A baptism, a blessing, and a farewell

This weekend was suppose to be a happy weekend.  Unfortunately, that's not exactly how it turned out.  On Friday evening Grandpa Charlie, Grandma Ingrid and Aunt Tanya arrived at Grandpa Scott's house around 7 pm.  When they arrived, it looked as though Grandpa Charlie was sleeping.  Grandma Ingrid told Grandpa Scott that Grandpa Charlie and driven the entire way until they reached Brigham, when he began to complain of a headache and not feeling well.  They gave Grandpa a Tylenol and some Coke.  Grandpa was unable to keep the Tylenol and Coke down.  Grandma drove from Brigham to North Logan.  Grandma Ingrid insisted that Grandpa Charlie just needed to go inside and lie down and he would be fine - they had just had a long ride.  Grandpa Scott was unable to wake Grandpa Charlie up.  After about 30 minutes, Grandpa Scott and Grandma Kris convinced Grandma Ingrid to get in the car, something was wrong and they were taking Grandpa Charlie to the hospital.  Grandpa Charlie never woke up.  The doctors told Grandpa Scott, Grandma Kris and Grandma Ingrid that Grandpa Charlie was bleeding in his brain.  Unfortunately, because of the blood thinners he was taking for his pace maker they couldn't give him the medicine he needed to stop the bleeding or it would cause a major heart attack and stop his heart.  The doctors weren't sure if the bleeding was from when he fell and hit his head on Wednesday or not.  They said it is likely he was already bleeding into his brain prior to his fall because of the blood thinners and that the fall just made the bleeding worse.  When Grandpa Charlie began having difficulty breathing, he was placed on a ventilator and made comfortable.  Travis, Jamie, Chad and their cousins (with the exception of one) went to the hospital to tell Grandpa Charlie good bye.  At about 2:30 am on Saturday, Grandpa Charlie was taken off the ventilator.  He only lasted about 15 minutes before he was gone.  We are thankful that it was quick and relatively painless.  We are also thankful that each of the grandchildren was able to say their good byes.  We miss Grandpa Charlie dearly and it made for a very bitter sweet day.

After the baptism and blessing we had lunch at our place.  The weather was nice and cooperated for us.  We set tables up out in the backyard under the trees.  It started to sprinkle after everyone had left and everything was cleaned up.  I think that was Grandpa Charlie's way of letting us know he was with us.  In this picture from left to right: Aunt Sandy, Aunt Tanya, Sam, Grandma Ingrid & Brookelyn, Grandma Kris.

Samantha was so brave when it came time to be baptized.  I was worried about how she'd do.  Grandpa Scott was able to baptize her at our church house.  Just before Grandpa Scott dunked her she stalled a bit and told him to wait.  I think she wanted to be sure she had a good grip on her nose and a nice big breath.  She had been practicing going under the water in Grandma Terri's pool.  After just a short stall, she allowed Grandpa Scott to dunk her and she came up smiling so it must not have been too awful!

We were suppose to have a birthday celebration for Travis and his brother on Friday night.  Those plans were obviously tossed out the window.  So, we celebrated after lunch on Saturday.  We had cake and everyone sang to the boys.  Their boys even helped blow out their candles.

My Grandma Reeder made lemon bars.  I LOVE lemon bars.  I could eat an entire pan all by myself!  My Aunt Nikki and I were play fighting over the pan of lemon bars & I threatened to lick them all!  Travis was kind enough to take a photo of me with my lemon bars.  Guess I shouldn't have been being a smart alec when he had the camera!

Grandma Ruth, Grandpa Russ, Brooke & Sam.

 A few generations in this picture: Grandma Terri, Me, Sam, Grandma Ruth, Grandpa Russ & Brooke

So, although our weekend wasn't what we expected, it was still nice.  We all felt Grandpa Charlie's absence on Saturday during the baptism and blessing and continue to feel it today.  I am sure that we will continue to feel his absence for quite awhile.  Unfortunately I know from experience that the hurt does get easier with time.  Even though I know that it still doesn't make it any easier right now.  We are preparing to go to Mayfield for the funeral later this week.  I am grateful that we were able to stop and see Grandma Ingrid, Grandpa Charlie and Aunt Tanya on our way to Lake Powell so that Grandpa Charlie could meet Brookelyn.  I am also grateful that Travis was home so that he could say good bye.  We love you Grandpa Charlie.

We are learning...

So this is the new version of our dad babysitting (ok, he was trying to do homework & entertain her at the same time). Turns out little sister loves Taylor Swift just as much as her big sister...go figure! Travis put it on CMT & she was going nuts watching Taylor Swift's video. I should have gotten it on video because it was pretty cute. She was kicking her feet and pumping her fists and making noise at the tv.

