It's For You

The other night at around 3:00 a.m. James' phone started ringing. I shook him awake to let him know. He got out of bed to answer it and said "It's your phone." I figured he was still sleeping and I knew it wasn't my phone ringing because it was on the bed next to me. I said "It is your phone so just answer it" and he did and said "Hello? Temaire?". Hahaha!!! In my sleep I had rolled over my phone and dialed his phone! hehehe Really, it would have been a lot funnier if I hadn't missed out on some sleep because of it. So, if I accidentally call you in the wee hours of the morning......sorry!

The Vests Have It

This week has been bad for running. By that I mean that I haven't done it. Poor Parker has been so disappointed, so I made sure to get up early enough this morning to go. Last Saturday he got new running shoes and I bought us both some reflector vests so we wouldn't get hit by a car. Today while we were running out by the fields I could see some lights coming up behind us. Five bicyclists came up behind us yelling "Great reflector vests!" and "We can totally see you because of your vests! Way to go!". Parker was over the moon about it. I was glad to know that they worked. On our way home as we turned on to the last street I let Parker go in front of me (instead of by my side) and he lit up like a Roman Candle. So glad that they work!

Pounding Feet

Darkness all around. A plethora of stars in the sky while farm fields surround me. Music sounding in my ears and my feet pound the pavement. Cool air caresses my skin as the dark shadows of my husband and son move in front of me. My new love.

That Is Just Wrong

I am in my room. Sliding door open. Front door open. Listening to the dog bark at the lawn care workers laying down our winter grass seed. All of a sudden I start gagging. The stench that was coming through the sliding door in my room was overwhelming. Turns out that in addition to the seed that was being spread was Steer Blend Manure! YUCK!!!! If you have not had the joy of smelling that smell you are so lucky. You can bet the doors were all quickly closed! As James and the kids walked out to the car to go to school and work everyone was plugging their noses and the kids were making gaging sounds. The workers laughed and said "It will only last a day". I am hoping that they are correct in their statement! It is so bad that the dog won't even go near it! We better have beautiful green grass this winter!

You Were Expelled?!

Last night my dad was talking on the phone with each of the kids. When they were finished I got on to say goodbye and my dad asked me if Ireland got expelled from school. I told him no and this is the story that unfolded.

Dad: Ireland said she got expelled because some boy called her a name and so she hit him in the face.

Me: Did you believe her?

Dad: Not at first, but she was adamant that this happened and she never changed her story so I was not sure.

Me: laughing.............no, she did not, she is pretty funny.

Dad: Tell her I am going to get her back.

We ended the conversation and I went in laughing to tell James. As I am telling him the story Parker bursts out in hysterical laughter saying 'That was me!!!!" He had pretended to be Ireland pretending to have been expelled! I laughed so hard, but nothing like Parker! It made his night!

I called my dad back to let him in on the joke. He said that he was going to get Parker back. We will see if he is successful. The joys of having a jokester in the family. My mom would know (my brother and hers), my grandma would know (her husband and son, grandson and great grandson). I guess our family has no hope!

I Hope No One Was Watching!

Last night I was working with the beginners at gymnastics when Parker came up and informed me that he and his friend accidentally locked my keys in the car. I would like to point out that they should not have even been in the car. This had to be taken care of quickly because in less than an hour I had to take Parker to soccer and then go the the Back to School night. Plus, I did not want to have to pay the after hours fee. My friend in the office called the locksmith for me and he came out pronto to fix the problem. $55 that I would have rather spend elsewhere. The problem then got bigger. I was informed that Parker and Cameron tried to open the door by putting a metal device in the lock and when that didn't work they tried a plastic spoon. The plastic spoon shattered in the lock thus rendering it completely useless. Did I mention that I broke my door clicker so I can't unlock it automatically? The only way in is through the back door. As a side note it is going to cost between $75-$100 to fix that particular problem.

