Please November---come already.

Here it is early May and I am SOOOOOoooooo sick and tired of all the political crap you see on TV, in the Newspapers, hear on the street;  I HATE it!  I wouldn't say I am a hard-core Democrat or Republican.  I vote for the person I like, who doesn't give me the heaby jeabies---that person can be a "red" or "blue" candidate. 
I understand that living in the United States gives you "Freedom of Speech";  but not in our house.  Politics is off limits.  I will actually tell guests that it isn't allowed.  I don't understand people that are so vocal about their political views and will treat others with disrespect if they believe in something different.  Having all of the media outlets to voice opinions and thoughts makes it even worse.  Facebook is a nightmare.  I am constantly hiding political thoughts from people because I really don't want to read all the negativity and blaming.  I even had one person state the fact you need to pray for who you will be voting for and if you think your prayer is answered and you vote for a certain candidate for another 4 year term---well, I guess that's you're problem.  Because I PRAYED and God told me to vote for (this candidate).  SERIOUSLY?????  It is perfectly alright to pray for guidance and help---but to judge someone's prayers and basically tell them that they didn't receive the right answer is crap!!! 
We have always been told and taught that in the final days the world will be full of turmoil;  HELLO---don't you think the world will still be in the crapper no matter who is in office???  I think so- 
I don't think I can handle the next 6 months; I'm seriously debating not watching any news, reading any papers, and even possibly avoiding Facebook until this is over.

Another one of my "Hot Topics" would be vaccinating your children.  I can't even imagine the diseases little children had to go thru prior to the development of vaccinations, not to mention all the deaths.  I couldn't imagine losing a child.  There are sooooo many people that aren't vaccinating their children for various reasons---religious, personal beliefs, thinking the risks are too great;  I personally--think children should get vaccinated.  There are side effects in everything we do:  things we eat, drink, touch-but to have a child suffer from a disease that could have been eliminated from a shot infuriates me.  There have been so called "studies" linking vaccinations to autism: My thoughts on that....I think Autism is something no one really knows the cause.  With all the added chemicals in the foods we eat, the pollution in the air, etc--something like that causing it makes more since to me than vaccinations.  We had a little baby pass away from whooping cough last week here in Pocatello-and now there are people saying that most cases of pertussis come from vaccinated children.  Give me a freakin break.  Only about 75% of children in our school district have been vaccinated.  75% !! That is soooo scary.  It scares me that the other 25% could pass something to a baby or a child that has a compromised immune system.  Not being able to attend school because they could get sick from a non-vaccinated child is so sad and is completely unfair.  I know there are people that are strongly against vaccinations and that is fine---this is my blog and I can write what I want to write.  I'm not going to go on Facebook and call people idiots for not having the same beliefs.

Devin--The Metal Detecting King

Once Upon a Time there lived a man named Devin.  Devin had a wife, children, a home, a job, but what made him the happiest was a little machine called a METAL DETECTOR.  Devin would go out every day if he could with his metal detector and a screw driver and hunt for that long lost treasure: a coin, a nail, a ring.  Hours and hours of hunting enjoyment. 
One evening his sister-in-law called and asked him if her husbands brother could borrow the metal detector.  He had lost his wedding ring (which he has only had for a couple of months) and it could not be found.  Could this actually be happening?  The moment he has been waiting for?  Could he actually "save" a marriage?  He was all over it like flies on poop.  Devin finished his dinner, loaded the magic machines into the truck, and departed on his quest to save the day. 
He traveled to a small Idaho farming town known as Rockland and met up with the distraught newlywed that was dreading going home without the ring and sleeping on the couch.  The hunt was on.  WAIT-what is that???  His wife hears the phone ring and answers it because it is her prince in shining armour Devin.  She answers----Hello...HELLO.....and than it becomes clear, Devin has butt dialed her and has no clue she is listening to the entire conversation.  This goes on for quite a few minutes.  She tried to hang up but the phone wouldn't disconnect.  Hmmmmm, what to do?  She decides to send a text to the troubled newlywed:  "Hey (name)-could you tell Devin he butt dialed me and I can hear your entire conversation".....
She waited and actually heard his phone ding when he received the text.  He began to read it and laughter followed.  FINALLY-the butt conversation was ended.
Fast forward a couple of hours and Devin arrives home with a huge smile on his face and he says, "I am the MAN."
Of course the story of how the ring was located followed.
The two men drive to the field the ring was lost in.  Devin scanned the field with the metal detector. What was that???? a Beep???  The dig was on.  Hmmmm-it was only a nail. Bummer.  Devin had him reenact what had happened when the ring went missing.  That wasn't good enough-so Devin sacrificed his own wedding ring for the cause.  He reenacted the scene-let his own ring fly off into the night-and now there were TWO missing rings and if not located-two extremely pissed off women.  Devin was able to locate his own ring after a few moments of nervousness and narrowed down where the other ring probably landed.  A few more moments passed and BEEEEEPPPPP! YES!!!!!  The ring was found.  Devin actually did save the day. 
Devin couldn't have been more proud of himself and the fact that he was a "hero" who butt dialed his wife-made the evening even that much better.
Moral(s) of the story:
*Make sure you have your ring sized properly before working in a field
*Make sure you know where your phone is before speaking. (you never know who may be listening)
*Make sure the hero of the story leaves his ring home so it doesn't get misplaced
*Remember that anything, especially funny stories, may end up on a blog for everyone to read.

