For Those of us who have them - Why We Need to Appreciate our White Blood Cells

One of the very annoying side effects of a low white blood count, are mouth sores. Rohne has had hundreds of them, and they are not fun. If you will notice his big lip, this is from a huge canker sore that's right on the underside of his lip. He always gets 1 or 2 of these huge ones when his count is low, and his gums usually get really tender, and bleed too. My theory is that our mouth is full of bacteria, and our white blood cells help to fight off the bad bacteria. But, without sufficient cells to do this, the bacteria goes to work, and eats away at the mouth, thus producing sores. All the Med School people can tell me if I'm right or not, but that's what I think, because he always gets these. It makes it hard for him to eat and sleep, and we all feel really bad for him.

BUT. . . He can still rock!!

A Change Gonna Come

There are all kinds of changes going on right now. We all know that the country is changing with its financial future, and the presidential election. This makes me nervous. Jake is changing jobs, but staying in the same field, and this makes me nervous. My kids grow older each and every day, and the world is getting harder and harder to live in; and while I am excited for them, this makes me nervous. I have always been a stress case. Anxiety is part of my every day life, and if I'm not worried about something, then I will make up something to be anxious about. But. . . . I don't have to make up anything right now, and I must admit, Iam kind of a mess. My husband is such a rock, and he attempts to keep me level headed. And, I can't show this weak side to my children, so I am dealing the best I can. I am exaggerating a little, because life isn't so bad, and I know that there is always someone out there worse off than me. But, it doesn't make it any easier. I am continually praying for strength to be the best mother and wife I can be, and I know that my prayers will be answered.

Jake and I were given free tickets to the Mariners game on Tuesday. We usually go to 4 0r 5 games a year, but this was our first and only game this season. Our M's are just really bad, and it wasn't fun to watch players I've never even heard about. Oh, how I miss my Boonie! It was fun to get out, even though we only stayed until the bottom of the 3rd.

Taylee was so excited to start pre-school this week. There are 3 of us who are doing it with our girls, and I think the first class turned out really good. It is my turn to teach next week, and it will be really fun. Rohne loved having me to himself for 2 1/2 hours.

They took Rohne off his medication a couple weeks ago, and when we got his white blood count checked on Thursday, it was really low again. The Dr. doesn't want to put him right back on the shots, because he's trying to figure out his body, and see if it will come back up on his own. So, we are once again on fever alert, and trying to keep him away from everything. It makes for a grouchy, stir-crazy kid, and ditto for Mommy. I know a lot of parents deal with worse, and I need to count my blessings. Please help me do this!!! It's hard for me to put things into perspective sometimes.

4 years old, going on 16. . . . YIKES!!!

This summer, Taylee's very favorite thing to do was swimming. If she wasn't really swimming, she was running around the house in her swimming suit, pretending to swim. Hence, the Mermaid Birthday Party. But, something was always missing, or so she said. She really really wanted a "2-piece" swimming suit. I don't even know how she heard about these. I have a few tankinis, but I didn't grace my suit more than twice this summer, and she doesn't usually pay much attention to what I am wearing anyways. Oh wait, Dora wears a bikini. . . . I know, SHOCKING! Little girls are so impressionable at this age. But, back to the story. I was at Target yesterday perusing the summer clearance racks, and came across this pink, 2-piece gem. My practical mind was shouting at me to not buy it, but, but my other side won over, and I got it. It is big enough so that she can wear it all next summer, and she absolutely loves it. She has been wearing it all morning, and prances around like she is 12 years older. A Diva in the making. What have I done?

She has to pick out her own clothes now, and this one was a doozy.

Diva, Diva, Diva

*Please ignore the mess. I've kinda been off my game lately.*

One of those things

So. . . I love being a mom. My kids are my life, and I can't even seem to remember how it felt before I had them. Yet, there is one thing I really really really don't enjoy about this divine role. POTTY TRAINING! When I think about my trip as a mom, being these 4 short years, that's one of the worst things that come to my mind. It ranks higher than sleepless nights, trips to the ER, terrible 2's, and everything. Our little monster has probably been ready to take this Big Boy step for awhile now, but Mommy has not been. I have been unable to muster the courage to try consistently, and when it comes to training, all you moms out there know that's the key. Our life has kind of been in a turmoil lately, and I felt like I needed to be in a sound emotional state. Well, I don't know how sound my emotions are, but we really did it. This is our 4th day, and each day seems to get just a little better. (Knock on wood) Taylee was a cake walk compared to him, and I thought that she was hard. So, cross your fingers for me, but don't quite give the silent thumbs up. I know our potty journey is just beginning!!

Weekend Happenings

We had a somewhat busy, and crazy weekend. Our Stake has been planning this Carnival Activity for months, and it was on Saturday. And, with Jake being the Activities Chairman in the ward, he played a big part in the planning and execution. There were lots of activities, including big Bouncy Toys, pony rides, ballon artists, a magician, live band, face painting, and lots of great food. I didn't take many pictures, but we had a great time. Jake was tied up the whole time being in charge of the bouncy toys, which ended up being one of the most stressful jobs. Especially since our friend's 2 year old girl broke her leg coming down the big slide with her dad. I mainly ran around with my sister-in-law, and her 2 kids. This was a church sponsored activity, but we were encouraged to invite all of our non-member friends and relatives. It was estimated that we had 2,500-3,000 people in attendance. Overall, it was a huge success!! We had to get permission from the First Presidency in order to do it, and we had an Area Authority in attendance, to see how it would turn out. They are thinking that we might be an example to other stakes to implement a similar activity. We had Stake Conference the next day, and sorry, Dad, we didn't go. We stayed home, and just kind of vegged out, which felt really good after a stressful weekend.

