Erin's book report

Erin had a book report due this week and has put a lot of work into her project. We made the animals, truck, hay bales, and tools out of air dry clay. I only made a few suggestions and then Erin took off with it. She made most of the animals and did all the painting. She did a great job and I think she'll get a good grade on it!

The two dogs in the book thought they were tasting "cotton wood candy". This was Erin's favorite part of the book.

The dog, who hates cats, ended up in the tool shed, during a rainstorm, with a bunch of cats.

The hero of the story in this scene is tied to a post and has cats hanging around and bothering him. The haystack is the cats home. The barb wire fence is suppose to be keeping a bull fenced in.

This is the truck the the dog "drove" into the creek with hay bales on the back. The dog's owner is suppose to be trapped under bales of hay. I'm not sure what happened to the arm and leg that were sticking out from under them, but the book report is done.

The book report project consisted of four scenes that the kids picked from their book that were to be narrated and displayed while they gave an oral report.

General Conference Fall 2010

During the priesthood session last night; we were encouraged to add a link to lds.org on our blogs if we hadn't done so yet. So I made it a goal for myself during conference, while I listened of course to the talks, that I would place in my blog a link to the site that explains my beliefs truthfully. There is enough out there that spreads untruths about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and its members. We need to make the truth available just as readily at hand for those that don't know our beliefs or understand. So for anyone who comes across my blog; I bear my testimony to you of the truthfullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ and the Book of Mormon. We have a living prophet of God at this time, Pres. Thomas S Monson who speaks with the Lord and testifies truthfully of Him. The temples of the Lord are homes of refugee and are filled with the spirit of our Savior. I urge you to pick up a copy of the Book of Mormon and read, with pure intent, to know for yourself the truthfullness of its contents and then pray to know whether it be true or not. I know that if you pray, with a real desire to know if these words are true, you will receive an answer to your prayers of this books truthfullness. I testify of these things to you in the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen.

goshute cave

So these pictures are reverse in order. The top picture is the end result of our hike to goshute cave over memorial day week end. The girls were real troopers because that is not an easy hike! You can see the opening of the cave on the picture with Lauren asleep on Derek shoulder. Lots of shale and small rocks to slip on. They did great! And Derek is super dad. He carried Lauren all the way back down to the car so she wouldn't slip and fall. Shannon had help from me on the way down, but still did great! The girls got to see bats and actually thought it was cool. It was a great spur of the moment trip for our little family.

Happenings of Summer/Fall

Mom put together a "dinner theater" with our girls for their parents, grandpa, Aunt Laura and Uncle Adam. We got to see Little Red Riding Hood with Erin as "Red", Morgan as "BB Wolf", Shannon as "Grandma" and Lauren as " Woody Cutter".

We also saw the girls perform Goldy Locks and the Three Bears. Morgan was "Goldy", Erin as "Papa Bear", Shannon "Mama Bear" and Lauren, of course, was " Baby Bear". The girls helped make their costumes and I had some face paints to complete the look. So much fun!

I've taken the week off because Mom and Dad went to visit Kellie and Ryan in New Hampshire and I've really enjoyed spending all this time with the girls. I miss being able to take pictures on a whim and run around having fun with them. Luckily I got to transfer to a hospital closer to home and won't have to drive so far.

Shannon started Preschool and Lauren was sure she was on her way to class too. So we primped and gave her a backpack too. She was so excited to go to " Grandma school" that day!

I sent Erin and Morgan to school with "good grade" incentives for their teachers on the first day of school. I needed an excuse to make these cute cupcakes and Erin and Morgan's teachers really liked them! Erin's teacher liked them so much she took pictures of them. I think they're adorable and they were fun to make!

the things my kids say and do...

I don't have pictures yet for my stories because I'm at work tonight and nothing else to do, so I'll tell you what's been going on at home. Morgan has had trouble lately with some cousins and not feeling really good about things, so I've been trying to encourage her in things she enjoys. She loves to sing her own songs at the top of her lungs. So a asked her "Morgan, do you like to write your own songs?" She said yes, rather shyly. I explained to her that some people do make a living writing songs and composing music for those songs. She got excited and said " I want to do that! I could do it on my days off from the circus!" For as long as I can remember she has aspired to be a trapeze artist and still wants that as a career. So now she wants to work for the circus AND write music/songs on her day off. I got Morgan her own little note book so she could write her songs down (as best a 6 year old can) and she felt pretty special! She also imformed me that she is planning on having 10 kids so she is going to be a very busy lady when she grows up!
Our dog Sam redeemed himself, I think, for the rest of his life. Lauren was outside playing with her sisters in the back yard last weekend. She usually stays put, but has been known to go back into the house while they stayed outside. I was asleep from having worked the night before and Derek was in the garage working on our suburban. Lauren left and the girls assumed she went into the house. Derek heard Sam barking but didn't think much of it because he barks at birds all the time. But he kept barking rather adamently, so Derek went to see what was up. You have to cross a bridge that goes over a canal to get up to our place and Lauren happened to venture down to the bridge. She hadn't crossed it but had gone up to the opening next to the bridge that allows you to go to the canal! Sam was barking at her because he couldn't get to her due to his shock collar perimeters. Derek ran down to grab her thank goodness before anything happened. So needless to say I don't like to sleep during the day when she girls are outside because I'm afraid she will wander off again. Im very glad Sam barked up a storm and Derek checked on him because it makes me sick to think of what could be. I love my Sam for that! Every kid should have a dog like him! And to thank him for this he's getting fixed in August. Sorry Sam!

