December Doings

Over the past few months Justice has been seeing several doctors about his ear aches. He was complaining of pain and even some hearing loss. We took it very seriously and saw his regular doc, as well as an Ear/Nose/Throat doc. Neither of them could see infection, swelling, or damage of any kind. So we were sent to an audiologist for further testing. His first test was inconclusive. The results were all over the place. The doc chalked it up to J being nervous and possibly trying to throw the results in a way that would please everyone. So we rescheduled for an additional test. That was last week. He passed with flying colors. Which was a total relief. So we will see how his ear problems pan out in the next few months...hopefully it was just a passing problem. He hasn't been complaining about them lately so that is a good sign.

At the Fox 13 News Desk...He looks a bit evil...but so cute!

Justice has also started in the Cub Scout program.  He is very eager to start earning badges and doing all that scouting entails.  It is nice to see him hang out with boys.  He has very few friends here in the neighborhood, and all of the girls in the house do not lend to J being raised in a very manly manner.  So I am excited to see him learn about the "way of the pack".  It brings back a lot of memories of when my brother was in scouting and my parents were pack leaders.  Should be fun.  He's only been a couple of times, but he absolutely loves it. 

Before

Montana, my sweet little baby girl, has gone and got herself in braces.  She was in some pain the first day or two but seems to have adjusted to them quickly.  She has been very responsible in taking her orthodontists instruction very seriously.  She brushes three times a day, flosses with the threader and does it all with out even a reminder from mom.  She is very cute in them! 

After

Montana ran for a few offices at school.  She ran for Mayor for the Junior Achievement City they have been working on.  She lost to a boy who bribed everyone with donuts.  Why didn't we think of that???  haha...oh well.  She has been a great sport about it.  So she is waiting to hear if she will be named CEO, CFO, or DJ.  Quite a diverse variety of titles they have for everyone.  I love it.  So proud of this little chica.  She continues to excel in her school work and is turning into quite the little boy chaser. 





Sierra has been swamped with drill team responsibilities. On a daily basis you can find her doing one or many of the following: researching music, cutting/editing music, choreographing, reasearching published choreography via youtube, at practice, performing, getting ready to perform,  or recovering (aka sleeping) after practice or very long days of dance. I don't know how we ever squeezed in her dance studio stuff. I think she has all she can handle on her plate. But, I know she & Montana both would love to go back to a studio if we can ever work it back into the finances. If she wasn't so freaking talented I wouldn't worry about it. But the girl has a calling. Here are some recent pics of one of her drill performances.

Just realized I picked all similar pics...oh well, they are my favorites!  They have all kinds of competitions coming up, including nationals in Texas in March.  Wish I could go too, but I am glad her dad will be able to be there with her.  This kid is amazing.

The house hasn't had much activity in the way of showings.  Had a realty tour come through and one showing.  So I guess that's better than nothing.  More and more homes around us are going up for sale, and they are all just sitting.  So we aren't alone.   It is giving us time to keep fixing up little things in the meantime.  Here is the link to our homes listing.  http://keithhayes.utahrealestate.com/1001467

Christmas is fast approaching.  I don't feel stressed out about presents even though I can't afford much of anything this year.  I just feel thankful that we have been able to survive.  We have such great neighbors, and family.  The Lord has been looking out for us in ways that I can't even begin to describe.  I am grateful to have happy, healthy, lovable kids who keep me busy and striving to be a better mom and provider.  I am thankful that their dads have been able to provide them with the things that I can't.  I am thankful that we have been able to co-parent in a positive way.  I am beyond grateful for my parents.  They make the day to day operation of my family possible.  They are there for me no matter what I need.  How would I survive with out them?  I am thankful for my job and the constant mental challenge it provides for me, as well as my paycheck.  I know there is so much more for me out there...I know the Lord is leading me somewhere.  I am excited to find out how my life will turn out.  I do get down and wonder how I made such a mess of things, but I have hope that this is only a rough road I am on.  I know I will come out of this stretch of my life a much stronger and wiser person.  I have no doubt.  Thank you everyone for being part of our lives.  We are thankful for all parts of our support system!  We love you! 

Merry Christmas!

Happy #9 Justice!