So, on with my story. This morning I was at Pep Boys fixing something else wrong on my car (the lock still is not fixed yet) and I asked the workers not to lock the car when they were finished. Of course, being just like my children, they did not listen and locked the door. Now, I can climb in through the back window, but today it was full of boxes and toys to take to our new house (yes, we are moving....again) and so to get in I had to climb over said boxes. They rose almost to the top of the car, so there was a little wiggle room. I climbed up, and promptly lost a shoe to the great outdoors. Now that I was up to the top I had to get down to the bottom of the second row. Unfortunately, being so high up I slid down, face first, like I was going through the luge! I squealed as this was happening and I am sure I looked absolutely ridiculous! I then had to hop on one foot to go and find my flip flop that flopped to the ground. I know my face was beet red and I tried to avoid looking around, hoping that no one was watching. This better not end up on YouTube!

Where Am I?

Last night, around 10:30-11:00, I was sitting in our family room watching t.v. I heard one of the kids get up and come walking down the hall. It turned out to be Kearney. She was looking really confused and disoriented. I told her hello and asked her what she was doing. She just kind of looked at me and started playing with the waistband of her pants. I asked her if she needed to go to the bathroom and she turned around and walked in to the kitchen. Our family room is connected with the dinning room and kitchen. Kind of a wide open great room with a countertop in the middle. I stood up to see what she was doing and low and behold I saw her with her pants down, the garbage can lid up getting ready to sit on the garbage and go to the bathroom! I started yelling her name over and over and I ran over to get her. I guided her in to the bathroom while telling her that was the kitchen she was in. I was laughing so hard! She sat down (on the toilet this time) and finally started to wake up a bit. I told her what had just happened and she sheepishly started to laugh. I was laughing so much! It cracked me up. I know it has probably happened to all of us. We wake up, are disoriented and can't figure out where we are or what is going on. I am sure when she is older she will be thrilled that I posted this, but it really was great!

Yuck!

Yesterday Kearney and Ireland and I were sitting out in the car waiting for Kylee to come out of the gym. Kearney had leaned up by me and all of a sudden a gross smell came drifting through the car. I wrinkled up my nose, looked at her (she was so guilty and you could see it by the look on her face) and said "stop doing that by me!". She giggled and then Ireland said "She does it all of the time at school". Apparently, during class, while surrounded by many students (there are 4 to a table), she just passes gas left and right! She doesn't care who is there! She laughed and laughed as Ireland told the story and was completely unrepentant. I tried to tell her how gross that is and that people don't want to be smelling her, but I don't think she cares! Yuck!

My Loss

For my birthday this June I hinted to James (told him) that I wanted a Kindle. I was pretty positive that I was going to get one and then James made a comment that made me sure he was not getting one. I remember thinking that if he didn't I was going to go out and buy me one. Well, on my birthday I was informed that I was getting an IPad! I was excited because I got all that went with it in addition to my Kindle! I loved it and so did my kids. Well, today, it slipped off of my lap and the screen busted in to a million pieces! I was talking to James on the phone (he is in Tucson) and I broke down. I was missing Utah and really not wanting to be away from family and then I added the loss of the IPad to that. I could not stop crying! I went in to the store where I bought it and found out that we had purchased an accident protection plan. Whew! The only problem was that almost as soon as we had purchased the IPad I realized all of the things that we could not do on it, and our computer was so old it wouldn't do anything. So, today I upgraded my IPad in to a MacBook Pro. I really do like it, but I am not able to have a kindle on it. The one thing I really wanted for my birthday is now gone. All of the things that I can do on this computer are great, but I can't read my books! I was in the middle of a wonderful book, and I am stuck not finishing it! So now, I am telling the kids to hint to James (i.e. tell him) to get me my kindle as a present for Christmas. Keep your fingers crossed!