Kyra's Ear Tube Procedure

After 4 ear infections and an ear full of pus--Kyra's doctor thought it would be best to place tubes in her ears.  Today was the day for her surgery.  Since she doesn't sleep thru the night and not able to eat or drink anything after midnight-I was a little nervous for last night.  Kyra was such a trooper.  She slept until 3:00am and was ready to leave the house at 4:15.  Devin had to work, so I dropped Tristan off at Grandma and Grandpa McIntire's at 5:15 and checked into the hospital at 5:30.  She was soooo good.  She scowled at the nurses and doctors and wasn't amused by their barking but she didn't cry.  She actually sat in the wagon and let them take her back to the operating room without a tear-at 7:15.   The actual procedure was very quick and I could hear her crying when she woke up.  That just tears you up when you hear your little baby cry and you aren't allowed in the room.  I finally went back and was able to comfort her and settle her down.   She has done so well---very grumpy and tired but so am I.  She must also be dizzy because she has been falling over all night.  What a little angel.
There were two other little girls getting tubes placed as well.  One was a little older than Kyra and the other was the same age.  I found it interesting sitting in our "room" with the curtain closed and listening to the nurses on the other side.  They were trying to hand off who would deal with what patient --and the one nurse actually said-"I want the shoulder not the crying 1 year old.  I have a screaming kid at home, I don't need to deal with one at work."  (I think they forgot I was sitting there with a 1 year old who had just finished crying).  Our little babies don't understand what is happening to them and I can only imagine how scared they are when they wake up-in pain, in a strange place, with wires hooked to them, and their mom isn't around.  It is just amazing to me what people say not thinking that others can hear them. 

These are photos before she went back for the procedure.  This is the pink dog the hospital "gave" her.  I wouldn't really say "gave" since you pay a butt load of money.  She really liked it and was excited to show her dad when he got home tonight.

She is just so dang cute!!!!  Even on little sleep.

She wasn't sure about the wagon--but once she sat in it with her pink dog-she was all smiles.

Cinderella 2012

Last week wasn't the 2nd week of April in our house-nope, it was Cinderella week.  Cortlynn had rehearsals every night and a 5 hour dress rehearsal on Friday.  The actual performances were Saturday at 2:00 and 7:00.  I'm always amazed at how a production can come together with the rehearsals you see in the weeks prior to the performance.  Even the night before-I sit there wondering if they will be able to pull it off:  Will the lighting work? Will the props work?  Will the dancers know when to come on stage??  Everything is practiced-down to the bow, yes the bow.  I think if everyone experienced the hours of a dress rehearsal they would appreciate the amount of hard work goes into a production and be that more thankful of everyone involved.

The ballet "Cinderella" isn't the Disney version-of course there are the step-sisters and the slipper, but there are fairies and more detail goes into HOW she was able to attend the ball.  The costumes were beautiful (a lot of them have been used in other ballet productions) and Cortlynn's group actually had brand new ones.  Her costume was so pretty and the mask that was added made it even better. 

Cortlynn has always been a talented dancer, but she is blossoming into a beautiful dancer.  I honestly don't know where her talent comes from (definitely not me).  The ballet directors tell me all the time that some people are born with a talent for ballet-and Cortlynn is one of those people.  When I watch her dance I don't know whether I should smile or cry....I'm just so proud of her.  The dance "season" isn't over yet.  She still has her recital(s) coming up in May and in June she's enrolled in a 3 week summer intensive.  The 3 weeks is a full 15 days of training--from instructors visiting from other dance companies in the country as well as other countries.  She is soooo excited, because she will actually be able to learn "pointe".  I'm getting a little nervous because the pointe shoes don't come "put together".  You actually have to sew the ribbon and elastic onto the shoe.  I'm going to have to call someone to help me with them.  I'm completely out of my comfort level.  The closest I came to ballet-was my music jewelry box I had when I was little that had a ballerina that twirled when you opened the lid.

