No where to go but UP!

So it’s really been seven months?  Truth be told I can’t believe I am contemplating continuing the blog.  In March, I was thrust back in depression and questioning why so much happens to us, when I felt like I was just climbing out from having Levi, my dad’s death, and Mike getting MRSA.  I will give you a brief outline and explanation, but from here it’s only upward and onward… knock on wood.

After Mike’s MRSA, we heard from the police department that Mike would be eligible for the police academy in January.  Mike and I both thought the heavens had opened and our stress and desire for which career path to follow had been answered.  I strongly felt like God had changed the academy’s timeframe just for him, because of the MRSA.

During one of the self defense classes in late February, Mike was learning a move.  As he completed the move in front of his instructor, he was suddenly picked up and dropped, simultaneously being fallen on BY the instructor.  (The instructor, seeing Mike do the move incorrectly fell on him… showing him what could happen if he did the move wrong… I’m guessing in a fight with a perpetrator?  I’m not sure, I can’t imagine why a perpetrator would fall on him instead of running away!!!)  That being said, he broke Mike’s rib.  Through many doctor visits, it was determined that the instructor broke his rib.  When Mike turned in his paperwork stating so, he was given notice he was fired.  (From some research I am finding out this is normal procedure with the police and fire departments.)

The middle of March through April was very tough.  We would both file our unemployment together every Sunday.  Thinking I was humbled already, it was surprising HOW low I could go.  It showed me really how great we once had it, career-wise. In April, Mike found employment, once again installing audio and visual equipment in Salt Lake.  In July, I was rehired by Mueller Park Junior High, as a part-time secretary. 

All I can say is that the Lord works in his time.  My outlook is getting brighter.  I can see the Lord answering our prayers, slowly but surely.  Hopefully, there’s nowhere else to go but UP!

Love Notes

You are sweet
I love you mom
so so much
I like brownie
I like my room
I like my coat
I like game
by Abby to mom

I am
sorry.
mom
I did
it.  I didn't 
mean to.

Oh I love these!  Here are two samples of Abby's writing.  We are getting notes about EVERYTHING.  I wish I had one of her "no-love note".  They are funny to me.

I have thoroughly loved being her mom!  She still surprises me :)

"Pathetic" used to be my middle name...

You know, I'm starting to wonder how to make my blog interesting.  Lately it's just been a giant, morose log on all the unlucky, sad things that have happened to us.  Michael Jackson's favorite song, "Smile" came to mind.  No, I'm not gonna sing and I'm not going to feel bad for myself.

Do you know that I've been sleeping a lot lately?  Not just a nap, but I have had to hustle every day to shower before I pick up Abby at 3:30pm...  As in I go to sleep around 1:00am, sleep till 8:00am, take the Ab-ster to school, come home and sleep, watch "the chew" (have you seen it, it's SO refreshing!), shower during "the Talk," and fly to the school to pick up Abby, then back to the house to have another nap.  I have never slept so much in my life!

The house was filthy, the laundry piled up, and stuff fell through the cracks.

Interestingly enough, I ran out of anti-depressants and for some reason I am now getting back to my old self.  I vacuumed yesterday...  had to empty the canister on every floor, yuck, cleaned the bathrooms, laundry is up-to-date, and I have a speedy new "home-do."  Today I only had one nap, but I think that was because I didn't go to bed till 4:00am last night.

Personally, I think the anti-depressants made me feel laid-back, laid back enough that I felt I could wallow in filth. Don't get me wrong, it was fun for awhile... but two months? Now, that's pathetic!


My "New Home-Do" Hair, Makeup - 20 minutes!





My Side-Kick, Wingman, and Girl's Best Friend, "Billy"



Abby, isn't she getting big?

Seriously, lock me up and throw the key away...

Yes, I know you haven't heard from me for some time.  I have placed my blog on my "to-do" list this year.  Last year, I did SO well with my "New Years' Resolution"...  I'm actually proud of myself.  What did I do last year, you ask?  I wore fun dangle earrings ALL year!  I wanted to do something I normally don't do and actually accomplish it all year.  (I think I may go back to lobe-hugging rhinestone earrings this year...  I know, I'm wild and crazy!)