Can't believe my baby just turned 9.  We talk all the time about how I held him for three straight days in the hospital because I knew he was my last.  I still remember the first time I changed his diaper, he peed on me.  Awww, the memories :-) 

I decided to take the kids sledding since we have been dumped on repeatedly with snow in the last week.  It was perfect!! The kids had such a great time.  We went to a hill/park that is close to our house and they all started going down the super steep part that has a little bump, or, ramp if you will.  Those kids were FLYING.  And loving it.  Montana was going down on her knees, Justice face first, his friends were giggling and screaming with delight.  It was a bit heart-stopping at times when they looked like they were tumbling to their death.  They would lay their for a few seconds, and then get up and climb the hill again.  Total fun!

We came back to the house for hot chocolate and ice cream.  I did make a cake, but it turned out so horribly that I didn't dare serve it.  Sad.  So we put a candle in the ice cream and sang happy birthday. 

Didn't get many pics but here they are.  Happy Birthday sweetheart!



The Birthday Boy




Tana "trying" to be cool...haha-love ya




Justice & Jordan





Elissia, Victoria, & Jordan




Opening the loot



Grampa Dave putting the RC car together



Grama & Grampa Nelson





Elissia & Victoria



So much to be thankful for

The last couple of weeks have been a whirlwind.  My parents, Patrick, the kids & I have been working like crazy on last minute fix-ups to get the house ready to put on the market. There are still many other things to do...but, I am keeping the cost down to, well- the bare minimum.  However, I am surprised at the amount of things we have been able to do with just elbow grease, a few screws, parts we already have, and less than $100. 

Here's what we have been doing:
*Deck railing and staining were done during the summer.
*The carpet Sierra gave me as a Christmas present last year has finally been installed and looks beautiful. My dad, Patrick, & I did all the prep work.  We pulled out the old carpet & pad, and then spent hours pulling out all the staples, sweeping and hauling the old stuff out.  It took a full day.  Then carpet man came in and laid down the new short shag in record time. 
*Floors scrubbed.
*Carpets cleaned.
*Blinds cleaned.
*Fridge and Oven scrubbed. Only a small fire ensued the first attempt at using our self-cleaning oven.  That was scary- everyone was running around, and we couldn't get it to turn off or get the door opened.  But finally the right button was pushed and the fire went out before the door was even opened.  Yikes.  Decided to pursue the Oven Foam Cleaning route after that.
*Kids rooms took a couple of days (YES- they were that bad!).  We cleaned out under the beds, the closets, and reorganized everything.  Took extra furniture, clothes &  toys out, and then rearranged the furniture.  Let me tell you,  that alone, was worth the effort.  I told the kids I will be on them like white on rice to keep those rooms spotless.
*Patrick did the super dirty, nasty work.  Winterized the swamp cooler, raked the leaves (which blew back the next day), and then we worked together to replace the wax ring on the upstairs toilet.  I knew it would be gross- but we weren't prepared for the open sewer smell, and the exceptionally nasty state of the old wax ring.  After Patrick scrapped of that nastiness, I scrubbed the bathroom clean- in all the parts that usually don't get touched due to it being such a small space and the toilet takes up most of the room, and then we put it all back together.  Pat also fixed the running on the toilet- which has driven me crazy for the better part of a decade.  Hallelujah.  And all he had to do was...bend the metal arm of the float.  Seriously!!! That's it...all these years, and it was that easy. 
*Replaced the hinge on one of the kitchen cabinet doors- and then reattached the door. Silly side story-- it literally just fell off the wall a couple of weeks ago.  I woke up and was running around outside thinking someone had thrown a rock or something at the house or car.  We were not able to find a similar hinge anywhere.  Luckily, my cousin Jason was able to weld and hammer it back to usable condition--it works just like, well not new, but it works great!
* Put a pull string light in the girls closet- We have not had a light in that closet since we moved in 11 years ago...and it was only $2.50.  Ridiculous. Maybe the girls will actually put their clothes away, now that they can see what they are doing. 
* We also are installing a second rod in the closet for Montana to have some extra space to hang her clothes.  She has always had the smaller closet, but now the girls are wearing the same size clothes (WEIRD), and can actually "share" things.  So sharing a closet is a great idea.  Now the little closet can be for coats/sweaters,shoes, movies, odds & ends. 
*Put new hardware on the girls stair handrail down to their room.  Taking the old hardware out was a bugger as the screws were stripped and as we finally got them out, giant holes appeared as the drywall fell apart.  Dad spackled the holes and attached the new hardware in a stud.  No more wiggly handrail that would fall off if you touched it wrong!  Woot woot!
* New Toilet Seat in the downstairs bathroom.
*Caulking around tub, and caulking around the window in the shower has been chiseled off, and new caulking is going in.
*New shower curtain rings.
*New porch light- No more broken, bronze, monstrosity.
* And lastly--a big wind blew the front door open hard enough that it knocked off the shelf/hooks behind the door, and left big holes in the wall.  That will be the last construction project.
*Some touch up paint still needs to happen, new doors would be nice, and I am sure I will think of at least 100 other things we could do.  But the bottom line is, we just don't have the money to do it. And it doesn't NEED to be done right away. 

