grade-1. I have learned to spell words correctly.
2. To read chapter books

Leah Beth finishing 4th grade-1. I have learned to-1. to do fractions
2. do long division
3. how to build roller coasters out of connects.
4. how to do long multiplication

Andrew finishing 7th grade-
1.Teachers always don't agree with you anymore.
2. I learned about every country in the world.
3. More about percentages in math.
4. Breaking up with girls isn't very nice to do.
5. Armpit hair doesn't always grow in 7th grade
6. Having lockers isn't that bad.
7. School goes by fast!

Blake finishing 8th grade-
1. Triangles have a lot of formulas
2. how to make a leaf press
3. how to make a solar oven
4. middle school goes by very fast.
5. you have to train hard to become a wrestling state champion
6. I am ready for high school
7. most of high school won't be as hard as Mr. Nicolas
8 I will miss both Mrs. Levi (who passed away this year) and Mr. Leach (who left for the war this year)

Gretchen finishing I am not sure what grade! Classified by hours as a senior with 120 something credit hours but with all the changes since many of my classes were too old I am more like a junior!
1. I have learned it is hard for me to ask for help but it is necessary.
2. To dig deeper than I have ever had to do.
3. That I can pass math if I study harder than the norm!
4. To depend on the Lord's help in all things.
5. That happiness doesn't come from others or things that it comes from within (although i have learned this before i relearned it this year!)
6. that building a relationship is necessary before you can teach anyone anything that they will remember.
7. that is doesn't matter how long something takes as long as it is done correctly! (I like to just get things done fast)
8. to not text message while driving-it is like driving drunk!
9. to appreciate life each day more fully-my health-my ability to communicate with others-to walk, drive-all the things that come so easily-this year I witnessed so many with disabilities in observations that made my life seem so simple.
10. I have learned that by not ever skipping class you will get a better grade even if you don't do as well on the exams!-attendance matters!
11. That having a math tutor is expensive even if it's your own son!
12. that the Lord is very aware of me and knows me and my needs.

Can't believe my Blake is graduating middle school tonight-on to high school we go!

Sent from my iPhone

Schools out...School starts back!

Grades are in!!!

1.Evaluations strategies-B

2. Survey of the exceptional child-A

3. Art for teachers-A

4.Geography-B

5. MATH-B+

6. Effective Instruction birth -5-B

I know McKenzie's gonna die when she sees I made a B+ in Math!!!!!!! I thought I was going to pass out. I had to make a D in the class since it wasn't in the teacher program it's a gen ed class! I really thought the highest I would get is a D+. I went into the final with a D+ thinking oh well!!!!

I started back today with Math for teachers and a communications class! OH BOY! 3 weeks of craziness!

Andrew started his first job today. He got on at the local park with Blake score keeping. We are so excited for him.. I can't tell if he's more excited about the free food or the pay check.

Finals over-Homemade yogurt and laundry detergent!

I took my last two finals yesterday!!!! YIPEE...felt like a load was lifted as I walked across campus. I actually did a shout out. People there already think I am looney so why not! You know how those older wiser learners are!!! Wondering what I made in math I can't wait to see my grades. I start back Monday for the may school. It's three weeks of all day pure torture school! Another Math class-Math for teachers! (what a cute name) and Speech (I guess so we'll know how to speak in front of kindergarten children!) 8-4. I am having to get people to help with my kids to pick up. I hate asking people for help and I have severe mother's guilt because the kids have so many field trips and parent picnic days in may that I will have to miss...so note to self...when I am a teacher don't have family picnics in the day time when families can't come! (guess you can't please everyone!)


I was waiting to get out of school to try these two really new cool recipes. I can't believe it worked. Steve and the kids rolled their eyes at me last night as I created these new potions! But it worked so they can just roll on baby!!!!

I am posting the recipes on our family recipe blog here







We actually had fun making slime and I think it might even save us some $$$$$$That's always a plus!
2 1/2 weeks of school for the kiddos! Can't wait for swimming, scouts, beach, cousins, efy, family time, staying up late, sleeping late, going to nana's!

Being Noticed!

This week I have noticed my double digit kids are starting to notice me! I have gone for years without any recognition from the way I look! So I hear this week-my boobs are starting to sag...I might need to go buy a new bra or if I would just exercise that would help....It looks like I might be getting a double chin and I really really need to shave my legs! Those lines on my stomach are disgusting! Some gray hair is starting to show around my ears! I have a new wrinkle and I need to go get some new clothes! Brutally honest! If they only knew what this body looked like before them!