These are a few photos of the dress rehearsal.  That would be why Sergiu is in a warm up suit and red tennis shoes and NOT his ballet tights. 

During the performances they had items on tables in the lobby you could bid on.  Devin and I liked this clock so I was able to put in the bid that "won".  It helped that I was out in the lobby for most of the evening performance with Kyra so I looked at the bid sheets right before they closed the auction.  Tee Hee Hee---I bet the person that bid before me was mad when she saw I beat her by $1.00.

Last week I made spaghetti for dinner and Kyra thought it would be cute to eat it with her toes.  She kept sticking her toes into the bowl and getting the noodles.  A little nasty but she is just so dang cute.  The other thing she has decided to do is climb on everything.  We've had to hide some of our chair because she would move them around the house, climb up on it, and get into things that are on the counters:  books, jelly beans, pens.....  Now she has decided to climb on the oven door handles to reach up onto the counter.  What a stinker!!!!

4 Reasons I'm posting

Here it is April 16Th-the day BEFORE you should file your taxes and I'm playing on the blog NOT FILING our taxes. Just not looking forward to them this year...Good thing I have a few more hours. I really need to stay on top of this blog better because when I actually sit down to write down my thoughts, I end up having an overflow--almost a diarrhea of thoughts. ;-) AKA my crazy venting.

1: Bottomless Fries/Endless Salad
Last month we went to Wingers for dinner. Cortlynn won a couple of meal certificates and they were having a special where you get two meals and all you can eat "family" style salad. I don't know why we continue to go to Wingers because we NEVER get good service, but I always think-next time. We sit there and Tristan gets his Mac & cheese-eats ALL of it before we get our meal. When she brings our meal-we ask about our salad---oh, yeah....sorry. Definitely NOT an endless salad. So upset.
The other day we went to Red Robin--you know-the place with Bottomless Fries (or that is at least what I've heard from my brother). I've been there a total of 3 times since it has been in Idaho Falls and have never experienced bottomless anything. I'm lucky to get a drink refill. On this visit I made sure to get another order of fries. We were completely done and the waitress brought the ticket; I looked at her and told her that I would like more fries. She almost looked "put out". What really upset me was the fact her other tables around us were offered more fries multiple times. AAAHHHH!!!!!! Is it me? Is it because I usually have my children with me? What is the problem??

2: When did church become everything BUT church?
Last week the kids and I went to church. We get there 15 minutes early and end up on the hard seats because the entire ward shows up early and takes their "assigned" seats. We were in the middle of singing the sacrament hymn when a guy walks thru the door looking for his family. Keep in mind he is a grown man with a wife and children. He locates them in the front row (of course) and heads on up-with his reading material in hand. You may think, reading material-she must be talking about a Bible, Book of Mormon, perhaps a primary lesson book---Oh no, you would all be mistaken. He was holding his copy of "Catching Fire"--that would be the 2nd book in the Hunger Games Trilogy. REALLY??? Is that appropriate? My favorite past time-is everyone with there smart phones-I know-some have church apps on them-but not the ones that are usually sitting by me---It chaps my behind when people act like this-I am not here to preach-but you know, I get looks from people at the church sometimes wondering who I am, what I'm doing, why I'm there, and things have actually been said TO MY FACE---Devin has been told that he needs to get his work schedule changed so he can go to church more (it's a lifestyle change they tell him) I just don't get it. Leave the outside world home for 1 hour people. My 11, 5, and 15month old have more reverence than some of those adults.

3: Public Place doesn't mean PUBLIC
The kids and I were at Tastee Treet (one of the finest eating establishments in Pocatello) waiting for our meal when I hear: click, click, click, click click, ccccliccckkkkk----the guy two tables behind me was clipping his nails. I can't stand hearing nails being clipped--hearing my own grosses me out sometimes---but when it is a strangers at an eating establishment I almost lost it. I didn't say anything because I was worried he would say something mean in front of the kids-but as soon as he left I told the employees that they may need to clean that table. That poor girl---she was sooo grossed out. I don't understand people--I should have plopped out my boob and started nursing Kyra in front of him. I'm sure he would have had something to say about that.