I talked with the realtor a couple of times and we discussed price and things that should be done before putting it on the market.  A couple of weeks later he came over and I walked him thru the house and gave him the grand tour and discussed all of the improvements we had been working on.  I thought he would give me another big list of things to fix and/or update, but he only told me to do 3 things...he wanted the furnace and hot water heater vacuumed off, plumbers tape installed around the water heater to anchor it to the wall (earthquake code), and the ceiling tiles in the bedroom spray painted to cover the water stains (which are old and not recurring).  We sat down and went over comps in the area.  Homes close to my size are selling for 99,000 to 130,000.  Our biggest competition being the short sale homes- because the prices are so low.  However, Eric does not want to pursue a short sale.  So I set the price at a firm 140,000.  It's higher than the going rate, but it's enough to pay of the 1st and 2nd mortgage, pay the realtor, and hopefully give me a couple dollars profit to pay off a couple of bills.  I cannot budge on the price. So we may be in for a long haul.  Which is fine with me.  I would love to stay forever.  And hopefully the market will turn, and we could actually sell it for more money later.  But if not--oh well.  In a matter of minutes, I was signing paperwork, he was taking pictures of the house, and the sign was up in the front yard.  It was over before I could wrap my head around it.  Here is the listing link  http://www.utahrealestate.com/1001467

I wish Eric & I could have come to a different arrangement.  I feel like I am doing all the hard work and taking a loss on the home so that he can move on with his life.  I am losing the last piece of anything I can call mine- not really, but that's what it feels like.  He really wants to buy the home he and his new wife have been renting.  I've been late on payments a few times so he is enforcing his right to make me sell, since the mortgages are still in his name.  He really wants me to refinance but, that is just not an option right now.   I was suppose to have 7 years to be able to make that happen and it's only been a year and a half---but it's just not in the cards.  I can see his reasoning, but it still makes me feel bad.  It's the home I have raised my kids in.  I am finally getting it to the point where it's MY home- the improvements that I have wanted done for so long are finally getting finished, it is looking great- and now it's not going to be mine. It makes me cry. But- life goes on.  It will be nice to not have memories of Eric every time I turn around.  The house is a lot of work and it's a struggle to make the payments, and I would be in a better financial position if we can sell.  It would be nice to make a fresh start.   So we will see how things pan out.

ANYHOO- Yesterday was Thanksgiving and we had a beautiful meal with my parents, Grama Dodie, my younger two, Patrick & Dallin.  Great food, and so nice to be with family.  We have so much to be thankful for.  Sierra is in Hawaii with her Dad & his parents--I tell ya, the Jepson way of life is tough--haha. She deserves a vacation, her life is dance---and she rarely can get away to do anything.  So I am glad they could carve out some time. 

The other kids and I are happily putting up the tree and the other Christmas decorations today!  I have been wanting to do this for the past two weeks but I have held back so that people wouldn't think I am a total freak! LOVE the holidays!  Such a great time to be with family, cherish memories, embrace traditions, and enjoy life.  For us, it's not about the presents (because there will be so few) it's about doing for others, for each other, and following the example of Christ.  We love to read Christmas stories, listen to Christmas music, and enjoy being surrounded by Christmas decorations.  Merry Christmas everyone!

Taking a breather

I guess I finally have a few minutes to update this here blog.  It has been so neglected.  But--life, ya know.  I think I get to the point where there is so much to say that I think I need a good chunk of time to sit and write.  Well, that day has finally come.  If I would just keep up with it, it would be easier--and more fun to read.  No promises, but I will be more vigilant. 

