Gingerbread Houses w/the Kids

I decorated gingerbread houses tonight with Gracie, Brooklyn and Garrett. Gracie decided she needed to make a gingerbread house because she has a sweet tooth (that's what she told my Mom.) Someone (Mom I'm sure) told her I was the person she needed if she wanted to make one and so she's texted me video messages all last week telling me how excited she was to see me on Friday night to make a gingerbread house. So what else was I to do? The best part was that the kit I stopped and bought at Cosco on the way home from work was already put together so we only had to decorate it. SO MUCH EASIER!! I wonder how much of their houses they have already eaten.  Kids sure make the Holidays more fun.

Gracie is a happy girl!!!

Gingerbread House Decorating

The back of Gracie's House

Gracie's gingerbread man needed to be laying in the snow
and Brooklyn had to eat the legs off of hers so she
could be sure it wouldn't run away while she wasn't looking

Total concentration.  Brooklyn has green icing on her cheek

Garrett's Masterpiece.  He had to eat one of his gingerbread
men before he could go to bed that night.

Infections and More Infections

I now have thrush and a yeast infection in my mouth to go along with the staff infection I'm working on getting over. The doctor said they have probably gone down my throat which would explain the sore throat, hoarse voice and uncontrollable coughing (to the point of throwing up several times) the past few nights. Also Kyle has new sores and infection in his non-broken foot so he is wearing the boot on one foot and a surgical shoe on the other. We've spent more money on prescriptions for the 2 of us in the last month than most families probably do in a year. Wouldn't you think at some point in the past 3 years the health issues would have at least slowed down?

The hole from the staff infection in my leg.



In this one you can see a small amount of the bruising
 from the pressure they used to drain the infection.



I Am Grateful For...

• Kyle and the wonderful man he is and the great way he treats me and lets me know he loves me.
• My Heavenly Father - when I've had no where else to turn he is always there to listen to me and somehow offer comfort that things will eventually be okay.
• My aunt Kathy's positive attitude as she deals with the effects of Huntington's Disease.  I've never heard her complain and she is always so happy just to be with us.  What a great example for me.
• Jenny, Blake and their boys and the selfless way they have taken Kathy into their home and the love and care they give her.  We should all be so Christlike. 
• My Parent's and the unconditional love and support they always give us.
• My Dad for loving Kyle like his own son and taking him under his wing.
• My Family (extended too of course).  They are always there no matter what.
• The Willis Family - They have loved me like their own.
• My Friends - What would I do without their support?
• The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and the wonderful programs they have to help us.  I know I got my job because of the things I learned in the career class I took at the employment center.  They help so many people in so many ways.
• My new job at ARUP - I am working with wonderful people who make me feel so welcome.
• Modern medicine - I know Kyle wouldn't be here without it.
• Great pharmacist's at Sam's Club - Roger and James have been wonderful to work with us.
• Dr. Henninger - I asked him to perform a miracle and he did.  What more can I say.
• That Kyle still has his foot - Prayers are answered.
• The wonderful people I am working with - It makes going to work so much easier.
• A nice car to drive - It's nice to be able to drive to work in warmth.
• A nice place to live - Kyle's parents have been so generous in making us feel welcome.
• Technology: laptop, ipod, cell phones - what would we do without them?
• Nice clothes to wear
• Lilly & Button
• A comfortable bed to sleep in
• My electric blanket
• Alarm clocks
• DVR - I'm addicted.  I can't stand to watch commercials anymore.
• A comfortable pair of jeans - I would wear them everyday if I could.
• A soft sweatshirt - Especially on a cold winters day.
• Music - Especially the christmas music at this time of year.
• Mom taught me to crosstitch and do other craft things - I find joy in creating beautiful things.
• The answer to prayers in whatever way they come.
• The blessings that have been in every challenge and trial we have been through.
• Children - my nephews & nieces, and my cousin's little ones.
• Hugs from the above mentioned children.
• Britney who sends me cards just when I need them most.
• The Internet
• My wonderful grandparents and the life lessons they have taught me.
• Being able to live in the house Grandma lived in for 3 years.  I felt comforted by that during some very hard times.
• Marlee and her quirky sense of humor.
• Marijka and her willingness to help me out with all kinds of projects.
• Chocolate milk
• Pudding - rice, chocolate, tapioca - I'm not too picky
• Popcorn
• Hot soup on a cold day

There is much more I'm sure I can come up with, but it's WAY past my bedtime so this will do for now.  I hope you all took a minute yesterday to remember what you are grateful for.

Happy Thanksgiving

When I think of everything we have to be grateful for this year our families are inevitably tied to each thing. We never would have made it through the past few years without them and their love and support. We still have our struggles but we are in a much better place than we were last year at this time. In so many ways. We would be very ungrateful if today on Thanksgiving we didn't thank our family and friends for their love and concern for us. As I sit here in a warm comfy house getting ready to eat a delicious dinner my mind turns to those who don't have these same blessings. Especially our men and women who are serving in our military or are serving missions for the church and are away from their homes and family today. I hope they know they are loved and appreciated. I am also thankful that Uncle Robert's surgery went as well as it did and pray that the news continues to be good for him. Happy Thankgiving to you all.

The Move

For those of you who may not know I recently accepted a job at ARUP Laboratories in Salt Lake City.  Kyle and I made the tough decision to move to Salt Lake rather than me try to commute.  It has been hard to leave Grandma's house.  There has been some comfort to living there while we have gone through all the trials of the past few years.  I had it fixed up the way I liked and it is always hard to leave home.  It will be hard to see someone besides family living there.  I've lived in Wellsville for 36 years so this will be a big change for me, but I know it is what we are to do and I will be fine.  It's not like I moved to Connecticut like Brett and Chelsea.  I can be back in Wellsville in an hour and 15 minutes. 

Kyle's parents have a kitchen in their basement and generously offered to let us live there as long as we need to.  I started work today so we packed everything up last week and made the move on Saturday.  I have an amazing family (including Emily and Natalie of course) and they were so incredible last week as they pitched in with packing everything up.  Then on Saturday Darrin Roundy and some of the scouts from our ward came and helped load up everything going to storage and went and unloaded it.  Then my family loaded up the rest and came to Salt Lake.  We owe them all big time. 

Kat, Darren, and Brian met us and helped us unload everything.  Kyle's parents spent last week cleaning their stuff out of the basement so we have room for all of our junk.  They went above and beyond what I expected and we really appreciate all the work they have gone to, to make us feel welcome and at home. 

Things went well today for my first day.  It was orientation today and tomorrow so it's not like it could really go badly.  Two of the ladies I will be working closely with came and had lunch with me and I really think I will enjoy working with them.  They seem like wonderful women. 

Now we just have to unpack all these boxes and we will be settled in.