I forgot to post these last week of the Scouts super cool election night that Sister Izatt put on for Pack meeting. We talked about voting and the importance of it, we played a trivia game about our local leaders and then she had a voting booth for the boys to vote on their upcoming activity. She did a great job and it was really cute. (And Jana, I did vote to pull weeds/rake leaves at your house! Sorry it didn't win!) Thank you scouting program and leaders, we appriciate everything you do!

My neck (and shoulders & jaw & back)

This is just for my documenting- skip this post if you dont want to hear my complaining! It was almost a month ago exactly that my neck started throbbing and aching. I though it would go away, perhaps I pulled it or twisted wrong, but after a week I started to doubt it. The pain was awful and I guess I thought if I just "wished" it away- it would dissapear, but I was wrong, again. By week 2 I knew something was wrong because the pain was getting horrible to deal with. Advil was saving me, but it felt like my vertabre were crushed up inside each other. It killed. Like last year when it happened, just the weight of lifting up my head was too much to bear. By week 3 my headaches were more inteanse than normal, my neck felt compacted & crushed, my shoulders hurt So bad and my jaw started aching agin. My back just had it's normal pain, the pain that I am so used to feeling. I knew it was time to do something because by this time I wanted to cut my head off. I just laid in bed almost in tears everyday. On Monday I went to a Chiropractor here in town. He was a nice guy, just not one that was going to target the problem and help me, so I called my chiroprator in Boise and went in 3 times this week. The drive, gas, and time it all takes isn't fun- but I was at my breaking point and desperete. I wish I could say I am feeling better, but the pain is still horrible. I've been iceing it and taking Advil but hopefully I'll start feeling the effects of getting my back straightened out. I've had 3 different Chiroprators ask if I have been in a car accident, and each time I've said "Nope." They have all been shocked because of how messed up I am. On Monday I was asked if I was a gymnast growing up, and again I said, "No." He said I had a horrible curve in my lower back which was causing a lot of my problems. Dr Dudley did a back scan and found all my problem areas so they could target them. A huge problem is my lower back is not straight and curving in the oppisite direction which is why I've had back pain probably my whole life. He said when it's going the wrong direction, the rest of my back pulls in the oppisite direction to compensate and try to balance it out. The problem is, your body can only compensate and adjust for so long until you hit a wall- that's what has happened. The pain has been awful. After 4 adjustments, he said my upper neck is getting better and he's working at getting my jaw, back and shoulders better as well. Oh how I pray...

School desk & new book shelf...

A few weeks ago I found this cool desk for $ 2.00 at a yard sale! It was already bright yellow but it needed a few more coats to make it shine. I just happened to have yellow spray paint that I picked up from a yard sale for .50! On Saturday I found this tall book shelf at a yard sale for $ 1.00! I knew it would replace the one already in the girl's room, that I loved, but I was grateful for the added space (drawers)of the new one. I painted the black edges and drawer fronts and the girl's love it. It is pretty huge but it's worth it when I see the kids reading and enjoying their books!

Roman...

Jog-a-thon...

Last week the kids had their jog-a-thon at school and earned $ 116.50 for their school! I was surprised at how well the kids did! Tristin made it around 7 laps, Grace did 7 laps and Daisy did 6 (although only 5 were counted. I kept track too, but she wanted to go off her teacher's count!) Good job kiddos!

3 months old!

Guess who turned 3 months old on Saturday? That's right, Roman is 3 months already! Crazy huh? I love this little man!

A little motivation was all I needed...

I just returned from the kid's jog-a-thon at school a few minutes ago. Before the run started I was chatting with a friend about how I needed to start going to the church work out group not far from home but I was lacking motivation. I told her she should come with me! (basically my sad attempt to hold someone else accountable for my work-out program!) After the run ended a SUPER annoying girl found me and proceeded to ask a thousand questions. " Oh is that your baby? Oh, it's so cute. Can I hold it? Why not? Is that your blanket? Is that where he's going to lay down? Can I sit on it? Can I have some gum? Why not? I like your baby. Can I hold it? Can I have some gum? Why not, she's chewing some? Your little girl is walking over there. Can I go too? Why not? Seriously- it continued forever and not to mention she had the world's loudest voice. She was the most persistant little thing I have ever met and before leaving she asks: Are you going to have a girl? And I said "nope, I'm all done having kids." Then she said, "Is it a girl?" And I pointed to Roman and said, "no he's a boy." Next she said, "No I mean the one in there," sticking her finger in my stomach. I half laughed and said, "No there's no baby in there." "Then why does it look like you have one in there? she asked" "Well, I said a little shocked, "it just happens sometimes." Finally she left and I just stood there now trying to suck in my stomach even more. Where the heck did you come from? I thought. I kinda just stood there and collected myself half wanting to cry, half wanting to slap her and half wanting to reach for a carton of ice cream to drown in. Seeking some reassurance I asked Daisy as she was walking by if I still looked pregnant. She wrinkled her face and said, "No!." I told her about "brat- face" and she tried to reassure me. It didn't work. I guess that was all I needed today, right? A little motivation...

ReOrganizing...

I've been working on a few projects around the house lately and it feels to great to dejunk and reorganize. Yesterday I worked on the girl's room for hours. I got rid of 2 garbage bags and it was super. Today I was working on redoing my Calendar Board. I'm still working on repainting a few items and trying to get better with a menu, so it isn't complete, but it's getting there again!

Miss Willow turns 3 years old!

Miss Willow turned 3 years old yesterday and we celebrated with a Dora party! We were planning/picking stuff up on clearance and finding treasures at yard sales for the past few months. She had a great time but was a little shy at times and pretty quiet. She was embarrased when we sang Happy Birthday, but I know she loved it. She is such a sweet little girl and I'm glad she had fun with all her friends. It gave us grown ups an excuse to get together and eat! (I tried a few new reciepes Mom! Can you believe it?!) I made a warm bean dip w/ chips, tortilla pinwheel wraps, cookies sandwiches, ice cream cone cupcakes, strawberries & dip, apples and caramel (Angie made that yummy goodness!) carrots/celery & dip, water, and a pack of store bought cupcakes that were marked down that she REALLY wanted and we put Dora stickers on top of. Thanks everyone for coming and celebrating with Willow! We love you guys and appriciate your friendship!

What I do for the kids during General Confrence

General Confrence is coming up in 1 week and I love having fun activities for the kids to play with while we watch. I know the hours wear on the kids after 2 days, but it's important to me that we are all together listening to church leaders and their amazing stories and lessons for us. We play a game every session involving candy, of course! The kids each pick 1 word and write it down. Whenever they hear their word, they get to pick a treat from the bowl and eat it. I usually use fruit snacks, jelly beans, marshmallows or chocolate chips so they are not OD-ing on candy all morning- and they love it! They are actually listening to the talks and getting a little treat every once inawhile too. I love the site somewhatsimple.com and on there she has General Conference packets you can print for your kids (for free)! They are geared for ages 10 and under (my guess) and are super cute. I printed out 3 on white cardstock for the bigger kids, I think they will have fun. After Conference is over and if they are filled in, they can pick a prize from the surprise box! I've also had them write word lists where they have to write down 10- 20 words they heard during conference. Candy is always an incentive in our house! I also let them make confrence books. I get out construction paper, staplers, crayons, glue and old Friend magazines. They cut pictures from the magazines and glue them into their books. It keeps the girls busy for awhile. I also get out coloring books and quiet toys for Willow.