Merry Christmas from the Miller Family!

Don't know if I will be posting again until 2009. Have the Merriest of Christmases, and the Happiest of New Years!

Tubes!

Shawn has been sick since the weekend after Thanksgiving with an ear infection. I took him to the doctor in Shreveport finally on Dec. 8th, when all other options were not working. I also took Joey. By then Shawn had already taken 3 antibiotics, and on the 8th he was put on his 4th medication. By the 13th, when Shawn was driving home from work, he called me and said that he had so much pain in his ear, and that it was now hurting in his other ear and the back of his neck. He told me to call the dr on call and see what he needed to do. Of course, being a Saturday night and that we live 2 hrs away, the doctor told us to come in... to the ER in Shreveport. While he is finishing his journey home, I am frantic as usual trying to get things organized and situated for Josh & Lauren (Shawn's brother and wife just so happen to stop by, and she stays to help until kids are in bed), and get some things packed for Shawn & I. I guess Shawn could have gone himself, or even Josh gone, but I felt like I needed to go (good thing too because I *knew* all the answers... LOL!). Dr comes to look in his ear, and admit Shawn. He wanted Shawn on 12 hrs of IV antibiotic, do a CT scan, and possibly put a tube in his right ear. Sunday morning after the CT scan, the doctor decided he needed the tube. He then shot up Shawn's ear with novocain (? same stuff the dentists use), and did a "minor" surgery on Shawn ear right there in the room. I took pictures with Shawn's phone, but Shawn has yet to send them to me... I am sure they have been deleted. After the tube was in place, the doctor released him, and home we went. Shawn goes back to the doctor on Monday, along with Joey to get his pre-op stuff done, as Joey is getting tubes in his ears on Tuesday. I can't keep Joey well either with his ears. Back about this time last year, or maybe even at the beginning of 2008, Lindsey cried and cried all the time. Saying her stomach hurt ALL DAY EVERYDAY. I took her to her pedi doc, who recommended that I take her to Jacob's doc (so happens to be daughter/father team). Lindsey was checked for diabetes, as sometimes her bloodsugars were high, other times way low. Long story short: got her tonsils out, and checked for diabetes, which her numbers were on the *high* end of the *low* end... meaning she MAY can eventually get it but as of now her numbers are considered normal, but that they are higher then normal... KWIM? She seemed to be doing better. Eating better, not crying, until now. I've had to listen to her for the past week crying constantly about her tummy hurting. She won't eat, her blood sugars are in the normal range. What is wrong? At first I thought she was just bored (it only started this past Monday), but this whole weekend with the other kids home, all she has done is cry 18/7 (doesn't cry when she is sleeping). It is enough to make me crazy! Anyone reading my Facebook now knows why I am crazy! I gave her some medicine to help her stomach, but she is still crying. Doesn't matter what I give, she still cries. IN fact all my kids are driving me nuts... all fighting (especially Lauren & Kayley) and it makes me upset that they are like this.

New washer & dryer

Taken from what I wrote last night on Facebook:

We went tonight to buy a washer & dryer. Shawn had done his research (as he does with all things) and decided on what was best for our family. Not the Duet like I wanted, but just as good. I had planned on paying at least $2000 (with all taxes & warranties, etc...). I wanted something to last me a long time (ones I have now are still great after 14 yrs, but... just to small for my family). I let the saleslady KNOW that I was buying something right then, and I already had it picked. She then proceeded to tell me about the "floor models" that were on sale (good price actually), and how they were the same, blahb blah, blah. We looked, we compared, and was sold. I mean, I was planning on $2000, so I saved $700. We get it loaded up, and brought home. Hello... dryer is totally bent on the right corner. I guess with all the bright lights, we just didn't see it? I was mainly looking for scratches and very noticable dents. But, they were bent AND the top section is not even connected, which who knew I needed to lift the top of a dryer? So then I decide to check the washer out. TOTALLY USED!! I mean, WHAT THE FREAK IS UP WITH THAT? Fabric softener coming out of the fabric softener place, and the instructions are in a ZIP-LOCK bag?! AND the instructions have hand-written phone numbers on them, AND THE DATE IT HAD BEEN PURCHASED BEFORE? Saleslady never said ONE THING about it being used. I would never have bought it! I am NOT going to pay that much money for something and it's freakin' used! I called Sears, of course @ 9:58pm, and the store is closed. I talked to National Sears Hotline, and they told me to take it back, and tell them I am NOT paying for a restocking fee since I was misled about the whole thing. I AM SO MAD AT SEARS!!! Maybe that's why I never shop Sears? I also hate Lowes, but there isn't much other places... I am raising heck tomorrow in the store. Shawn has already told me he was leaving the store. LOL!