So Bummed

I thought my kids school started on the 29th of August but I just found out it starts on the 22nd. Do you know what this means?! I have to go back to California a week early! I am not sure why, but that week seems like a big deal to me. I don't want to go back then. Here are some of the things I am going to miss. My family, a race that my sister and I were going to run (this would have been my first race....sob), my family, my baby nephew being born, my mom and sister-in-law's birthdays, less time in El Centro with James gone (he is going to Tucson for work), my family, the cool weather and did I mention my family? I am really bummed about this. So bummed that in am close to crying. 4 more weeks is all I have left. :(

Picture This

I have a story I would like you to picture. A day with 8 children. During the day there is playing, fighting, teasing, screaming, crying, laughing and sometimes complete disobedience. The children are out swimming in the warm summer sun (you know it is not in El Centro because I did not say 'hot summer sun') when one of the many is getting a lecture from their mother. In the middle of said lecture the child turns around and just jumps in to the pool. The mother, having lost all patience jumps in to the pool, fully dressed to haul the child right back out. As she is jumping in she hears gasps from all around, one of which came from her mother, the child's grandma. The mother throws the child to the ladder, (really, it was not a throw because water is up to the child's chest, so it was more of a push) and unceremoniously hauls the child out of the pool and reads them the riot act as well as the other 3 that belong to her about minding, not screaming and fighting. One of the nieces says "Aunt so and so, did you know that you jumped in to the pool?". Haha. Welcome to a moment in my life.

Bring On Summer

Summer in Utah. Warm weather (not scorching). Days at the Rec Center. Parades. Fireworks. Dog shaking in fear because of said fireworks. Bar b ques. Shrimp boils. Family, family and more family. New babies (not mine!). Swimming and tans and sun screen. I love summer!

Moving

James came in the other day and informed me that our rent was going to be raised effective June 1st. I was not thrilled with the amount that they were raising it to. Really, I don't want to pay more in rent that I would pay for my own mortgage. You might wonder why I don't just go and buy my own house then. Well, I don't want to live here forever. Our goal is to get back to Utah ASAP!!!!! If we buy a home down here it would be harder to just pack up and go when that glorious day comes. So, we have decided to just rent. James moved in to this house a year ago this June, but the kids and I didn't move in until the very end of August. We have only been unpacked for 8 months! That has not even been enough time for me to feel like this is home, and now we are having to move. My first thoughts were "Man! I should not have spent all of those hours pulling gigantic dandelion roots out of the yard" and "I am so glad I did not pay to have spiders and weeds killed!". Heaven forbid I improve on someone else's house! lol Really, my first thought and comment was "Lets just move back to Utah since we have to move". Unfortunately, we need money to live and as James doesn't have a job in Utah, my plan went down in flames.

So, renting in the Imperial Valley is not an easy thing. It is hard to find a place. Luckily we know someone who has a home that they are trying to sell that we are going to rent. We will be moving in the next few weeks. I know, it is risky. The house could sell quickly and then we would need to move again. I am keeping my fingers crossed that it takes a while and my eyes opened (and uncrossed!) for anything else. I am also not unpacking any unnecessary items. Don't want to have to pack it again in the near future. We also are going to have to buy school uniforms. Again. The kids haven't figured that out yet, and that are so not going to be happy about that. Just add it to the list.

Yay! Yay! Yay! I Love It!

So, I am in my second week of instructing the adult boot camp class. It is safe to say that when I first started I was TERRIFIED!!!!! I was very lucky that James was working days, so I had him there as emotional support. Each day has gotten easier. When I first started I was not doing the counting for everyone (just kind of letting them do their own), but I have found that they do the exercises better (less cheating) if I do it for them. I have also found that I am not nervous as I instruct them on what to do. The first day that I did the class I had a friend say he was going to come just so he could make fun of me (he was in the class with me when I was a participant). I told him to go home. He thought I was serious and did! haha!! When he found out I had been kidding he said that he would do the next class but didn't really think I would be able to work him out hard enough. First of all, can I just say rude!? However, I kind of felt the same way. At the end of the next class he was dripping sweat and totally out of breath! I had done it! I knew that if I could work him out hard (he is in pretty good shape and young to boot) I would be okay.