The other day I was outside pulling weeds. Samantha was suppose to be watching Caleb. I came in to check on the kids & the bathroom door was locked & I could smell polish. The guilty party? Caleb. He had chosen pink & orange nail polish & went to work. He actually did a pretty good job painting. He did get it on his skin though & dumped some on the floor. I got it cleaned up off the floor & made him sit down so I could get it off his skin. I took it off his skin & his nails....he started crying. I felt bad. I told him if he wanted polish it had to be invisible (clear) polish. He defiantly told me he wanted "purple". I told him he could have black on his toes but only clear on his fingers. Then I realized the black had sparkles in it. Oh well, socks cover it, right? So, he currently has a base coat on his fingernails and black with sparkles on his toes. His dad isn't very happy. I however find it a victory for him & me. The clear can't be seen & the black can be covered. Plus, by giving him the black he didn't get back into the polish to do it himself or throw a fit because he didn't get his way!

Brooke looked super cute in her outfit on Sunday, so I had to take a picture.

Brooke is learning to sit up. We've busted out the Bumbo (which I am sooo excited to have). If you look close you can see the grin on sister's face in each of these pictures. I think Charlotte likes the Bumbo too because she knows Brooke won't spin circles and kick her!

On Labor Day I did a booth down in Wellsville for their Founder's Day celebration. I had gone back to my expedition to get my display with my hair bows & was talking on the phone to Travis asking him to bring me my ribbon. I shouldn't have walked where I was walking & I shouldn't have been on the phone while carrying my bows, but....I did. And, I paid the price too. I went down & my elbow caught me. My phone ended up in the irrigation ditch along with me and the hair bows and the price list. The worst part was having 2 ladies witness it all! They were very kind & helped me up. One lady even offered to let me go to her place to get some dry clothes. It isn't the greatest picture, but here is a photo of my new road rash.

I have met with 3 of the 4 principals I will be working with. I have seen my room out at Millville and will be in the library at Canyon & Wellsville. They moved our training from today to next week because the girl doing the training has the flu. I'm getting more and more excited about this new job. I think it's going to be lots of fun and all the principals seem really open to the program & excited about it! Now, if we survive Saturday, we'll be doing good!

Phone & Camera Dump

You know, I've decided I like doing these phone dumps. Why? Because I think it reminds me of what really happened during the week - you know, all the things I'd like to remember AND forget!

Little sister has been rather happy - as long as she's doubled up on Tylenol & Ibuprofen for her incoming teeth!

I got the girls' room painted this week. Whole room in a matter of hours - taped off & all. As I told my husband, "It looks like a cotton candy machine threw up in here." As long as Sam likes it though, it's fine. And, since I've started putting things on the wall I've decided it isn't so bad. It does still glow at night though - literally GLOWS.

Got a case of raspberries today & every time I look over, this is what I find!

Donut lips!

Little sister is learning how to blow spit bubbles these days...

My poor red maple tree. Aphids got it good this year. You can tell how far up they've gotten. Guess I'm going to break down & buy ladybugs in May & see if that actually does anything to help.

Went to Make It With Mandy last night & made 4 things. I love Halloween decor.

Little sister is LOVING her bath time.

She's going to be rolling over in here soon. If I could get the kids to stay out while she's in the tub I wouldn't worry. But, alas, not going to happen!

Caleb FINALLY pooped in the potty this week. Not once, but TWICE. So, he got his "DS" that he picked out MONTHS and MONTHS ago. Since I gave it to him he hasn't pooped in the potty again. Dang it....

I took Caleb & Brooke to Walmart the other day. I told Caleb he could have these donuts if he was a good boy the ENTIRE time we were in there. I think he's enjoyed them thoroughly!

Bought a big box of peaches with those raspberries today....they are TASTY!

And last, but not least is this one. I'm fairly certain this boy is going to be the water master of whatever town he lives in when he's older!

A new adventure

Last week I accepted a new job! I had interviewed earlier in the week and they said they'd let me know by Friday. Since I interviewed on Tue. I figured that since I hadn't heard from them by Thursday morning that I hadn't gotten the job. Stupid since they had told me I'd know by Friday. But, I figured they'd want the person to start asap so they'd probably let them know on Wednesday. Not long after I talked to Laura, my girlfriend that does my daycare, & told her I'd probably be going back to South Cache to work, I got a phone call offering me the job!

I will be teaching the Gifted & Talented program for Cache District. They hired 4 of us, so I'm thinking I'll be visiting the schools from Mendon to Nibley. I will be at a different school every day Monday-Thursday. On Friday I will be out at the district office doing prep. I will work 4 hours a day. The hours I work will depend on the administration at each school I visit. So, I could work from 9-1 one day & 10-2 the next. Who knows?! The kids I will be working with were identified as Gifted or Talented last spring and are in 3rd-5th grade. This job is also a pay increase from my ESL aide position at South Cache.