Update from today:

Shawn & Josh loaded it back into the truck, and away we went back to Sears. First off, it was my fault that I took a floor model without a box. Second, when I saw the label ripped off the back of the washer, I should have known. Label is not to be removed until the buyer gets it home, and has to remove it to get the cord out. I get to Sears, and go to appliances. I ask for a store manager. She comes. I tell her and the salesman on the floor my problem. I was very calm, did not yell, or threat any one. LOL!! They took my receipt, checked it out, and sure enough, both were returned, used items!! BOTH!! The lady who sold it to me kept telling me that they didn't have the one I wanted brand new in the store, and that it would take a few days to get it to me, etc... so that is when she "sold" me on the one I bought. The man checks for me, and sure enough there is a brand new one in a box at Sears. WHAT?? And the dryer was also in stocked in a box, brand-new. I tell him that I want both. He rings up both. Does some adjustments here and there, ADDS an additional 2 year warranty on my dryer (I had gotten the additional 3 yr warranties last night on both), AND I get $11 dollars back! I got 2 brand-new appliances for discounted cost, and I left as a very happy Sears customer. Maybe I will go back to get that elliptical machine that I tried out...

So crafty

This is my trusty ol' sewing machine that my mom's mom gave me in 1989. She bought it around 1981, so it's rather ancient compared to most cool sewing machines today. My zig-zag stitch doesn't work well, and I have never had it serviced. Maybe I need to take it in soon. It's a Kenmore... think Sears will service it?

This is the apron I did for Kayley. Now that I am done with it, it looks huge! She can just double wrap it for now. I know she will be so excited for it. She's been wanting me to make her an apron. It took my about 3 hrs to do this. 1 hour was doing the stupid straps... just trying to get them pushed through to the right side. I was getting mad there for a bit.

Look at the finish details... cute lace that matches and even buttons!

These are the stockings that I made. Okay, I didn't do them all in one day... actually over a period of about 16 years~ LOL!! Top left is Josh's, hence the lighter fabric (made about 1992). Then Lauren's, Kayley's, and bottom right is Jacob's. I've had those one done since 1998 or 1999. Then I had Krissy, Lindsey and Joey... and never a stocking for them. I have been debating for a long time whether I continue with the current pattern, or do something new for all. Kids really wanted me to make the last 3 like the others, so I did those yesterday. Krissy's or Joey's don't have hair yet because I need to get a lighter yarn. Krissy cried and cried yesterday because of it. I guess she thought I was going to keep hers bald.

Of course, the tree looks a lot better when it's dark and you can see the lights. And when all the ornaments are spread around instead of the top section... my tree would look better. It was perfect for the first, um... maybe 24 hrs? After that Joey hasn't been able to resist. He's doing good with the gifts at leaving them alone, but the ornaments & ribbon? Forget it!

Last Saturday I went to the Dallas Temple with the youth. Kayley stayed home with the younger kids (Josh was also here and technically in charge, but Kayley is the boss). They made this giraffe with some clay they found. I thought they did a great job.

Now maybe I will go finish the Christmas plates I was suppose to have given out at Thanksgiving 2007, and then 2008, but never did... I really need Rebecca here to help me! LOL!!

It's finally done...

My Christmas tree is up. And with all my new stuff I got for it, it looks very nice. I decided not to do all my Hallmark ornaments (over 100!), but only a few. I wish that Hobby Lobby had more of the red birds, but the few that I have makes my tree look cool. I even got a red star and red ribbon to wrap around the tree this year. I must say I love red for Christmas. I love having my free tree (thanks Rebecca again... she got it last year at a yard sale for $7... very huge and already pre-lit with white lights... and her husband made her get rid of it~ to me!)... it's soooo awesome too!

This week I am actually going to make 3 stockings for Kristen, Lindsey & Joey. Only my older kids do not know I am making them. I am going to surprise them. I have debated for years and years if I was going to continue with this current sock pattern (my mom used it for all of us 8 kids, and I did it for my 1st 4), and so therefore the last 3 have never had a nice sock. Finally this!

I am also going to be making a few other things. I can't say yet because I really want those as a surprise since sometimes my kids get on here to read. If they see the thing about the socks, oh well, but I want the others things to be special for them.

I am taking Joey & Shawn to Shreveport tomorrow to the ENT. I am hoping that Joey gets tubes soon. Poor kid... 3 surgeries in 1 year! Oh, well. Shawn has had a horrible ear infection for the past week. We went to our Dr. friend (thanks, HJ!), and he has said that maybe he might need a tube in that ear since this is his 2nd one in 1 yr! How crazy is that? Shawn wants to go shopping tomorrow in Shreveport too. Geez. I thought I was done. I AM DONE!! I am not going to get anymore stuff. I went to the church bookstore on Saturday in Dallas, and got some stuff there too (already planning on getting that stuff).

This is Josh's last Christmas home. I just don't want to think about it yet, but I want this to be a good memory for him.

Oh, Christmas Tree~ Oh, Christmas Tree

Today Lauren stayed home from school supposedly sick. So I took advantage of her. I didn't allow her to be "sick". She had to babysit while I went shopping for 6 hrs (remember the drive is an hour itself!)! Shawn and I had a great time. I am about down except for a few things for Josh & Lauren (HELP!).

As I was coming home, I called Lauren and told to take the Christmas stuff out. I went to Hobby Lobby tonight to get a few fuses for the lights and I hope to have our tree up tomorrow. I also bought some more stuff for the tree & house. I am pretty excited! I can't wait to start wrapping presents!