So, yesterday comes and I have a hard workout in mind for the class. I was worried that it would be too hard and I wasn't sure I would be able to do it! James had the day off, so he came and I really worked the class out. I even had James sweating, and that takes some effort. I have found that I push myself so much more in leading the class than I ever would just exercising on my own. I have also had people from the class say that it is harder than before I started doing it! Wow! I have had parents from the sidelines (some of these people look like they are in extremely good shape) say that the class looks so hard, and the lady who ran the class before (remember, she is pregnant) told me that when she comes back she wants me to do a class once a week so that I can work her out! I about passed out. This woman's body is in FANTASTIC shape (besides the little baby filling up her tummy! lol)! It was amazing to hear her say that she wanted me to work her out! I can't believe how much I am loving doing this class. I am surprised that I am capable of doing it, but I am thrilled that I am. It feels so good to be able to push myself and others so hard and to succeed! It has been an extremely rewarding adventure and I am looking forward to doing it for the next few months! Yay, yay, yay!!!!

April Fools

This is not an April Fool's day joke, but it certainly could be! Last night I found out that the gym I go to was going to cancel the adult class until later this summer. The coach that runs the class is pregnant (due in June) and having contractions. She has been told to just rest. None of the other coaches want to do the class (they have other classes that they are running). As the coach was telling me she looked at me and said "It will be canceled starting next week.....unless you want to do it!". So, low and behold I am subbing for her until I leave to Salt Lake this summer! That is about 30 classes!!! Holy cow! My whole entire life I have detested exercising and now I am running a class 3 times a week! Who would have ever thought that would be a possibility?! See, it could be an April Fool's day joke! I have to say, I am very excited and extremely nervous. I am worried that I would be able to make it fun or hard enough. And what if people walk in and look at me and say 'yeah, right! Like she can teach the class!'? Keep your fingers crossed for me.

Worries

Do you ever look around and wonder who is really happy and who is hiding sadness or pain? I have often wondered that. We can look at someone and think that they look like their life is wonderful but reality might be the extreme opposite of wonderful. It is so hard, impossible really, to truly know how someone is feeling or what their life is like.

I have had times when all I want to do is cry or curl up in a ball, but don't really have that option. There have been several times in the past week where I have just wanted to cry but because I am helping to coach little squirts I have had to be happy as a clam. Who knew I could be such a good actress. I did notice that when I was focusing on the girls I wasn't focusing on my own worries and problems. I suppose there is something to learn from that. Maybe when we are feeling down we should try to focus on serving others and see if that helps us with our own problems. It may not take them away, but might help us to have a better attitude when dealing with it. Just a thought.

Aches and Pains

What is up with my poor, almost 39 year old body? I am still having issues with my ankle (back to no exercising right now....sad.....), and now I am having issues with my wrist! I am not sure what I did to it (James thinks it is from gymnastics -doing it and spotting kids doing it) but it is in mind numbing pain all of the time. Really?! Come on body! Give me a stinking break! (and I don't mean my bones!)

Who Is The Bigger Dork? You Decide.

Who is the bigger dork? James or Temaire'? I have MANY stories that could swing the vote in either direction, however, I am going to stick to the following two. Please, I really want to know.

Temaire's story:

I float. I can not sink to the bottom of a pool. If I put my legs straight down and let go of the side they bob right up to the top. Right along side my head. James and I were at the Navy base swimming and he decided to see if a 10lb swimming brick would make me sink. If I sunk James told me to try and walk across the bottom of the pool. It took a bit of time, but I made it down to the bottom. I started to walk, made it a few steps, needed some air and I opened up my mouth and took a deep breath. Problem was, there was not air under water! I dropped the brick and went shooting back up to the top coughing and sputtering all over the place. James was in hysterics. You might wondering at my lack of common sense. Keep in mind that when I walk I am usually able to breath and it was just a habit!

