I'm Thankful for Diabetes.......

Tuesday, November 25th--Maybe some of you think it's weird to be thankful for such a horrible disease but I'm discovering I am thankful for it and for the lessons I've learned thus far.

I've learned:

*Our Father in Heaven knows our strengths and what we are able to handle, even though we can be absolutely clueless of them most of the time.

*As parents, our childrens lives (physically, spiritually and emotionally) are truly in our hands.

*We don't always understand why we're given the cards we're dealt but our level of faith and courage determines the outcome.

*patience, Patience, PATIENCE!!!!

*There is a difference between a 3-year-old tantrum and low/high blood sugar--it just takes a LONG time and many "experiences" to figure it out.

*A cure is on the way but in the mean time we make the best of our situation.

*Rather than make the disease a huge part of what Brady's life is, we MUST make it a small part and focus on his amazing talents and abilities instead.

*There will be good days and bad, regardless of the choices we make and regardless of how hard we try.

*There will be moments of breakdown and upset and that's okay.

*We can't do it alone. We lean on each other and on the Lord.

*There is support all around us if we take advantage of it instead of being prideful.

*Educating ourselves and keeping up with new developments is a must!

*There will be parents who send their coughing, vomitting, runny-nosed, feverish children to pre-school and Nursery/Primary. I can be angry over that or just understand that not everyone has to take their child to the ER over a little flu, so they probably don't comprehend our situation.

*Listening to our prophets counsel (paying tithing, no debt, savings and investments) has made it so this is not a financial hardship, just something to add to the budget.

*Trials can make or break family unity.

*Children can amaze us with what their able to endure.

I could go on and on but I think you get the jist. Life lessons, indeed........with more to come!

100 Things

100 Facts- some are about me. Copy the list and highlight (mine are red) the ones that are true about you.
1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii (lived there)
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity (tithing when we were broke)
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain (Green Mountain--it's small but I'll count it!)
9. Held a Praying Mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning (Stupid Golden Corral, and right before Thanksgiving, jerks!)
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David (Does the replica at Ceasars Palace count? Sure, I'll count it! he he!)
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class (Judo)
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London (I've seen the one in Arlington Cemetary, VA)
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle (Adam, you psycho!)
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible (Does Seminary count? Sure!)
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Talked your way out of a ticket

I'm Thankful for My Little Bohdee.....

Monday, November 24th--I love our little dog, Bohdee. He's been with us for almost 3 months now. He's about 6 months old. He lets me hold him like a little newborn and he falls asleep. It's so sweet! He's become my little buddy. Someone once told me when a dog gets to know you and trust you his/her love becomes unconditional. I believe that. I have approached him with respect and kindness and he's given me the same, in return.

Sadly, the same is not so for Brady. Tomorrow, with heavy heart, I'm taking Bohdee to live with my sister, Alishia, in Salt Lake. Brady is having a hard time adjusting to Bohdee. We seem to think he doesn't quite understand that Bohdee is a living animal, not a toy. He is a little too rough with Bohdee and we fear Bohdee might get hurt or even worse. I can't bear the thought of that or the thought of Brady and Elise dealing with such a devistation. As parents, Nate and I have to do what's best for Brady and Bohdee, even though it hurts like crazy not to have my little buddy around anymore. As the kids are getting older and more independant, they don't seem to want to cuddle and just be held anymore. I miss that and had found it again in our little puppy.

I know Bohdee will be loved very much by my sister and her family. I pray he'll become friends with their little Shih-Tzu, Asia. I hope he'll adjust quite easily and even, as much as it hurts to say (tearing up), forget the close relationship he and I built together. We'll get to see him from time to time but it won't be the same.

Sometimes life isn't fair. Sometimes, as parents, we make sacrifices that effect our own personal joys. But, I knew that even before I had children and it was something I accepted with my whole heart. My childrens happiness and well-being are more important than anything. Someday, Brady will understand the difference between a real animal and a fake one and then we can consider getting another puppy. If I'm lucky, which I doubt I will be, my sister will let us have Bohdee back. He's laying right next to me, fast asleep, and I'm already missing him.......

A Full Week of Thankfuls......