This is Heidi...

when she realized that she only has 23 more days of Christmas shopping left!!

ARGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!

New Eagle Scout

Josh FINALLY received his Eagle Scout award today. We had a nice ceremony at the church. All my family (minus Todd), most of Shawn's family, some ward members and some of Jacob's scout troop were there. Jacob's troop did the posted the flags. 5 uncles were sitting in the "Eagles Nest" as they had all received their Eagle award years before. We are so happy that he finally got it done!

Congrats Josh! Miller Family 2008

Whole Fam Damily 2008

Blast from the Past... 1986

I can't believe I am posting this of me! Look at the mullet! Scary!!!

This is me & my brother, Brett. This was Christmas 1986. Our mom and baby brother, Scott is in the background.

These were my friends Kresta Spencer & Kenna Wilson. This was taken in Nauvoo during the youth trip that our stake took (Killeen, Tx-Nauvoo) in June 1986. Our stake chartered a Kerrville bus and we were gone for about a week. We had a blast.

Kayley's project

When Kayley told me she had to do a project on the Milky Way, I thought of this:

Silly me! I knew that wasn't it (he he)! Due December 1st... Nice! Right during

Thanksgiving week. Whose going to help?

Can't decide what's worse

2 sick kids (the babies) or knowing that we have yet another mouse in the house (which I just need to realize that they are field mice trying to get warm, but still! Why so many?!)?

Activity Night

Since I am filling in for my Mother-in-law with her calling, I am doing the Activity Night tonight for the 8-11 yr old Primary kids. I don't say girls, how they mostly are for in our wards/stakes, but our Primary is so small, and with Jacob being in a local cub scout group, we have the boys (which usually just is Jacob) attend. She and me try to make sure we do "co-ed" things so Jacob doesn't feel left out or out of place. Tonight I am teaching them to sew a basic stitch as we make bean bags for the nursery. Hey, all boys need to learn how to do a basic stitch... especially since when they are on their mission they may need to sew a tear up in their pants or socks... LOL!! I am hoping that we have at least 5 there, but last time we only had 2 (my own 2!). There are 9 that should be coming. Kayley invited 2 of her friends, and 1 can't come & the other we don't know yet. I think they kids will have a good time.

Coinstar

So tonight I take the kids to Walmart. Krissy has saved and saved and saved coins forever. Tonight she actually had her purse and all those coins. We put them in Coinstar, and she had $9+ worth of coins! Then with the .08 cents per dollar fee, she got like $8.70 something cents back. 288 of the coins were pennies! Crazy kid! No wonder she complained about her purse.

And then we came home, and as we got to the house before ours, I noticed a light on the side of the road. As I passed I noticed it was a small flame. Not huge, but a flame. We stopped, and Kayley & I got out to investigate. Cigarette burning. We stomped it out. I doubt it would have gotten bigger like this summer when we had a fire out there & had to call the FD, but who knows. Better be safe then sorry.

3 drivers, 4 cars

So I am now the proud owner of yet another car. We bought Shawn's niece's car... 1994 Toyota Corolla. We wanted to get one for either Shawn or Josh to drive, and even though Josh complains the "new" car is a "girly" car (because of the teal paint job), he hates the white car (Honda Accord) so won't drive it. I say whatever gets the best gas milage is what Shawn should drive, but I will let them work that out. Once Josh leaves on his mission, we will get rid of one. Wow! My so-called parking area out front is beginning to look like my parents house when they had lots of older kids at home still. LOL!!!

Stitches

Shawn had to go get 7 stitches today. Last year about this time, I had to take Lauren in to get 6 stitches for almost shooting her eye out (Look @ Nov. 2007 blog). Today Shawn was sawing off some branches to put up a deer stand for the hunters (for Thanksgiving), and sliced/sawed his finger @ the knuckle to the bone! It was rather gross. I had just put the kids down for a nap, and with Shawn's mom in the hospital (knee surgery for those that know her, and didn't know... she'll be home in a few days... doing good!), I had no choice but to stay here and make him drive himself into ER. Oh, well. I got a good nap while he was gone. ;-)

The joys of season change...

Kids getting snot noses & coughs... dog now jumping at the door wanting to come inside... flies moving at a slow speed... mice coming in the house to get warm... ya. Mice. Our storage room started to smell like death. We knew a dead mouse was somewhere. Shawn got home last night from work, and he also smelled it. We started to clean out the storage room. We cleaned off the shelves and beneath them too. None. Shawn pulled out the frige... first dead mouse. Been there for a while... pretty much dried out. Pulled out the freezer... 2nd dead mouse. Dead probably a few days. Still pretty "juicy" there. And smelling really really bad! Got rid of that one too. Cleaned really good under there, and used Clorax wipes to clean the floor some more. Doesn't smell of death in there anymore. We decided to put the dog food in a plastic bucket for now. Hopefully that keeps the mice out. Maybe I should get a small metal trashcan? Now I have to go put some of my stuff back that I was to tired to do last night...