James' story:

James was at work doing a double shift. It was a little bit after 2:00 a.m. He was taking the quads to the gas station to fill them up when he was stopped by a train. He put the car in park to wait. There were also two cars behind him. The next thing he knows he is waking up and there is no train, no cars behind him. Nothing. Well, he was still there so there was something! He figures he was asleep for about 30 minutes!

So, you decided. Who is the bigger dork?

Hysterical!

Last night, after listening to one of my daughters yell at her sister in her sleep (this lasted for about an hour, off and on) I finally fell asleep around 1:30. A little bit before 3:00 I was abruptly awakened by my husband, screaming out as loud as he could 'ONE!!!!!!!!!'. Not only was it done at an extremely loud volume (the word was bouncing off of the walls and my ears were ringing), but it was also done in a short, staccato form. I about jumped out of my skin!!!! As a general rule, James does not talk (or scream) in his sleep. I reached over and asked him if he was okay. I got absolutely no response. I laid there for a second and then burst in to laughter! I could not stop laughing!!!! All of a sudden I heard James laughing as well. He had yelled so loudly he woke himself up. He has been helping to run a pre-academy for people trying out for his team. I figured that he was dreaming about what he had done that day and was counting out for them while he was working out. Turns out he was actually yelling at his brother in his dream and said 'WES!'. We laughed for a bit and then I thanked him for making sure I would not be able to sleep for another hour or two. He then reminded me of something that happened when we were first married.

I have a lot of nightmares and one of those is a recurring one of a gigantic spider coming down from the ceiling on to my face. The problem is that I don't realize it is a dream. I am absolutely positive that it is real. When this happens I start screaming and pull my blanket over my head in a sweeping motion and then put it up in the air to catch the spider and fling the blanket to the floor. I then jump up from the bed just in case I missed the spider and quickly turn on the lights and have to check all over the place to make sure there are no creepy crawlies around. Imagine how thrilled my missionary companions were at night! lol

So, back to my story. We had been married a couple of weeks and I had neglected to inform James that I talk in my sleep (he had found out by the time this story unfolded) or that I have many nightmares, my spider one included. We were sleeping and I had the dream and responded in the same fashion that I just wrote about. He thought someone had broken in to our house and was getting ready to attack! He jumped out of bed and ran to the living room to do whatever damage he needed to to fend of the attacker......never mind that his side of the bed was closer to the door than I was and I had not left my side of the room. If someone had broken in and I was screaming because they were attacking me wouldn't they have been in our room? He was tired and wasn't thinking. Once he realized that I was dreaming and someone was not trying to kill me he tried to show me that there were no spiders around. He was not thrilled about being woken up that way, but has gotten used to it. By the way, how would you have liked to be our neighbors in our apartment complex with the thin walls?! haha

Last night, after we finished laughing (it took me a while. I kept thinking about it and would start to laugh again) he told me that he was just getting even. I guess it worked!

Beautiful!

I recognize that you might think this blog would be about me, considering the title. Thank you for that kind thought, however it is more about where I was. I went out walking today. I found out yesterday that I can walk outside and go fairly far and not hurt too much. I tried to run, but after two measly steps my body informed me (I really already knew it) that my ankle was no where near ready for running. So, I went out today for a little over an hour. I exercised/walked for 4.2 miles and did a warm up/cool down for .6 miles. I noticed several things as I was out today. I love watching Chancho make the burm owls fly from one side of the field drain to the other. As soon as they land they blend right in to the dirt. If he didn't scare them I wouldn't even know they were there. They are soooooo cute! I also love watching the fair workers put up the rides for our county fair (it starts next week). I always think it is fun to go to the fair and I love that we can see it from our house.

