Memorial Day

On this Memorial Day I want to pay tribute to my parents.

My Dad served this country in the Navy during the Korean war and I'm so thankful to him and the millons of others who have served to keep our country free. The last two years have been really hard for him since my Mom died and one of the things he clings to is his memories of the navy.

It's hard to believe that on June 12th it will be two years since my Mom escaped from her long fight with cancer. I still miss her so much! I want her to be here to see my kids grow up and to hold my grandkids. And to laugh and be proud with me when Ethan walks into the room and says, "Hi Nana!" Or to pinch Logan's chubby cheeks and tell him how much he looks like his brother. Thank goodness I know that she is watching over all of her family and she still loves and cares for us. Families are forever!

Gradjeashun from edjamacashun

Yesterday we went to the high school graduation of a niece and nephew and Naomi is graduating next week so the whole process has been on my mind. I had to think way, way, back (24 years) to my high school graduation. Of course I had extra reason to be excited to be leaving the hallowed halls of Anaconda High School because I was getting married in three weeks. Besides that though, I remember being so happy to leave behind homework, tests and boring teachers. I was really looking forward to reading just what I wanted to read, and getting up when I wanted to get up, etc. I got my wish and a year later I was getting up during the night with my first baby (because I wanted to) and reading baby books (because I wanted to). It's all in the attitude!

Banana Smoothie

I had a CT scan yesterday on my kidneys. I was surprised when the nurse told me the day before to go to the pharmacy and pick up a prep kit. I was a little worried about what that might entail but happy to find out it just consisted of two big bottles of "Banana Smoothie Barium"! I appreciate the fact that pharmacists have come up with a flavor to try to cover the chalky taste. I had to drink half a bottle Wednesday night and then half a bottle at 7, 8 and 9:00 the next morning. By my 9:00 feeding it pretty much tasted like chalk to me and I wasn't allowed water to wash it down. I have to say it was filling though. I didn't go to the hospital hungry.

After signing my life away and Kent's future paychecks the scan began. Apparently the barium was so they could see what wasn't my kidneys because they inserted an IV and gave me some iodine. Before doing so the technician warned me it could make me feel warm, have a funny taste in my mouth and a funny smell, and/or make me feel like I'd wet my pants! I was hoping for the first three. Of course I got the last one. I'm so glad he warned me or I would have been freaking out (in my head at least) on the table.

The whole process only took half an hour and I still have no results. If I ever have to have the test again I think I'll wear a Depends just in case.

Matchy Matchy

Ever since Logan was born I have wanted to buy outfits for him and Ethan to match, but it has never worked out, until yesterday! From the picture you can tell Naomi and I were enjoying dressing them up more than they enjoyed modeling. Has anyone noticed that the boy's part of the baby/toddler section is a fourth of what the girl's is?

Mother-in-law Won't Leave!

Poor Aaron. His mother-in-law won't leave! That's what he gets for being such a good host. I was supposed to go home yesterday but I've extended my stay in Wyoming (with Aaron's blessing I might add). I'm having a good vacation and I'm not ready to go back to the real world yet. I know Rawlins, Wyoming doesn't sound like a vacation spot, but Katie feeds me and there is just enough shopping to do to satisfy us. Plus I have a heating pad and a good book. I miss my husband and kids though so I will eventually go home.

Dane's e-mail today was full of excitement. He loves his new companion and area and is excited to talk to us for Mother's Day on Sunday. The picture is Dane (Elder Jensen) with his new companion Elder Speirs.

Saturday in Wyoming

I am in Wyoming at Katie and Aaron's and since Aaron has to work today, Katie and I have to keep reminding ourselves that it's Saturday. I've been here for a few days hanging out with Katie while Aaron works 12 hour shifts. We've been crafting and lying around which could account for the fact that I am probably the only one in our family's Biggest Loser competition that has actually gained a pound! Grrrrrrrr! Anyway, I appreciate my family holding down the fort while I'm on vacation!

Here is a picture of Naomi at her first day of work at Lee's Marketplace. Kent just "happened" to stop there for some milk and just "happened" to end up in her line with his camera phone. :0)

She said she wasn't too embarrassed.

Changes

I might not seem like a person that likes change, but I actually do. Most of the time. Depending on what it is. My Grandma Higgins always said, "A change is as good as a rest." I think she got that from her mother and she passed it down to my mother who passed it down to me. That's the reasoning behind why I used to change my living room around monthly. The older I get the less I change it just because I'm getting old, but I still love a change.



Dane is going through a change today. He's being transferred to a new area for the first time since he's been in Costa Rica and he'll have a new companion so that will be a lot for him to get used to. A couple of months ago he stayed in the same place and just got a new companion and that was hard enough. As he said in the email we got from him last night though, he's "pumped" for the change.



Naomi is beginning a new job today as a cashier at a grocery store in Logan so things will be changing for her too. She has experience as a cashier though so I'm sure she'll catch on fast after she gets over the new employee fears.