Primary Program

Tomorrow is the program. Kayley and Jacob are excited because they both get to sing a duet. I don't know if that's good or bad for the congregation. :-s
I'll post how it went... ETA on Sunday after:
This morning as I was getting kids ready for church, Lindsey threw a fit (I mean, why not?) and announced that she was NOT going to church because she did NOT want to do the program. "Um, ok Lindsey. Let's do your hair now." We get to church, and all the kids go sit in their spot. Lindsey was sitting in the bishop's chair. I told Lindsey we needed to find out where she needed to sit for a moment because the bishop was going to sit there for a few minutes. Nope, none of that, I tell ya... and she threw herself on the floor and had another fit. So I get her, and have her sit next to me, Lauren & Joey (and Papaw too). Finally the program is starting, and her seat is free, but would she go up? Nope. But when her class was nearing the end of their parts, she wanted to go up. When she saw them sitting down, she got mad. We sat, we listen to Kayley & Jacob sing with their duet group (2 seperate ones), and was actually in aw when I heard them. All the way to church, Kayley was upset because she didn't know the song well, etc... But she did great. They all were awesome. ABout 15 minutes left into the program, Lindsey decided to go up. She went up, and sat with her class... all smiles. During closing exercises in Primary, Krissy gave the closing talk, and she did great too. She talked about service (I guess I should have used the November Friend, but for some reason I was thinking it was still October, so I prepared a talk for her from the October Friend Sharing Time). All was good.

THiS iS MoRe LiKe iT!

Filled my Suburban with 25 gallons for $49!!! That's $1.97/gal! Yay!!

And then we all know about Josh and his huge cell phone bills. He made me promise that I wouldn't post the amounts anymore on my blog, but let's just say he hasn't had anymore $499 bills, but they haven't been much less either. This month it was actually below $300 (but not a lot), and he was happy because he thought it would be more. I paid the bill the other day for last month's (was was over $300 for him). He told me yesterday that the bill was already to view on-line. He can only see the total... I actually have to sign in to see the bill broken down per phone. Well, I had my keyboard on caps, and forgot to take it off before putting in my password. Talk about case-sensitive! Lock my account! So I called AT&T, and he was going over the bill with me, and was concerned (really, he was!) that Josh was paying so much a month for internet usage. I told the man that Josh had blocked it, but he said it wasn't block, and told me he would block it. Well, he then asked me if someone had ever told me about unlimited internet usage for $15 a month. "Um, NO!" I told him that someone told me about unlimited family texting. Well, he then told me about unlimited internet for Josh's phone. I was pleased, and he added it. He then asked me if there was anything else that he could do for me, and I said... "Um, maybe take off a few hundred off the bill?" Sure! Glad to! And with that, he took off $250 of Josh's bill, and so Josh owes less then $40 this month! I told him I better get a dang good Christmas present, and that his bill better never be over $40 again!

Gotta love AT&T!

TeLL Me WHaT You THiNK

TooK THeSe ToNiGHT oF KaYLeY:

aND oF JaCoB:

3 WeeKS!

DiD You See THaT? 3 WeeKS uNTiL THaNKSGiViNG! MY FaMiLY iS CoMiNG. GoTTa GeT THe HouSe CLeaNeD! i NeeD a MaiD!

Not like I don't have anything better to do...

Ok, maybe I do, but I got on Facebook. To many people were emailing me wanting me to join. I finally did it. Now I am using what is left of my frazzled brain, to try to remember people from my past. It's been fun!! So, if you have Facebook, and I'm not added to your list, look under

HEIDI PRITCHARD MILLER

I feel like I need to go puke...

Election Day 2008

Below is a copy from another blog that I saw today from a sister at church that I knew many years ago. I really liked what she wrote. I hope she doesn't mind me using it... I was always going to elect McCain even though I'm not a great fan of his, but after reading this... I am glad I did vote for him. All I can say is... No matter who you want, I hope you have voted because you have no say in anything about the election/presidency of our great country if you did not vote.

**********THaNKS aMBeR FoR YouR WoRDS**********

"I woke up this morning with all of the following in my head. I have so much to do today, and it's so tempting to just move on. That's what I'd really like to do, move on to my post-Halloween clean-up. How can I not put this down though? It came off the presses in full-page, print review format. I must have had quite a political subconscious last night.

America the land of opportunity...
I read the following and couldn't believe the whole idea. If this is true, if this is really Obama's "tax plan" then no more can a middle-class person plan on earning a retirement. You can't really afford to invest in a house or land or really anything because unless you are making mega bucks, you're not going to have enough left after the Gov gets their share to retire on. My impression is that everyone but the very, VERY rich will need the government's assistance to make a livelihood for their life-span. And then how sad that people will not be able to pass money down to their children. It's already tricky enough to make those investments. Obama would make it almost impossible.

I think of all the opportunity ideas that all the immigrants looked forward to coming here. You work hard and get to keep and use the money that you earn. I want America to be a land of opportunity for those who are willing to become Americans and work hard. It has become easier to receive government assistance for Health Care and Utilities and rent than it is to work and try and pay for it all. I disagree with the idea of solving that problem by spreading people's income around like peanut butter on a sandwich. We'll wake up and find that we've spread opportunity to thin to be recognized.