We also have a storm coming in so it is really windy. When I turned West I was almost knocked over! It was like walking in a gigantic wind tunnel! I saw a huge hawk flying in the wind and figured that is one of the joys for birds. He was bouncing up and down and tipping from side to side. I could just imagine the joy that bird felt as it was doing what God made it to do. I saw egrets flying and teeny-tiny birds. The sky to the South was blue and sunny with fat, fluffy white clouds. To the West it was slightly dark with white clouds in front with the Blue Angels practicing their show (so can't wait for March 12th!!!). To the North the sky was dark, but not all one shade of dark. It was multiple colors with some areas looking like someone had smeared the clouds down towards the ground. Towards the end of the walk I started to feel raindrops (rare in the valley). It was a fantastic walk! So much better than being on a stupid treadmill. Added to the scenery was the smell of all the things that are growing in the fields that surrounded me.

While I am wishing that I could exercise the way that I had been before my accident I am profoundly grateful to be able to get out and get exercising again and to be able to do it in such beauty. I am soooo grateful that there is no snow! haha I love all of my family that is stuck in snow, and wish that it would go away for them, but I am glad not to be in it! For sure I will be a snowbird when I am old.

Serious Complaining

I am sure you don't really want to hear more complaining from me. However, since this is my blog, I am going to do it to anyway. When we first moved to California I had a hard time adjusting. I was so sad all of the time. Last March I started exercising (for real, and not just here and there) and I started to feel a difference in how I was feeling. I found that my classes and also helping coach gymnastics helped my attitude so much. Well, from previous posts you know that I have hurt my ankle. In two days it will have been 4 weeks. I was researching sprains and there are three types. 1st, 2nd and 3rd levels. I have level 3. It of course is the worst. I have torn my ligaments and am still in a lot of pain. I got on the treadmill today and it hurt so bad to put my foot in my shoe. I got walking (so slow!!!!) and had to hold on to the handles so that I didn't hurt my foot or fall off. I started to cry and cried through the whole exercise. It was hurting, but I was crying because of not being able to do what I want to. I was running and doing gymnastics and now I can barely walk and I have to hold on to even do that. It is very discouraging. I know that it takes time to heal, but I have not idea how long this is going to take and I really want to get back on track! So, now that I have my crying and complaining out I will try to avoid doing it about this particular item again. I can't say I wont complain about anything else though!

6 1/2 Hours

Parker had a Tae Kwon Do tournament today. Four different cities were competing from Mexico, Arizona and California. We got there at 9:00 and left at 3:30!!!! Yes, 6 and 1/2 hours! How long did Parker's part last, you might ask. 15 minutes! I LOVE watching him. What parent doesn't? But there has got to be a better way to do this! I had 3 other kids (not to mention Parker when he wasn't competing) and we had to watch all belt levels do the first part (forms) and then the higher belts do their weapons and then the red belts do a performance (I was pulling my hair out by this time) and then they finally moved on the the sparing (Parker's favorite part). You might ask how I did it (2 of the girls were sick). Portable DVD player, movies, dsi's, food, ipods and coloring books. It was like packing to go up North for the summer! I think that they should do all the events by belt, then nobody has to stay and watch people that they don't know or could not care less about. By the way, Parker took 2nd in forms and 3rd in sparing. He had a blast. He got one kick in that hit the other boy in between his legs. All of the men around me groaned in response, but that kid ended up winning! lol

J.B. Fever and I AM SICK OF MY ANKLE!

So, on Monday James and I took the kids to see 'Never Say Never' for Valentines. For those of you who are not tweeners/teens, it is the new Justin Bieber movie about his long (16 years) life so far. I was totally dreading it. Two hours, give or take, of listening to and watching Justin Bieber. A true sign of how much I love my girls. I left liking him a lot more than I felt before I went in. Now, don't get me wrong, I have never hated him. He plays good songs for the kids, but not anything I am going to listen on my own. I can see why there is so much Justin Bieber fever! He is a cute kid with a lot of talent! I am totally good with having to listen to him while my girls sing and dance to his music. What I did find hysterical was all of the squealing and yelling from all of the girls in the theater, my three girls included in that. Who knows, I might even take them to a concert the next time he comes to San Diego.