Sunday, November 23rd--I often express the things I'm thankful for but this week I'm going to be a little more specific, considering the Thanksgiving holiday coming up. Last week I wrote a post about my wonderful hubby, Nate. I am incredibly thankful for my kids, Elise and Brady. I think 90% of my blog posts are about them so I it's pretty obvious how thankful I am for them, even in those not-so-great moments. I love my family with all my heart, they are everything to me.
I sang in our ward choir today. We sang "For the Beauty of the Earth". I love this song. Music is amazing to me. It can make you laugh and be so touching as to bring tears as well. My mother introduced the importance of music into our family from the very beginning. Her parents did the same for their family. She played her records and 8-tracks and we'd all sing along. We knew the likes of Barry Manilow, Karen Carpenter, Bread, musicals galore, and all the hot 60's bands, by heart. My mom loves all the Rogers and Hammerstein musicals and we kids do too. Our family favorite is "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" ("South Pacific" is a close second!). We know all the songs and parts and there is rare a time that a song or line from that movie doesn't come up when we're together or chatting on the phone. I think I can thank my grandpa for a love of this movie, and music, as well. All of us sing and we enjoy it. My mom and my siblings have been a little more confident in their abilities than I. Those who can hear me in the shower are in for a real treat! ha ha ha I've enjoyed, and will continue to enjoy, teaching my kids the wonder and importance of music. They both sing and have beautiful voices. I like to make up little songs for them and eventually they begin to sing them too. They also make up their own funny little songs. I love it!
I love all kinds of music, for the most part. I'm thankful for this love and I'm thankful music exists in all its various forms.

Are You Ready?

Friday, November 21st--I'm ready for Christmas, how about you? Yes, I know Thanksgiving is still coming up but I'm just ready! Weather permitting, we're putting up Christmas lights tomorrow. This year I'm missing the Northwest quite a bit so we may go out and get a real tree (gosh, I love that smell!). I bought some new holiday Scentsy scents: Snowberry and Winter Wonderland(?). They're great! I've been listening to holiday music, on the radio, since November 1st and am only tired of "Feliz Navidad" (blech!). Our Christmas shopping is coming along. I bought some candy cane, white chocolate Hershey Kisses (soooooo yummy!). What can I say, I've got the Christmas spirit! ...........and it feels wonderful!
I feel a lot of gratitude. Nate and I are very blessed and we know Heavenly Father watches over our family. Our Bishop challenged all the members of the ward to be frugal this Christmas (stay out of debt when considering Christmas presents). What that means for Nate and I, we're not sure yet, but it's something we've thought a lot about. I'm thinking of inexpensive craft ideas to do this year, I have a few but am open to suggestions as well.
Seasons Greetings and Happy Holidays!

My Cousin, Ashlee, the AMAZING Artist!

Wednesday, November 19th--I hope my cousin, Ashlee, doesn't mind. I'm going to give her a little plug. She is a fantastic artist. I'm not sure which side she inherited her talent from (not from the Blackburn side!). I asked her to do some sketches of my kids for Christmas. She chose the photos and then turned Elise into a fairy (her specialty) and Brady into an angel. I LOVE how they turned out! She has a very special gift. I'm jealous. If anyone is interested in her doing some sketches, she lives in Lehi, UT (nearby my house), and she is very affordable. Take a look! First is the photo she chose to work with and then the finished product. I have to re-scan the art in order to be able to click on it and see the detail but you can see pretty well as it is. Amazing! Love ya, Ashlee!

I Feel SOOO Naked!

Wednesday, November 19th--Eewwww! It's bad enough I have to look at myself naked, don't you be picturing me in your mind, you sicko! ha ha ha
Clear your mind and offer me a little sympathy at this difficult time........yes, so difficult (crying a little, need a minute......). I, uh, accidentally, left my cell phone in my jeans today and threw the jeans in the wash with the rest of my clothes. My cell phone got washed and is no longer functioning. (a few more tears coming..........) The dearly departed cell phone was the coolest! It had so much life left to it, I'd only had it for a year. It's red, takes pics, had awesome songs I downloaded as ringtones, the list goes on and on....... I've had various cell phones for the last 12 years and this has never happened--none of them have broken due to stupid mistakes. I just pray all the phone numbers, photos, downloads, etc. are retrievable.
So yes, as crazy as it sounds, I felt "naked" as I was running errands this afternoon and evening without my cell phone. I guess I'll be making a trip to AT&T Wireless tomorrow. Cripes!

Picky-Pots!