Rohne actually loved the pony ride, although it doesn't look it in this picture.

Taylee really wanted to ride a pink horse. She was a little sad that cowboys and cowgirls wouldn't paint her horse pink for her. I told her that ponies don't like being painted.

We inadvertently dressed Samantha and Taylee in the same tank top. Taylee actually has those same shorts, but decided to wear her plain pink ones instead. People kept asking how I handle my "twin girls." Their Grandma buys a lot of their clothes, and usually just gets 2 of everything. It's fun to dress alike once in a while, and the girls were so excited about it!

So, Jake told me I have to post something. . .

My husband informed me that he had taken some pictures, and I needed to post them on the blog. There's not a whole lot to say about them. We haven't been doing very much this week. I caught a cold, so I have kind of been a stick-in-the-mud. I'm trying to figure out a routine now that summer's over, and plan activities for the kids during the day. My sister-in-law and I are doing a little preschool for our girls, and I've been planning that, generating ideas, and trying to get it all organized so we can start. I welcome any and all suggestions from other moms. I just could never justify the cost of sending Tay to a real preschool, when I could basically do the same thing at home. Plus, I want her home with me!! Jake is in the middle of some stressful job stuff, and we are always on edge when the phone rings, and this brings a little air of tension as well. We have still managed to have some fun. Life is full of ups and downs, and I definitely think that an up turn has gotta be coming our way!

We caved in, and bought the new Barbie movie for the kids. (Yes, Rohne loves them just as much as Tay does.) It is actually a really cute one. Here they are, enjoying the new movie.

Tay is still very much our little drama queen. She is so full of life, that it never makes life dull.

Here is a little video of what we were doing while Daddy made phone calls last night. It's all fun and games, until the Princess gets hurt!!

Tagged, Tagged, Tagged. . . Here ya go!

I've been tagged by my friend Kristie-

3 favorite things to do:
1-Running/Working out
2-take naps/sleep in
3-spend time with Jake and kids

3 places I have visited
(keep in mind I am from Wyoming, and have never been anywhere!)
1-Oregon
2-Arizona
3-Texas

3 places you want to go
1-Hawaii
2-New York
3-Cruise ship somewhere warm

3 favorite pets you've had:
1-Boots
2-Gypsie
3-Sassy (all dogs from my childhood)

3 favorite foods:
1-steak and potatoes
2-Sushi
3-Red Robin bacon cheeseburger

3 pet peeves:
1-dirty, gross feet, and people showing their dirty, gross feet
2-parents taking their kids out in public, especially church, when they're sick
3-Being late

3 goals in the future
1-Become a better housekeeper
2-Run a marathon, (I'm training for the 1/2 again in November)
3-Get my Bachelor's degree

3 most important things in my life
1-Family, Family, Family
2-The gospel
3-Friends, old & new

3 favorite colors
1-Pink
2-Red
3-Gray

3 people who need to fill this out
1-Amanda D.
2-Rachael C.
3- Bethany, Bethy

*And anyone else who wants to join in!

"WHITMEY, COME DOWN!!!"

Whitney went home last Sunday, so we have been without her for 4 days today. And, boy, do we miss her. I am very melancholy, and trying to figure out how to function. Whit, won't you come back, please!!! We had the best summer with her here. It was so nice to have someone to chat with, go see girly movies with, go running with, and be entirely myself with. Oh, and I loved when she braided my hair. My kids absolutely adored her. Especially our little guy. Today, he asked if we could go and get Whitmey, as he affectionally calls her, from work. I told him that she's at college, and can't come back. To which he replied, "But, I Yuuvvv Whitmey!" She is 8 years younger than me, so we didn't spend a lot of time together growing up, and she was only 11 when we got married. I have loved watching her grow into a beautiful woman, and am so thankful for the time we spent together when she was here. I learned some things about her: like how she can be a little snippy at times, definitely has her own opinions, is extremely stubborn, doesn't like being pushed into things, etc. But, the thing I will remember most is her big heart, her love for family, her AMAZING voice, and her fun, bubbly personality. She is going to make some man very lucky someday. Although we greatly miss her, (the tears are splattering the keyboard as I type) we are excited for this new chapter in her life, and know she will do absolutely wonderful. Thanks again for the best summer ever, Bubber! We love you!

Our last trip to Red Robin last week.

Last Hoo-Rah of the Summer

We spent Labor Day weekend up at Lake Kachess with our friends, Matt and Kristie, and their 3 kids. It was so fun, and a much needed getaway from normal life. Jake was very torn because his Fantasy Football draft was Sunday night, and there is no Internet up in the mountains. But, his very gracious brother agreed to draft for him, with Jake leading him over the phone, and in his own words, he has "The Best Team Ever." The weather was a little chilly, so we couldn't really get in the water. We took a fun hike, played many games of Ticket to Ride, ate lots of yummy food, and just vegged out and relaxed. Thanks for a wonderful time, friends!!

Quite a view, huh!

Throwing rocks in the lake

The boys chatting

The kids loved being outside, and relishing the last bit of summer

Trail Hiking. So pretty!

Silly girly

Picking Huckleberries. Yummy!

Kristie, and little M

The kids had their own playroom downstairs complete with bunk beds, toys, and video games. It was nice to not have to worry about them, while the adults hung out.

Here's us!