Now, I have to say, this next part of my blog is driving me crazy! I am so sick of my foot hurting and still being swollen! It has been 3 1/2 weeks since the initial injury. Yes, I say initial because last night I kind of re injured it by being an idiot while helping to coach gymnastics. I am an idiot. Anyway, I am so tired of not being able to do the things that I want to. I have dreams that I am running and think 'My ankle doesn't hurt!' and then I wake up and am reminded that it was just a dream. I was looking out my window and saw a guy running along the fields and I could feel myself glaring at him. James is in San Diego right now, probably running along the beach and I am blogging about how I am not able to run! How fair is that?! I know, life is not fair, but seriously! This is not fair! So, who knows how long I am doomed to watch everyone do what I want while I sit on the sidelines or am only able to help coach in small ways.

My Ankle Woes

Last Wednesday I was at the gym finishing my class (taking not coaching). Our final exercise was to run around the floor 10 times. I was on my last lap when I stepped in to a hole (covered by a mat) and rolled my ankle (hard) I was going fast enough that I didn't just stop. I kept running and had the choice of hitting a coach who was sitting on a piece of equipment or smashing head first in to a mirror. Which would you choose? I chose Rudy. I smashed right in to him and then felt myself falling. I didn't want to hit the cement floor too hard (I was already injured and didn't want to add more injuries to it) so I hung on to Rudy and pulled him down with me. I did everything I could to not cry! It hurt so badly! After a few minutes of my head hanging back with my eyes closed I opened them to see a million people - okay, slight exaggeration- standing over me staring with concerned eyes. I looked down at my ankle and saw what looked like a gigantic goiter on the right side! I could not see how I was going to drive my kids home when it hurt like crazy to even think of moving it. I tried calling James to find out where he was (over an hour away) and as I was trying to talk to him they were trying to wrap my ankle. All James heard was LOTS of screaming! He was sure I had hurt my back again. (totally stinks to get old) We quickly ascertained that I needed help getting home. Two wonderful guys (Art and Saul) helped get me to Dianna's car (she was driving me home, Art took my car and the kids). I was joking that I could go home and tell James that I held two guys hands that night. Saul said if they ended up dead in bed people would know where to look. haha

They got me home and James got home a bit later. We waited until the kids got off to school the next morning to take me to the hospital. We don't have a doctor down here yet (we have only been here 3 1/2 years! Give me time!) . I had x-rays taken and it turns out that it is not broken, *just* a bad sprain. Several interesting things happened at the hospital. The doctor offered to give me a prescription for Morphine! What?! I take morphine, in the hospital, for my C-sections. I certainly didn't need that! Bring on the Vicodin! Hallelujah! We saw a prison inmate and his guard brought in, there was a Code red and all of the doors locked down. When I asked somewhat what that was she said 'A code red'. I gathered that from the speakers repeating over and over 'Code Red!', 'Code Red!'. Turns out it meant that there was a fire in the hospital. I was thrilled that they locked us in! We also saw a man rushed in by ambulance who had to travel 20 minutes to get there. During the whole trip they were performing CPR on him and they had to use the paddles twice. This all before getting to the hospital. Poor man died. :( It was awful. We also had to listen to a man swear over and over. I wondered if he had turrets, but it had something to do with his stomach. There was also a little girl (I would guess under six) who kept crying 'don't. That hurts. I want to go home'. That made me cry. All in all, a very interesting trip. You may wonder how I know all of this stuff. I listen, people! I like to watch and hear what is going on. Some might call that nosy. I call it being watchful and informed.

So, it has now been 6 days later. Yesterday I was able to start putting a little bit of pressure on my foot (totally paid for it last night). I am hoping to heal soon. I am missing my exercising! In fact, that is what made me end up crying at the gym. I was so afraid of gaining weight that I couldn't hold back the tears. At least I know where my priorities are!

T.M.I.!!!!!!!