I cut and pasted this from an email with these sights referenced as sources
http://money.cnn.com/news/specials/election/2008/index.html
http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/issues/issues.taxes.html
http://elections.foxnews.com/?s=proposed+taxes http://bulletin.aarp.org/yourworld/politics/articles/mccain_obama_offer_different_visions_on_taxes.html
http://blog.washingtonpost.com/fact-checker/candidates/barack_obama/
http://blog.washingtonpost.com/fact-checker/candidates/john_mccain/
CAPITAL GAINS TAX
MCCAIN
0% on home sales up to $500,000 per home (couples). McCain does not
propose any change in existing home sales income tax.
OBAMA
28% on profit from ALL home sales. (How does this affect you? If you
sell your home and make a profit, you will pay 28% of your gain on
taxes. If you are heading toward retirement and would like to
down-size your home or move into a retirement community, 28% of the
money you make from your home will go to taxes. This proposal will
adversely affect the elderly who are counting on the income from their
homes as part of their retirement income.)
DIVIDEND TAX
MCCAIN
15% (no change)
OBAMA
39.6% - (How will this affect you? If you have any money invested in
stock market, IRA, mutual funds, college funds, life insurance,
retirement accounts, or anything that pays or reinvests dividends, you
will now be paying nearly 40% of the money earned on taxes if Obama
becomes president. The experts predict that 'Higher tax rates on
dividends and capital gains would crash the stock market, yet do
absolutely nothing to cut the deficit.')
INCOME TAX
MCCAIN(no changes)
Single making 30K - tax $4,500
Single making 50K - tax $12,500
Single making 75K - tax $18,750
Married making 60K- tax $9,000
Married making 75K - tax $18,750
Married making 125K - tax $31,250
OBAMA (reversion to pre-Bush tax cuts)
Single making 30K - tax $8,400
Single making 50K - tax $14,000
Single making 75K - tax $23,250
Married making 60K - tax $16,800
Married making 75K - tax $21,000
Married making 125K - tax $38,750
Under Obama, your taxes could almost double!
INHERITANCE TAX
MCCAIN
- 0% (No change, Bush repealed this tax)
OBAMA
Restore the inheritance tax
Many families have lost businesses, farms, ranches, and homes that
have been in their families for generations because they could not
afford the inheritance tax. Those willing their assets to loved ones
will only lose them to these taxes.
NEW TAXES PROPOSED BY OBAMA
New government taxes proposed on homes that are more than 2400 square
feet. New gasoline taxes (as if gas weren't high enough already) New
taxes on natural resources consumption (heating gas, water,
electricity) New taxes on retirement accounts, and last but not
least....New taxes to pay for socialized medicine so we can receive
the same level of medical care as other third-world countries!!!
Favors from Friends
Ok, so some friends and I were talking about conspiracy and how some people see it in everything. There would be the other extreme too, people unable to recognize it when looking it in the face. And of course everybody in between. Unable to see it because it's hidden. Or looking at, keeping it in the back of our minds until we see a need to pull it forward again because of evidence. I put myself in this latter category. So my friends and I were talking about Obama and what kind of Muslim etc feelings he might have not really thinking that much about it. I came home and read this the next day.

www.onenewsnow.com/Election2008/Default.aspx?id=302908
Interesting I thought. So every president has "friends" that they try and keep happy. They work hard to keep them happy since they are the ones who paid for their campaigns and will be supporters in the future. I admit that a Presidential Candidate with "friends" like this, is a frightening prospect. These "friends" must have very strong feelings about all our Middle Eastern activity. These well-funded people are a threat to America. What kind of national security do we want? Why would we give them friends in the White House?
Partial Birth, funding for unborn babies
Somebody asked why Abortion is such a strong issue when choosing a Presidential Candidate. Abortion is the worst issue in inhumane actions of our time. The boys and I just read about John Brown's Harper's Ferry raid and are about to study the Civil War. I've recently read about Nat Turner, Harriet Tubman and Amistad to them. When Eli and Luke walked in on me while I was watching this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KKj109ZST3g
and I had to tell them what abortion was and was so embarrassed. Isn't that strange. I hated telling them what this meant. And trying to explain why people think that it's OK so that they could get a grasp seemed ridiculous. They could NEVER think this was OK with any justification I could try and give them. I've been telling them about mistreatment of the racial kind and how wrong it is. Then to explain what this survivor was talking about and try and present the other side...it was awful. They didn't get it at all. I could never, in good conscience, vote for somebody who believed in partial birth abortion period.
Morality
Even though I recently read that de Toqueville really never said it, I still believe that if America ceases to be good, it will cease to be great. It's a Promised Land as long as we honor the God in which "we trust". Moral standards are an essential characteristic of a great, and even a good society. This has nothing to do with Church and state. You have to draw a line of conduct somewhere. Human kind should not abuse each other. Family organizations are essential to this. Serve God, Family and Country in that order right? It doesn't take the research that has been done and clearly affirms to be true that children have a much healthier life by the privilege of being raised by a mother and a father. God created us to work together as women and men to create these humans and I believe that they deserve to have both these parents to love and raise them. Changing this, sets humanity in a completely different direction.
My church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, does not step up to the political microphone very often. When they do you know that they feel very strong about the issue, that the Lord feels very strong about the issue. They are working overtime for Proposition 8 in California. This video shows why it is so important. It shows what's ahead for us if we continue down the road we started on.
http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid1352578267?bctid=1784521903
I'm not looking forward to explaining this to my kids.
Obama is very clear on his view of gay marriage. So, although he is so charming, charismatic and great on TV, I won't be voting for him. He's up in all the poles. So many people don't know who to vote for. Many people aren't fond of McCain. I can honestly say that I'm not his biggest supporter. But, I'm voting against Obama at all costs. That is a vote for McCain. I've never seen such demonstration against a candidate by the Christian Community as I have against Obama. I've seen pleas from the Catholic church (There are several to choose from if you google catholics against Obama. It is pretty creepy to hear Obama say "the first thing I would do as President is sign the Freedom of Choice Act" in front of Planned Parenthood. They are very detailed in what that means. Watch them.)
There are several Pro-Family associations who have come out stating that Obama would be a disaster for the family.
James Dobson and many others feel the same. I've never seen these leaders SO vehement against a candidate. I feel that this says something. They aren't lobbying for McCain, these people are lobbying for family values, valuing life and keeping America as the land of opportunity."