HELLP!

Sorry, all my life seems to be revolving around these days is work and kids, so that's what I have to blog about. Anyway I had a crazy night at work a few weeks ago and four words pretty much sum it up...hellp, blaauuggg, goosh and waaaah..(I'll explain) I had a patient come in complaining of contractions. She was crying from pain and just didn't look like she felt well. I did her assessment. Nothing really stood out except that she was in pain and couldn't really pin point where her pain was, just all over. No cervical change, no contractions, etc. The doctor said to send her home with tylenol!! I was uncomfortable with that so I asked him if he was ok if I sent her down to the ER for some more workup but she checked out with us on Labor and delivery. He said you can if you feel it's necessary. I did, so I sent her down. Then I picked up another patient. It was her second baby and she wasn't feeling well and nauseated. I checked her and she was dilated to 10 cm and ready to deliver. I called the doctor and went back to the room. My patient said she was nauseated and had to throw up so I set her up a little and she threw up, then we heard a gush when her water broke and then a small waaahh! I look under the sheet and we have a baby on the bed! So she delivered without a doctor! FUN STUFF! So we get that taken care of and a little bit later one of our nurses comes up to me and says that the patient I sent down to ER is back on our floor because she has HELLP syndrome. HELLP stands for hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes and low platelets and is a very serious condition to have especially during pregnancy. She was a very sick lady and I'm so very grateful I followed my gut instincts and didn't send this lady home to who knows what. She was c-sectioned that morning because of it! So Yeah for me! (and her too)! So those of you I love, who are pregnant, go into the hospital if you think ANYTHING is wrong and don't let them tell you everything checks out and send you home if you really feel something is wrong.
Derek went to a Daddy Daughter dance that the elementary school held for the students and their dads or other special men in their life. They had pictures done for the girls and treats (a chocolate fountain much to derek's surprise). Morgan said her dad lifted them up in the air and slid them under his legs and out again. Other kid's dads where lifting them up, but not as high as her dad, according to Morgan. The girls had a great time and loved being with their dad!
The girls are learning their articles of faith before we will take them to disneyland. Shannon has to learn all 13 too so I think we are safe for a little while, I thought! She has just about mastered the first 3 and says them over and over to anyone who will listen. I'm proud of her! Lauren is even picking up words here and there.
Erin got a live bunny for her birthday and I'll have to tell that story later, but it's my own darn fault for not understanding someone with a thick accent. So now we have a dog and a bunny, a show bunny none the less!

Update...

I do way too many of these, but that's all I seem to have time for these days. Christmas was great since we got to stay home and just relax... not much of that going on these days. The girls told us that they didn't get what they wanted but that it was the best christmas ever. I think Santa just didn't care to worry about what the girls WANTED, but more of what he thought they NEEDED! 'nough said! I've been working a ton and really enjoying it, the actually work itself. Some of the staff are a little hard to take when a lot of them are so set against "Utah Mormons" and how they would never raise a family here! Yeah, I was the one out of 5 sitting there at the nurses desk listening to this and not really believing what I was hearing. Because I know for a surety that if I can hear them, their patients can hear them too and most of them are likely to be LDS! Anyway, enough of my soap box! Shannon is now 4 as of yesterday and she loved being queen for a day, but had been up late the last few nights and needed constant reminders of how we treat and talk to people (namely our sisters) when we don't get our way. Lauren is the snuggliest little thing and loves giving hugs and kisses to those she loves. Shannon was giving hugs to those who had given her presents yesterday and Lauren decided to get in on the action, so she just started giving hugs left and right to anyone who would take her...and who wouldn't take that kind of lovin'! Erin and Morgan went back to school today and Morgan promptly informed us that she didn't learn a thing today. Nice. Erin brought a book home from the library and has been reading it none stop! I must say I like seeing that. She also informed me that she wanted to walk the treadmill while watching a movie so she could get healthy. I guess that works. As long as it's not because she decided she was fat. I'm just praying that this year goes better than the last two we have been through, but I'm feeling optimistic about this one! Happy New Year to everyone, we love you....(and good luck!)