Grama
My Grama Dodie (Dolores) McLaughlan has been having a lot of health issues lately.  She ended up having some surgeries on the veins in her legs (Stents??) to help improve her circulation.  We were all very worried for her to have this done as the doctors did not think she would do well.  The first attempt at the surgery was cancelled because the doc could not find veins that he thought he could work with.  She was put on some medicine (Plavix??)  that helped open up the veins a bit, and then they had a successful second attempt at the surgery a couple weeks later.  She was then able to go in for her heart surgery a couple days later.  It was very experimental-they rearranged the valves, attaching them in new places, and were able to do the surgery from a small incision on her side rather than opening up her chest as they did in her previous surgery years ago.  She had a rough few days where it was touch and go...but I tell ya what, my Grama is a tough old bird.  She is still not 100%, but she is doing so much better.  So happy it all went as planned.  I sure do love that woman.  I'm proud of her for being brave enough to attempt the surgery to extend and improve her life.  We did not know if she would survive the surgeries...I know we all feared the worst.  Thanks for proving us all wrong Grams. 



Grama holding her first Great-Great Grandchild Mason Cook


Mini Drill

Montana participated in Mini Drill put on by Sierra's Drill Team as a fundraiser.  With Tana being out of dance for the last few months, I have to say how impressed I was at how well she did.  She of course was with an older group this year and the choreography was much more difficult.  A great challenge for her for the three day event.  She picked it up and ran with it.  She practiced every spare moment.  She nailed it at the performance.  Here are pics of  Sierra's adorable recruits.  Sierra and her team looked amazing as always.



Cousin Molly, Sierra, & Montana

 

My dancing daughters

Drill Team Peeps

 10/10/10

On this auspicious occasion my Uncle Jerry (my mom's brother) & his sweetheart Pat had a beautiful wedding at the park.  A third marriage for the both of them.  They are a cute couple.  It's always fun to see folks who are in love.  They walked together down the aisle.  I thought that was the perfect way to start their marriage.  Hand in hand.  I brought my Patrick to the wedding and introduced him to family that hadn't met him yet.  So now we have Jerry's Pat, and my Pat.  My mom and dad ride Harley's with Jerry & Pat frequently, so the conversation can get muddled occasionally.  Anyhoo--It gives me hope that 3rd marriages do happen.  Third times a charm?  Hope the rare date they were married on brings them blessings-o-plenty.

School Stuff

Justice has started taking a French class and has learned a bunch of fun words & songs.  My favorite is when he is practicing counting.  In french, four is quartre, pronounced "cat"..sort of.  So when he is counting he says " Un- deux- trois- quatre- meow- laugh- laugh- cinq- six, sept, huit, neuf, dix"  He is so cute when he wants to be.    And those dimples, who could resist!



School Pic 2010



Montana is LOVING her viola  lessons.  She is practicing  and  we can hear some songs starting to emanate from the screeching strings.  She can play Twinkle Little Star- Can-Can, Old MacDonald, and many others.  We are working on form and technique for the most part.  She has a couple of concerts coming up.  It will be fun to see her in full swing.  She is also singing with the school choir-  so she will be multi-tasking.  Should be fun.  I can't believe how grown up she looks in this pic!! So adorable.  She has been babysitting our neighbors kids for a couple of hours on Mondays and Fridays.  And she is the best!! She has a new babysitting kit complete with prizes and behavior charts and the like.  What a cutie!



School Pic 2010- 5th Grade

Me

My cleaning business has slowed down a bit, but I am hoping to ramp things back up.  I have a couple of fantastic regulars...Let me know if you know of anyone who would like some cleaning done for the holidays.  It's very therapeutic for me.  My new favorite task--mopping.  I found a new cleaner (Fabuloso) that smells absolutely fabulous.  I find myself moping every few days in my own home because I love the smell so much.  Wow- I am getting weird in my old age.  Haha. 