********************

And I would like to end my little political note with a quote from Boyd K. Packer:

"Lucifer is still at work. He, with the angels who followed him, will trouble the work of the Lord and destroy it if he can... But we will stay on course. We will anchor ourselves as families and as a church to these principles and ordinances. Whatever tests lie ahead, and they will be many, we must remain faithful and true."

HaLLoWeen CoSTuMeS!

Unlike my sisters, or my sister-in-law, who love to dress up for Halloween, my kids are lucky they even get to the Halloween party dressed as something! Maybe it was because we never really dressed up after we hit 12 yrs old, and before then, we never got the "cool" costumes like everyone else had (hey, having 8 children was hard!), and so I've never got into it with my own children. Yes, when I was younger and had less children, I did dress them up some, but past few years... like I said, they are lucky they even get to the Halloween Party! Every year though, I do vow to be different that year, and actually do something, but I haven't yet. One year I did buy a pattern and material (which I still have) to make "Dorothy" costumes for Krissy & Lindsey. Here is Joey with a wig that I had bought back in Bryan. I DID have a cute picture of Lindsey in it, but alas... it's on the pictures that were lost. He actually kept it on most of the night, and was a cute boy with a clown wig...

Here he is in the costume contest for kids 0-3 yrs. No, he didn't win (are you surprised?). The pink girl won one of the places, and I don't think Hulk is in this picture, but he won. He was cute. If you can see Lauren's outfit, she has on a "Bach to Broadway" costume (ask Holly), and she won for best original in the 12-18 yrs contest as a majorette. Her friend Victoria also won.

Lindsey as Spy Girl (don't ask), and Krissy as Belle. I did her hair, and it was cute.

Jacob going as the ol' stand-by Pinnochio. I actually made this costume when I was very very pregnant with Jacob, for Josh. Josh was in a school play, and needed this. I've kept it all these years, and both Lauren & Kayley have each worn this costume too, and have both won. Jacob did wear this a few years ago, and won in that contest, and won again this year for Best Original for 8-12 yrs. Wow! So creative I am!!

The twins in our ward as Thing 1 & Thing 2. Actually they played this part well. Actually, they play this part well every time you see them no matter when it is!! They were cute!

The day after... Joey so sick! If you do a close-up on his nose, you will see how gross it is. He fell asleep to Texarkana as I was taking him to see Dr. P. Dr. P assured us no ear infection this time (he just got over a double ear infection a few weeks ago), but maybe RSV. He is on medication, and seems to be doing a lot better. Kayley had RSV when she was 9 months old, and was admitted to the hospital for 2 days.

I have decided since posting pictures last night, that I do not like the ones I took of Kayley. I told her today that we were going to be retaking this afternoon. Here are the color ones that I really like of the others...

Girls Pictures

I decided I was never going to pay LifeTouch another dime for their school pictures, or any other company either. Even in Bryan, I returned pictures, and the same here since moving here. I even had Lauren's done twice last year, and returned them twice! They took Josh's senior pictures for the yearbook, and they were awful (I got senior pictures done for him in Killeen @ Heights Studio). I decided to take my own this year, instead of paying $24 per child to get the pictures that I needed and then don't turn out, and get them done at Walgreens (via internet), and pay like $24 total for all the pictures that I need! I did Joey's back in September/October and they turned out so cute. I am getting Jacob's hair cut this week, and then I will do his pictures. I did these in B&W (duh!), but the ones that I will get through Walgreens will be in color, and of a different pose. Tell me what you think:

Should I retire from picture taking?

Lauren

Kayley
Krissy

Lindsey

I'll post the color ones later, when I have more time...