4: Hoochie Mamma Women need to stay away!
I don't understand how women can blatantly flirt with someone while their spouse is there. I can only imagine how they are when I'm not. On Friday Devin and I went to a Friends house for her husbands graduation from college party. I really didn't want to go because I only knew 2 people and I'm so anti-social anymore it's pathetic---as soon as we walk thru the door I wanted to turn around and walk back out. One of the most annoying co-workers of Devin's was there and she was awful. She went on and on about how Devin is the only one at the store that has shoulders for her to cry on....that he is just such a nice, sweet man---that once you get to know him, you can't but "love" him. Uuuhhhh WTH??? Than she actually said----"DEeevvvvviiinnnnn-when are you going to take me elk hunting?" I piped up---he doesn't go elk hunting. "Well-when are you taking me fishing?" That was it---we left, and as soon as we got to the car I told Devin that he will NEVER be taking her hunting!!! I would never act like that to someone that is married or in a relationship (and she was texting a married man horrible things the entire time we were at the party) One of these days I will go ape Sh*t crazy and take a cookie sheet to the floozies heads. ;-)

******The kids are doing great this week. ;-) Thought I would say something positive in this post********

Easter 2012

Yesterday we celebrated Easter and I think the kids had a nice day. On Saturday we colored 36 eggs---Kyra wanted to help too. She was so cute. That night Devin and I hid eggs all over the house and little Kyra would walk behind me and pick them up. The entire process of hiding eggs seemed like it took FOREVER! When she realized there was candy inside of them-she couldn't be stopped. Easter morning was nice-Devin had to work so I got up with the kids to hunt for Easter eggs and see their baskets. Cortlynn got a barbie and CD, Tristan got a batman helicopter and a movie, and Kyra got two dolls. (Devin surprised us and got fishing poles for me, Cortlynn, and Tristan.) The kids also received new Easter clothes which I made them put on for pictures before church.

Kyra packed around her Easter basket all day.

I didn't get one picture with all 3 children looking at me and smiling. They were all being stinkers.

Doesn't he look handsome?!

Kyra coloring eggs

The 3 older children ;-)

OUCH! Spring, and "What are you doing??"

Kyra has had one of "those" weeks. Since birth she has had nasty ears----constant ear infections and when she doesn't have infections they are filled with wax. I hate to take her to the doctor every time she rubs her ears or is a little cranky because it isn't always an ear infection-just nasty wax. Well-she had her 15 month check up today and I told her doctor that she has been rubbing her ear a lot and I can hear stuff in it---she looked in it and yep--it is full of pus. She swabbed it and will test it to see what kind of bacteria she's growing. ;-( Now she is on ear drops to hopefully clear it up.)
Last night we were playing outside and she was pushing the tricycle around until it tipped over--her fingers ended up underneath the handle bars and she was on top of it. I pick her up and kiss her one finger and she keeps screaming. When I get her in the house I'm looking at her finger and realize the one I was kissing wasn't even the one that was really hurt. Nope-she had torn the skin off of part of a finger and her nail was already black. I felt terrible. Now each child has had a finger injury by age 2. Maybe I should create a collage of finger injuries and hang it on a wall.

Kyra's poor little finger. Not a very good picture because she wouldn't hold still for it today.

The other night we played outside. ALL of the kids were so excited to get outside and play on the bikes and the jeep. Kyra wasn't too sure about the texture of the grass-but I think she would have stayed out there all night.

Tristan and Kyra were sooooo cute in the jeep. They rode in it so much the battery died.

A friend of my moms gave Kyra some clothes and these sparkly boots. They are too big but she wears them anyway!!! Look at that cheesy smile.

The piano is such a hit with the kids--they actually fight over who can sit on the bench and play it.

This past week I decided to make a little change in my life and I don't know if it was the best decision. The jury is still out. I decided to start running. Yep-I said running! All of you that know me knows that I am NOT a runner. I took track in high school once and never ran a race-I conveniently missed my races. ;-) tee hee hee The last time I ran was 3 years ago and that resulted in most of my toe nails turning black and the doctor telling me I should have surgery on my feet to correct the deformity. Fast forward 3 years and I start a "From the Couch to 5k" training system. In the past week I've run 5 times for a total of 15 minutes. I can run and not be winded but my knees are awful! They are literally yelling, "WHAT are you doing, ---?? you need to sit back on the couch or stick to walking!!!!" My knees hurt soooo bad that I can't even walk down stairs let alone run. Devin told me to take a couple of days off to see if they get better and than start again---but-they don't seem to feel better(maybe even slightly worse-now they hurt to walk on flat ground) hmmmmm....Maybe I wasn't meant to be a runner. We'll have to wait and see.