I am not sure what has happened to our sense of privacy now that people are on Facebook and blogging. For some reason people seem to think that what used to be inappropriate for conversation with just anyone is okay to type out on the computer for ALL to read. I don't really want to know about your bodily functions and fluids. I also don't need to know about things that might be happening within a married relationship. I read something the other day and thought to myself 'I bet the guys we went to high school with that you are friends with on line DO NOT want to know that information!'. I wish that people would edit what they are writing and not just assume that everyone wants to know everything about all aspects of their lives. Too much information people!!!!!

I Did It!!!!!!......kind of.

Tonight in my tnt class I was working on my bridge. I know, you are thinking 'a bridge?! That should be a piece of cake!'. Well, maybe if I was 12, not 38 and did not have a crazy messed up back. I have been stretching and really working with my coach on getting up. Last week my coach informed me that I did not have enough strength in my shoulders to push and hold myself up. So, I have been working on that since then. Tonight, she helped me get up and had her hand on my upper back. I was pushing (with her help). The next thing I knew she moved her hand away! For 10 seconds I held myself in my bridge!!!! Wahoo!!!!! I was so excited! I still am! I am not all the way there yet, but please keep in mind where I was when I started this class (about three weeks ago). I could not get my back up in to any kind of bridge (too tight) let alone hold myself up! Yahoo!!!!

I Need Songs!

So, in addition to my tumbling class I am also running in the mornings. Here is my problem (well, I have many, but I will just stick to the one). I need more songs! I have a list of songs I listen to while I run, but I have discovered that many of them are not upbeat and fast enough for my while I run. I have a few that I LOVE. P!nk is one of my favorites to run to. I have a few of hers. I also love to run to Avril Lavigne, some Katy Perry. Pretty upbeat and fast. So, now that you kind of know my running tastes, I need some help. Do any of you know of any good music that I can listen to? Please, please, please give me suggestions!!!!

So Much!!!!

It has been a long time since I wrote and so many things have happened since the middle of October!

1. Kylee went to a sectionals meet and qualified to go to state. We went and she did fantastic! She took 8th place on vault and got a total over all score higher than at any of her other meets! She was amazing!!!!

2. Parker started Tae-Kwon-Doe. He has since moved from white belt to white belt advanced. He had a competition where he took 1st place in both areas that he was competing in. So much fun to watch him. He had to watch a bunch of other kids in between his two sessions. He looked so bored and I asked him if he liked watching it. He said 'No! This is boring! I like to do it not watch.'. I felt the same way! lol I loved watching him but really detested watching everyone else.

3. Thanksgiving and Christmas have come and gone again. :( I am really sad to have them over. I missed being with family up in Utah, but I have to say that I am getting used to a warm Christmas! Parker got a B.B. gun and James took him and Kylee out shooting on Christmas. You could NOT do that in freezing cold weather! Kylee asked if next year we could go up and spend Christmas in Salt Lake. I told her that if we did that her dad would be all by himself on Christmas. She thought about that for a minute and promptly said 'He can take vacation and come with us!'. We'll see what happens!

4. A stupid, ugly, pitbull attacked my dog. Just ripped him right out of my arms. Luckily a friend was there and was pounding that stupid dog in the head. She still wouldn't let go. I ended up having to stab her three times. It was awful! She still didn't let go until her head was slammed into the house several times. My poor dog was so lucky that his hair was long or his bum would have been taken off. The vet said that if he had not been in my arms he probably would have died. :( After three weeks of a cone around the neck, pain pills and antibiotics he is getting back to normal. It was extremely traumatic for all involved (4 kids, me, my friend and the dog!).

5. In addition to helping to teach gymnastics and taking the adult class I have also started taking a TNT (tumbling and track) class! I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it!!!! It is so fantastic! I am working on my front tuck (doing pretty well) and getting my bridge (tight back) so I can work on a bridge kick-over and then go from there. It is so much fun! I never thought I would be able to do it and so it is kind of nice to see some progress! (it also makes me feel a bit younger....until my body starts creaking! lol)

So, now I am back. I know, you have all missed me terribly! (at least I know this is true for my grams and gramps! haha)