Wednesday, November 19th--Okay, so last night, for dinner, it was a pathetic sight. My kids have decided they are going to be picky eaters---Brady not nearly as bad as Elise, in fact he's getting better. Granted, both Nate and I are picky eaters (me, of course, liking all the bad foods for me and hating most of the good ones). My pickiness is because I've tried things and just don't like them.
When Elise was a toddler we fed her everything we ate and she loved it all. I was so excited at the thought that my child would probably not be picky. How wrong I was! Over and over again, she would like something one day and refuse to try it the next. Over time I just lost patience and stopped offering or forcing her to try it. Brady has always been a good eater (obviously!) but he seems to follow Elise's lead on many things so he's been trying to be more picky but we've discovered he can be "bribbed" with things such as Xbox or Matchbox cars, etc. (not the most effective way but it works for now). Well I'm at a point that I'm just so sick of making two to three meals for dinner. I know a lot of it is my fault, I should have put my foot down a long time ago.
Last night I made spaghetti. The very word puts Elise into this tantrum-throwing monster so I gave it a new name. She likes pasta, "pizza" sauce, melted cheese and sausage so I told her it's a new dish called "pizza pasta". She was quite skeptical, which made Brady skeptical. I told them both they could earn some time on the Wii if they would just take a few bites. Brady did right away and decided he liked it so he finished his plate. WOOHOO! Elise, on the other hand, holy moly, what a drama queen! I told her she needed to eat two big bites and then she could be done. She held that fork with the first bite for over an hour, making up excuse after excuse "I need a drink", "I have to go potty", "My head itches", "Brady won't stop talking to me", "Bohdee keeps licking my feet", etc., etc. Finally, Nate and I had enough. Nate picked her up and was taking her to her room when she promised she would take a bite. She sat there again for another 15 minutes. It was only when we turned on the Wii to play a game of family bowling did she realize we meant business. She couldn't stand to be left out! She took a bite and rather than gagging she went........."mmmm, this is good!" An hour and a half later, tantrums galore, only to find out if she had just tasted it in the first place she would have loved it all along. OH the humanity!

A Visit to Danika at Home

Saturday, November 15th--After leaving "Disney on Ice" we headed over to Dustin and Crystal's house so Nate and Brady could see baby Danika. They just got home from the hospital this afternoon. Brady was feeling much better today, definitely making up for the energy he had no desire to exert yesterday. We asked if it was okay to bring him over and they said it would be fine, just to keep him away from Danika's face. We lucked out, he didn't really want to be around the baby, instead he ran laps around their kitchen! Silly boy! Crystal looked pretty tired--Danika's a hungry little girl! She wants to nurse a little more than expected. She slept the whole time we were there. She looks like a very, sweet little angel! My heart just melted when Nate was holding her. He's so wonderful with babies, he really enjoys cuddling and holding the little ones. Hopefully, he'll have one of his own, again, in the next year. Elise was a little on the grumpy side so she didn't want to hold Danika. Between Energy Solutions Center and the Trax station she lost her most favorite blanket, one she has had for almost 4 years. It was very upsetting to her so we promised to stop at Target or Walmart after we left Dustin and Crystal's house to get her a new one. She picked a soft, pink "blankie" and all is well with the world again!

While holding Danika we talked about her name and how they came up with it. Danika, or Danni (sp?) as she'll be known, is named after my father-in-law, Dan. I sure both of them will agree what an honor it is to share their name with each other. Dan is an incredible man and deserves to have this beautiful little girl named after him. I have no doubt she'll live up to the honor! Danni is the 9th grandchild born into the Dan & Rosemary Armstrong family. They now have 5 grand-sons and 4 grand-daughters.

Here's some pics of Nate holding Danni---so sweet! I got the tear!:

Disney On Ice

Saturday, November 15th--In case you didn't figure it out already, when we can't make it to Disneyland we get our "fix" by attending "Disney On Ice" every year. This is a great show and we love going. This time the theme is "100 Years of Magic". How that can be, I don't know since Mickey Mouse wasn't created till the 1920's--unless the celebration is Walt Disney's 100th birthday (not sure when he was born). Anyhoo, we decided this was one of the best ones yet--aside from the "Disney Princess on Ice" that Elise and I attended earlier this year. Nate got us great seats on the 10th row, front and center. We really love seeing the kids react to everything. They jump up and down when their favorite characters come out. They love seeing the fireworks. Every time I go I wonder if either one of the kids would be interested in taking ice skating lessons. One of these days I should look into it, see if there are any around and how much.
If you've never attended one of these, and you're a Disney fan, I HIGHLY recommend you go and take your family or friends. We usually do a matinee showing and get inexpensive seats. Here's some pics (you can click on them to get more detail):