I am really excited about taking this job. It not only gets my foot a little further in the door at the district office, but also at 4 different elementary schools in the district. It also gives me the opportunity to get my license renewed. I don't think I posted about the license upgrade stress I'm having. To put it briefly - my license expired, I need to upgrade, Ogden won't upgrade me, I have to get an extension for a year to teach on, the district I teach with under my extension can recommend me for an upgrade after I teach there for a year. I'm also excited about this job because since it's only 4 hours a day, I will still be able to get Sam to dance & piano. I won't have all the stress that goes with a "regular" teaching job either. One lesson will last me an entire week! The only kink this job will potentially throw my way is getting Caleb to & from preschool. Fortunately my mother & her bff love me & are willing to help me out!

In other news....

Today I take Caleb to his open house at pre school. I can't believe he's starting already! Before I know it Sam will be driving & Brooke will be going to school all day! I never thought the days would fly by so quickly when I was 10 years old. It seems that every year the days go by faster and faster. How do you manage to hold onto your sanity? Not to mention all the things you want to do before it's too late? Caleb has been so excited to start pre school. Every day that we take the big kids to school he has to take his "pack pack" and wants to know where HIS lunch is. I've tried to explain he isn't going to need a lunch even when he does start going. I think I might have to buy another lunch box though!

Sam has been loving school. I think she's glad she finally gets a break from her brothers again! She was excited when she came home after the first day of school because she had learned to write a cursive i and cursive t. I am excited for her. Third grade is my favorite grade to teach. They learn so many new things & by the end of the year they are no longer little kids! She started back in piano last week. I can't believe how good she's getting. Her teacher said she could tell I made her practice every day over the break. We also went back to dance yesterday. This year she's in Jr. Company. This is the 4th-6th graders. Yes, older girls than her. I had asked her dance teacher which class to register her for at the end of summer session & she said she wanted to try her in the older girls class because she had been doing so well. After class last night I asked her if it was going to be too hard or not. She said there was only 1 song that was too fast & she was having a hard time with. I told her not to worry, it was only the first day back and she'll get it soon. I was happy to see they have the entire performing schedule posted. Looks like Disneyland & California Adventure will be the last few days of March. Who wants to keep my monsters then? :P

Nash has been liking school but I think he mostly just tolerated it yesterday. Apparently they were outside most of the day learning the playground rules, etc. The whole school did it. I know how he feels though because the school I taught at in Ogden did the same thing and it was tiring & made for a very long day!

We are getting ready for the girls' baptism/blessing day. We are doing it on Sat. Sept. 10th @ 10 am. I've bought Sam's dress & my mom is working on Brooke's. I'm excited to see them together. They are going to match so well! So far I've invited over 100 people. We'll see how many show up! We are doing lunch at our place afterward. If I've skipped you with an invite, please let me know! Everyone is welcome!

Phone Dump

This week I have an interesting variety of photos on my phone.

This is where Trav has been working. He said he's been working on the crane side & the crane is about 110 ft tall. At least he didn't send me a pic of him playing with explosives. He sent me this pic because Caleb is always asking where dad is and what it looks like where dad is at. This week he tells me dad is working in the forest, on the mountain, with the bears....not quite buddy, but good guess!

This was on our way home from Lake Powell. There's a rainbow in there between the horizon & the cloud.

This is also on our way home from Lake Powell. See that spot? Yeah, that's BIRD GUTS. A bird flew into the windshield!

While I was cleaning awhile ago I found one of Trav's pocket knives. This isn't a small pocket knife. This knife gives me the heebie jeebies to open, use & try to close. Most of the time I can't close it. My brilliant husband decided Nash could have the knife. Nash very much wants his own pocket knife. Look what happened when he was trying to open a new box of Legos. Thanks Dear. PS - this was BEFORE he sat the box on his LAP and started cutting toward himself. I think he needs to revisit the rules of using pocket knives with his dad!

B looks pretty awesome in her new shades.

B has had some sadness due to teeth trying to come in. I'm afraid she's going to be a finger sucker despite my many, many attempts to keep her fingers out of her mouth. Dang it.

Little sister is become quite the DIVA.

The 1st day of school picture we sent to dad.

This would be what Caleb put in Brooke's MOUTH today while we were waiting for the big kids to come out of school. It was ALL the way in B's mouth, toward the back of her mouth. Luckily for me, it was bottom side toward the top of her mouth so I could get it out easily. Brooke was crying & Caleb didn't like that. So, he tried to get her to be quiet by putting this in her mouth. First thing on the to-do list tomorrow: move Caleb's carseat further away from Brooke's.