HalloweenHalloween was not too complicated this year.  I bought Justice a Grim Reaper get up and he was happy as a pig in mud.  We did face paint rather than a mask-that was his favorite part.   Montana fell in love with the cheerleaders at the high school football game--so she asked if she could wear Sierra's old cheer uniform.  It fit her perfectly.  And she looked adorable.  Then a couple of days later Sierra told me her and her friend Kelsea were going to be rival school cheerleaders.  I had to laugh--two cheerleader--that would never happen if it was my idea!  lol!   Kelsea went to Eisenhower and Sierra went to Bennion- so they wore their respective uniforms as well as black eyes, bloody noses, blacked out tooth, messed up hair, etc.  It was hilarious.  So I got off easy this year.  I didn't get any pics this year for some reason (Mom of the year) so here are some I have swiped from other sources



Sierra, Mark, & Kelsea

Justice & Montana with their Step-Sister Jillian & Step-Brother McKayde

Our Pumpkin efforts for the year

Otherwise, It's business as usual around here.  OH---except one BIG thing. We are putting the house up for sale.  I am not excited at all about this.  Trying to smooth things out financially & since I can't refinance yet (which E would like me to do) this is what we have agreed to do.  But there is one big benefit.  We are working on all those stupid projects that only get done when you decide to move.  Patrick has been amazing in helping me get a ton of things done that have been put off for years.  He just keeps asking what is next on the list.  He must know that that is one of the best way to my heart!   However- it seems like every time an item gets crossed off the list, 2 or 3 more pop up that need attention.  Hope to have the sign up & the house looking fantastic in the next week or so.  Well- as good as it gets anyway.  We are going to have to sell it for rock bottom as it is, so I am not putting a bunch of money into it.  I won't re coop it.  We will be lucky to sell it for what we owe.  Not sure where we will go.  It depends on how much the house sells for, and IF it sells.  Hopefully we will just be downsizing a little, maybe a condo with no yard work & a pool?? That would be great.  Mom and Dad have offered for us to come home and land for a bit until things settle.  We may do that, but I hate to do that to them.  So we will see.  Isn't life fun??  We are happy, and healthy and just keep trudging on.  We have each other and that's all we need to keep smiles on our faces.  We are ready to put up the Christmas decorations and start celebrating the holidays!! Bring it on!

More pics

Sierra Summer Drill Pic-  Wow!

Drill Pic:  Their Theme this year is "Take it by Storm"  Absolutely love this!



Montana at Odyssey Dance Theatre's "THRILLER" for the first time. 
This zombie came and sat by her.  He has no eyes.  Her expression is pricelss!




Justice came to work with me one night. 
Here he is working one of the cameras that I use on the news.



At the newsdesk---lights were out so pic is kinda hard to make out

Me in Master Control...pic by Justice

The sickness streak continues

I just returned from a doctor visit with Justice.  His third in the last three months concerning his ears.  All three times there were no infections.  He is complaining about pain in his ear, more and more frequently, and recently has claimed to not be able to hear out of one ear.  The doctor is sending us to a specialist to find out if he is having trouble pressurizing his ears, and if tubes might be needed to help correct the problem.  Poor kid.  We have been using tylenol for the pain, and homeopathic ear drops for a while.  The problem comes and goes.  So I will keep you updated on that situation.

Sierra is still not better.  She has been sick and lethargic for two weeks now, doctors orders to not dance have been obeyed.  But she did go back to school this week so that she would not get so far behind.  Test were performed to see if she has mono.  Apparently, they came back negative, but there were some abnormalities in her blood cells.  Something about them being too large?? So they will test her again in a few days to see if it was a false negative on the mono test.  Ugh!  These kids!!! Where is my wand to use my mommy magic on them?  I so wish I could do something to help them.

Montana is very healthy.  However, we have decided to take her to the dermotologist as she has started to break out with acne pretty heavily around her hairline.  Her dad had pretty bad acne as a teen and we want to avoid that if we can.  She's only 11-- I hate to be the kind of mom that just runs to the doctor for every little problem.  But, it's available, we can do it, and we should. 

So it's more doctor visits in our future...

That saying "An apple a day, keeps the doctor away"??  Total nonsense.  We go through them like crazy!

Sierra has pneumonia

Poor Sierra has been sick for several weeks.  First a cough.  Then strep.  Then a worse cough.  Then fatigue and sleeping every possible moment.  Now walking pneumonia. 

She has had doctors orders to stay home from school this week, and NOT to dance, or do anything too strenuous.  "Sleep, relax, take your antibiotics.. and call me next week", she says.  If things aren't better we are to take her in for an x-ray and see where things stand.  She just cannot stop coughing.  And not dancing is absolutely DEATH for her.  So I pray that things will clear up quickly.

She is in good spirit though.  Hang in there sweetheart!