Bar-B-Q

Many, many years ago, Shawn & I decided to invest in a charcoal grill. He really wanted to grill chicken, and wanted to think that he was actually helping with the dinner the night I decide to grill. Many years later, and hundreds of nasty burnt chicken, and total embarrassement at a dinner that we had invited friends over... I banned Shawn from grilling FOREVER! This was while we lived in Bryan. Never again would I allow it from him. I then started to try to master it. I read books and articles on how to have the perfect charcoal-grilled food, and while I was getting close, it still wasn't great. Finally I asked a friend about it, and she told me the secret! And from then on, I have truly mastered it, and have never had burnt chicken (or steak, or hamburgers or hot dogs or whatever) again. The secret? Can't tell! But I will say that the chicken that I grilled tonight was superb!
*Oh, and just to let you know... I cannot stand gas grills, even though I know most restaurants (and my dad and brother, Chad) cook their food that way. Maybe that's why I never get the steak or chicken much because of it.

WaRD HaLLoWeeN PaRTY

So, I was in charge of it again this year. I had my friend Cori do the decorating, and it was very cute considering the budget we DON'T have. I got the YW/YM to do the games and cupcake walk, and the Primary presidency along with their judges, did the costume contest. I forgot to do the prizes for the pumpkin contest, and the coolest of the 3 there was Victoria's so I told her she won. She had Harry Potter's face carved into it and a cape draping the outside of the pumpkin. It was rather cute and original. I think she is still in love with Harry. I didn't do a chili contest like I did last year, and that I think caused me not to be so stressful. We had lots of chili, the Frito-pie works, cornbread and I also did a crock-pot of mac & cheese and oranges for the kids (both yellow/orange), and all of that was gone (except for a tiny bit of mac & cheese). We had tons of cupcakes, and I had a few adults (me included) do the cupcake walk. The RS room (off of the cultral hall) was decorated cute by the YW for their little games. I went in there a few times, and the kids seemed like they were having a great time winning some prizes. I know my little kids did. They did an awesome job. Thanks guys! About 8pm, all went outside for the Trunk-or-Treating and a tractor pull ride by the bishop. My kids came home with loads of candy (for me to raid on Monday), and it's the good stuff too!! We left the church by 9pm, and I was in bed by 10:30pm. It was a fun night I think. I hope my ward had a good time.

Not enough sleep

Contrary to what Mom or Holly says... I didn't get enough sleep! Yes, I slept in the first two days of my 4 day trip until past 8am, okay... 11am, but still! That wasn't enough! 11am though! I was able to stay in the bed until almost 11am one day, and 11:30 the next day, read the paper, watch the Today Show AND Regis & Kelly, and sleep off & on, and I didn't even have a care in the world!! Granted, that I started getting phone calls from my house between 6:30-7am each time, but still... I was able to stay in bed! Relax, me time... it was great.

I then got up, took a shower, got dressed, and went out to eat every lunch & dinner that I was there (thanks guys!). It was awesome!

Usually when I leave like this whether 2 or 4 days, I will come home to a clean house. Not this time. Reality set in the moment I got home... oh, well. I had a great visit with Mom, and the sisters (and the in-laws too). Can't wait for next time! :-)

Josh

I asked Josh for a picture since I didn't have a recent one of him. I figured today would be best since he had done his hair and all before he left to go to Six Flags with his girl.

Thanks Josh!

Such a handsome dude!

HaiRCuT

i DoN'T KNoW WHY i WaiT So LoNG!

THiS WaS a MuCH NeeDeD aND WeLCoMeD CuT!

Drug-Free Day

I think I blogged something about it last year. This week was Red Ribbon Week aka Drug-free at Krissy's school. I don't think the other schools did it this week because I only got the note home from Krissy's school. Krissy's school decided to have a one-day thing of it, and it was today. They were suppose to wear a crazy hat, crazy socks and wear red. The kindergarteners and 1st graders are in 1 school. They have a "drug-free parade". Basically, the parents decorate a shoebox-size box and put a lot of anti-drug stuff on. The bigger the better... you know the deal. A few days ago, my sister emailed me wanting me to send her a FHE book (I'm still sending it, BTW), and as I was looking through it, I found something on the Word of Wisdom. BINGO! I decided to make copies of the Word of Wisdom activities, and let Krissy color them and cut out. We wrapped the box in red paper last night, and decorated it with the trash can to throw all the trash (alcohol bottles & cigarettes), and lined the sides with fruit and veggies. We printed off a few "words of wisdom" and glued those on too... Wow! This school is going to get a missionary discussion yet! LOL!!

Fixing my camera

I needed to change the settings, as I couldn't remember which one it was suppose to be on. Apparently if it's on the wrong one, it takes forever to download pictures on dial-up. There are only 4 settings. I asked Lindsey to smile for me while I switched the settings so I could see which one was right. She obviously has older sisters who have taught her to pose.

