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I have had the hardest time getting Jessica's hair to grow. Mostly because she twists the right side while sucking her thumb and in so doing, the hair breaks or gets ripped out. We haven't been able to grow her hair out yet. I trim it up so it's not too uneven and we just keep trying. It is now the longest it has ever been which still is not very long, not to mention it is thin with a coarse texture so it has been a challenge to me. Two weeks ago, Jessica started playing with some physical therapy clay Jeff had. Thinking she was funny, she placed it on her head and said she was a clown. Then as she tried to get the clay out it matted down even more. I began to work on removing the clay. I was sure I was going to have to cut it out when I decided to slather it in butter and comb it out. It took about a half of a cube of butter, but I removed it.
Then today in the afternoon, I noticed some hair in the bathroom garbage. Ellie was close by so I asked her if she had cut her own hair. Of coarse she hadn't and she quickly found Jessica asleep on the downstairs couch and said "Mom her head is shaved on one side." I realized Jessica had cut her whole pony tail off. She was trying to cut out the rubber band as I often do, but she ended up cutting everything. When I asked her if we should cut all of her hair to match she said she liked it that way. After some convincing, I took her to Cookie Cutters for a salvaging hair cut. They did a cute job and the short hair seems to fit her personality.
So in the end, Jessica may never have long hair and I will keep the scissors away from her.
I went to physical therapy today was finally given permission to walk on my leg. No more crutches or brace, unless I feel that I may need them in a crowd or something like that.
I don't walk well mind you, my knee still feels swollen and I don't have the range of motion back yet, but hey, I have my hands back now since I don't have to hold crutches all the time.
Sunday, July 13th
Today is my 35th birthday. Wow, it seems like 35 is starting to sound old. Of coarse my birthday is on a Sunday so it wasn't that much of a day off (from church responsibilities.) Yesterday we went downtown to the Buddhist Obon festival; good food and dancing, it was neat to see. Our neighbors had a big role in the festival, they treated us well to many neat Japanese treats. Jessica and Ellie went to sit in the middle of the stage with their friends. My kids didn't look like they belonged with their blond hair and blue eyes. When we came home we noticed the kitchen sink was backing up and sure enough it was backing up in the basement also.
For my breakfast in bed that Jeff likes to give me on my birthday, I told him cereal would be fine. We would be limited on time in the morning and with the sink off limits I wanted as few dishes to wash as possible. Jeff brought me breakfast in bed; pancakes, fajita omelets and hash browns. I was curious about the food because it looked like nothing he had ever cooked before. He confessed he bought it from Jim's family restaurant and arranged it on our plates so it had a home cooked look to it. I thought that was clever and minimal hassle. After church we had lunch and the kids helped make a chocolate birthday cake for me. I opened my presents; new sunglasses, a blouse, flip flops and a gift certificate to a spa. Jeff tried working on our plumbing issues so I could get the dishes washed in order to make dinner. (we hadn't washed dishes on Saturday and almost everything was dirty) After some pipe cleaning attempts, we realized we would need a rooter company and it was decided that this justified eating out. We went to Mimi's Cafe for my birthday dinner and I enjoyed not having to cook or do dishes. When we came home, Jeff's sisters and mom came up to have cake and hang up some decorations for by birthday. ( Jeff's family has a natural talent for decorating that I can't come close to so I was grateful for some floral wall arrangements his mom and sister made me.)
Overall a good birthday, even though Jeff continually reminds me that I am older than he is. He has even trained the kids to remind me as well.
Blind meets Shy in the Bathroom
On the 5th of July we went to my Aunt Lorrie's cabin for an extended family dinner. We were down by the fire when my James and his wife Kris arrived. (Kris lost her eye sight to retinal cancer and has prosthetic eyes.) Kris was on the balcony of the cabin and she asked Jeff and I if Jessica was our daughter. We said "yes" and then Kris said if she needs therapy later in life that she will pay for it. Kris began to laugh and proceeded to tell us what had happened. Kris came in from the car and needed to use the bathroom so she went in the bathroom, pulled down her pants and proceeded to sit down on the toilet. As she began to sit, she felt little legs on the toilet underneath her own. She stood up and asked if someone was there, then Jessica spoke up and said she was going potty. Kris said Jessica didn't make peep. When Jessica came out of the cabin, she sat by me and I asked Jess what happened, Jessica said "Mom a lady almost sat on me in the bathroom, she didn't even see me." The adults kept laughing about the situation all night.
Sunday, July 6th
On the way to church Jessica asked, " Mom, do marshmallows lay eggs?". Jeff and I looked at each other and started laughing. What a smart question.
Don't take without asking
Thursday, July 10th
Jessica often plays with the twin boys across the street, Josh and Max, they are five. Jessica loves to snag treats from their house, they keep a good stock of drinks, gummy snacks etc. I keep trying to teach Jessica that she can't just open their cupboards and fridge and take things without asking. She needs to wait until the snack is offered or she needs to ask. I noticed I failed in this teaching when Jessica came home from her friends the other day.
I called the kids home for lunch. Jessica proudly walks in with a piece of pizza in one hand and a can of pop in the other. She said," I had lunch at Josh and Max's". I noticed the pop wasn't opened and I didn't recognize the soda. I looked at the can of soda and read, BUD LIGHT. I asked Jessica if she asked to have this pop, she was hesitant and then answered yes. I told her I didn't think she asked because I knew their dad wouldn't have given her a beer. We took the beer back so their grandfather could have his drink. We had a pretty good laugh about it. I again discussed with Jessica we don't take without asking.
Jessica keeps us laughing and on our toes.