Back to my topic at hand.  Yes, I haven't been in the mood to blog.  From my last blog Mike had the ultra-sound and couldn't find any blood clots.  He went to a sports medicine doctor and physical therapy.  Long story short, it got worse.  We found out it was MRSA (staph infection that is antibiotic resistant).  He had emergency surgery and a pic-line in his arm.  It gave me the herbie-jeebies, but I am relieved he is alive.  By the time they caught it, it was septic.  

In November the unthinkable happened...  I was fired.  I haven't ever been fired.  It is all consumingly humiliating.  No, I haven't found a job.  I have had more time with Abby in the afternoons, which is great; but, I wish I could say I have cleaned my house top-to-bottom, but I haven't.  I wish I could say I am up on my laundry, but that would be a lie.  What have I done?  Sent in resumes, cooked new recipes, and slept.... a lot!

The upside of the last couple months is that we have seen so many blessings.  I know my Father in Heaven knows me and my family.  Our neighbors, friends, and family helped make Christmas wonderful and made us feel very loved.  (Isn't that what Christmas is for?)  Mike is starting a new job on Monday.  He was hired by the Salt Lake City Police Department and will be attending police academy for the next five months, then he will be a patrol officer.  We are ecstatic....  however, if my stress doesn't go down, he will need to lock me up and throw away the key!

With everything we have gone through, I really feel lucky.  I have Mike and Abby, we love each other and we are healthy.  I have a beautiful home and vehicles that work.  It could be worse.

Another Installment of Medical Mysteries

Mike woke up two weeks ago with a knot in his calf.  After several days, some massaging, and babying the knot went away.  He started running in the mornings again only to find that the pain/knot returned in his left leg.  Well it has now been two weeks and the pain has only increased.  He has iced it and heated it, he has lived on pain-killers...  his last resort was to go to the doctor.  I have to say I was surprised, Dr. Dave is just as stumped as we are.  He ordered tests at the local hospital to rule out a blood clot only to be more vexed.  The technician found no blood clot, but Dr. Dave is still leaning towards it.  SO here we are, waiting to be told if we need to start on blood thinners or go consult with a sports medicine doctor for more tests.

Mike didn't like that I took pictures (just look at that muggin).  I want to know how he can look so cool while having an ultrasound.  I never looked that good...  oh wait, I was pregnant, couldn't pee, and felt I would explode!  Men have all the breaks...

In Honor of John Chapman, William Tell, Sir Isaac Newton, Steve Jobs.... and Cher

What do all these people have in common?  Apples.  Today I was at the grocery store and noticed to my delight, that the "Honeycrisp" apple is again available.  This is a big deal at our house.  The honeycrisp is very sot after.  I'm surprised we haven't penned a poem or hummed a tune to the delicious variety, or have we?

Honeycrisp, Honeycrisp

Chewy, chewy, chewy

Honeycrisp.... (again!)

Well all, if you want a crisp (it's even in the name), sweet, tangy, wonderful apple, I would pay the extra money for the best apple experience you will ever have!

...and as you sit and ponder everyone in the title and piece together why they are associated with my dear apples, you can be relieved that Cher has nothing to do with it, except I do like the song "Half-Breed" and have been singing it all night long... :)

Abby's Prayers

I'll tell you, I have Abby pray as much as I can.  Why you ask?  She has the most creative, interesting, informative, heartfelt prayers I have ever heard.  She talks about all the family members she has lost lately (pets included). How much she loves them and the circumstances in which they left.  She discusses how old we are.  How Jesus died for us so we can go to heaven and if she died she wouldn't go to heaven (no joke, but I think she meant if she took Jesus' place, she isn't the Savior, thus we wouldn't be able to go to heaven,  pretty deep...) and then hopefully she blesses the food...

Yesterday they must have talked about praying.  Here is her list: (Notice the great penmanship)

I thank thee...
Health
Lise (?)
Earth
Plants
Clothes
Family
Jewelry (my favorite)
Bright
Jesus
Toy

I ask thee...
Safety
Courage
Skin (another favorite)
Bag (?)
Plants
Family