Somethin' buggin' me

I read People a lot. According to my friend, Rebecca, who now lives in the DC area, it's cold over there. Enough for coats right? I bet it's cold in Ohio too, right Kenna? Maybe not cold cold, but cool cold? Think New York City is cool? Cool enough for kids to be wearing a light coat or sweater? Seems like everytime I see a picture of Tom Cruise and/or Katie Holmes, and they have their toddler with them... they always have a coat on, or sweater, but poor little Suri is not. Only short sleeve dresses. More then half the time, no tights either. I don't know... just bugs me.

Woo Hoo

This Sunday I am going to my mom's. I can't say parents because my dad is in Hawaii (still). I rather be going to Hawaii, but going to Killeen will be the next best thing because it's hanging with my Mom! AND the best thing about the whole-going-to-my-mom's is... is that I get to go kid-less!! Did you read that? KIDLESS!!! Granted, it's not Hawaii, or to a spa in Arizona with my sister, or to BYU Educational week with a bunch of friends, but it's still going without kids to visit my mom (and my sisters... okay, and my brothers, and the in-laws, and the nephews & nieces) and have a good time for 3 full days without any of my kids. Now don't get me wrong, I love being with my kids, but I can use the break. At first Josh complained, and I was like... It's only 3 days out of 365! Let me have a break, dang it! Shawn is off the 4 days (he is working Sunday, but Josh & Lauren will be taking care of the kids until he gets off work), and he told me to go and have fun. I may not have a lot of $$ to spend, but I get to go and have some "me" time. Get to sleep in... get to sleep all night without kids bothering me, or a husband snoring... WOO HOO!!! I am excited!

I am sad

I was hoping for some miracle that we would make it back to Bryan, and so that I could also see my dr. there instead of having to go find a new one. After many problems, I am going to have all my records from Bryan faxed to my new dr. in Shreveport this afternoon. So sad to think that I will never see my old dr. again as a patient. He was a great dr. I loved him so much, even if he made me mad a few times, but oh, well.

Jacob's Bowling Party

We had a great time. Our friends, the Davis's came, and Cole came too. I forgot how much fun bowling is. We hadn't been since moving here. This ally was a lot nicer then the one that we were used to in College Station.

They wanted to share

Kayley wanted to show you one of the finished loaves of zuchinni bread she did yesterday. She was quite proud, as this was the first time for her to make bread. She is becoming quite the cook... making pancakes, muffins & now bread. The zuchinni was from our garden this year.

Krissy wanted to show you that she is missing her 2 top teeth, and that now she can now sing "All I want fo Quithmas is my 2 fwont teef!"

Great! NOT!!

Ok, this is it! I am going to get off my Sonic drinks! I have too! I am so not well, and drinking that much caffeine a day is not helping. I am going to TRY to take Excederin to help me with my caffeine headaches that I am sure I will get. I am basically going to do a South Beach-type diet, as I need to lay off all sugars and white flour products. I probably have gained 20 lbs in 2 weeks. My periods are not regular anymore. I am trying to get an IUD in, but my periods are not cooperating with me, so I have made the call to my doctor to get in ASAP. I do not have the energy like I once had. Short background of my history (not that you want it, but you are getting it!):
When Josh was 2 1/2, my periods stopped. Of course, we thought we were pregnant, went to the doctor, and found out that I PROBABLY had endometrious or PCOS or PCOD or whatever it may be called. I had an ultrasound done, and my overies were huge and full of cysts. Great. When Josh was 3 1/2, I gained like 40 lbs in 2 months! I had lost all my weight after having Josh, and was now back up to what I was when I had him! Totally depressing. Doctor said it more then likely was the mentionables stated above, but that he wouldn't know for sure unless I had a laposcopy, which at the time, we didn't have insurance, so I didn't have it. He put me on 2 birth control pills a day for the next 7 months. After they were gone, we could try to get pregnant. In the meantime, having only 1 child, and a lot of siblings and my parents to watch Josh when I needed them too, I started walking. I walked 45 minutes in the morning, about 20-30 minutes at night, and basically did a 0 calorie diet (not really, but close). 7 months came, I had lost 40 lbs, and we started trying. In 2 months I was pregnant with Lauren. I called that doctor one more time (by now we were in Bryan & had to start going to a new doctor), and he told me to keep the PCOS from returning, I needed to stay pregnant and breastfeed as long as I could. Yeah... right! Well, yeah, right...I did! I had 6 children in almost 12 years!
Now I am having problems again. I had my period on Sept. 14 being the 3rd consecutive month since starting them back since having Joey. On Sept. 27th I had a "break-thru" for a few hours. It was weird. It really was. Last night, I had another "break-thru". I thought it was my period. My face is fat, and covered in zits, and so why not think it was my period? Nothing now. I know I'm not pregnant. I'm waiting for the doctor to call me. I haven't been able to sleep. I lay in the bed, and as I start to relax, I feel as though my body is tensing up or is starting to grow more fat, so I can't relax that well. Until then, I am just so not feeling well. I am down, depressed, fat, ugly, whatever. I hope I can get to my doctor tomorrow. Where am I going to get the energy to drive to Shreveport? I want to go today, but Shawn is working & my mother-in-law is at her Dr. appt.

Our Sunday afternoon... besides a nap