20 Years ago I....
It was 1988, I was almost 15 years old. I had my driver's license for about a month and a half. I was finished with Jr. High school and getting ready to start Bonneville High School as a Sophomore. My best friend Julie Larsen and I loved going to summer church baseball games to check out the cute guys and I was big in the "youth stake dance scene" on Saturday nights. One of my favorite songs was "Endless summer nights" by Richard Marcs and "Make me loose control" by Eric Carmen. I babysat often on Friday and Saturday nights for the McBride family and often for the Fuller family. I dreamed about the perfect boyfriend and was anxiously awaiting my sweet sixteen so I could date.
10 Years ago I...
It was 1998. I was almost 25 years old. I had moved to Salt Lake in Jan '98 from Pocatello, ID. I was finally in my career as an LPN. I was working for IHC in the physicians division as a float nurse and in Aug of '98 I secured a position as the immunization nurse at the Sandy IHC health center in pediatrics. I have stayed with pediatrics ever since. I had been dating many nice guys for the last few months but had finally met Jeff. He proposed to me on my 25th birthday with a shiny silver gumball machine ring. For the rest of the summer we spent time making wedding plans and planning our future. Everything looks so perfect when the two of you plan it out in your minds. We hadn't thought of potential surgeries, financial struggles, four kids in four years, etc. It is a good thing that things don't happen how you mentally plan them out, there wouldn't be any surprises in life.
5 Years ago I...
It was 2003. Jeff and I were renting the house that we now live in and have purchased. Jeff was working crazy hours at Ebay 5am-2pm with wed. and thurs. off. He was going to school full time at night. I had beed working for a small company, Nite Time Pediatrics, for about a year. I worked 3-4 nights a week from 4:30pm-1:00am. Jeff and I had an evening together about every 10 days, I usually worked the nights he wasn't in school. It was a rigorous schedule but we didn't have to pay a babysitter. The boys were 3 yrs old and Ellie was 20 months. I was just pregnant with Jessica, although I didn't know it until August. All three kids were in nursery, I was just called to teach primary, Jeff worked every sunday so I took all three kids to church. We were busy but the kids were so cute and we grew stronger.
3 Years ago I.....
It was 2005. We were enjoying all four kids. The boys were 5 yrs old, Ellie was 31/2 and Jessica was 15 month. Jeff had graduated with his bachelor's a year ago (3 wks after Jessica was born). I was working at Primary Children's on the medical floor and picking up many extra shifts at the pediatrician's office. Jeff was in the middle of a job change so I worked all I could while he took care of all for kids and worked on job applications and resumes. Jeff and I went to Hawaii while my sister Julie came up to our house and babysat the kids for a week. Before we left Hawaii she asked us not to get killed in a plane crash as she was not ready to take care of four kids for longer than a week. Jeff got a job in th fall with ACS. We went on a family vacation to Disneyland, leaving Jessica with my parents and we stayed with my sister Julie in California. I was able to work less, the boys started Kindergarten and Ellie started pre-school.
1 Year ago I ...
It was 2007. I had just finished my goal of getting my degree as an RN. I was called to be Primary president at the end of 2006. With the help of Jeff and my mom the kids were virtually unscathed while I neglected house hold responsibilities and finished my RN. I was anxiously preparing to take nursing boards last summer and I was working many hours at Primary's orienting to be an RN. Jeff had been in a mountain biking accident the day before my graduation. He had surgery on his wrist and spent the the summer recovering from his shoulder dislocation and broken wrist. We went to Disneyland with all of the kids in the Fall and had a wonderful time. Jeff finished half of the basement and I was grateful the kitchen remodel had been done for a year. I had my first spa day, four hours getting a facial, pedicure and massage, it was wonderful.
So far this year....
We are enjoying ourselves with no school for Jeff and I. I continue working at Primary Children's Hospital but I just switched departments to the Wound Team. Jeff is working for a company called Blue Heath Care Bank. We have remodeled both bathrooms and are preparing to put the house up for sale. The boys finished second grade and Ellie finished Kindergarten. I had knee surgery three weeks ago to repair my ACL and meniscus. The whole family, as well as myself, is excited for me to get back on my feet and hopefully be able to get around like normal.
Jeff just finished his annual MS 150 race. It is a big event for him every year. Jonah and Mason are starting summer baseball and Jessica is starting T-ball. All four kids took gymnastics at the University of Utah from Jan-April.
Yesterday I...
Watched, help, supervised (????) the cleaning of my house. (I am still on crutches and limited on what I can do.) Jeff's sister, Laura, spent 10 hours at our house yesterday sorting and organizing the basement and other areas of the house in preparation to sell the house. We made huge progress and Laura worked very hard, Jeff's mom joined us in the evening and stayed for four house. It always nice to be able to report a successful day.
Today I....
Have been catching up on my blog. I am trying to finish a few odds and ends with our big clean yesterday. I plan on spending some time studying for my new job so I can get some hours at home. I hope to go grocery shopping, but am not holding my breath. Shopping is pretty difficult these days and we just keep making oatmeal or pancakes when I don't have anything else to feed the kids.
Later Tonight...
The boys may have their first baseball game, I'm still trying to get a hold of the coach. My parents are spending the night on their way through to Idaho. I hope to sleep will with minimal pain.
Tomorrow...
I have a Physcial Therapy appointment and hope I can progress to walking on my leg.
This year I hope to....
Keep my house as in order as it is today. Be able to walk normal be the end of the year. Avoid any more medical bills. Pay off the credit cards. Go camping with our family this summer. Have a great 10 year anniversary in Sept. I hope that I will be an Aunt to my two sisters children. Maybe sell our house and figure where we are going to live.
That's it from me. I tag Pam and Cindy.
