Happy Easter

This is not my Easter post.

Kate woke up pretty sick on Saturday for a ward breakfast and Easter Egg Hunt.  I managed to pass off all of my responsibilities (almost unheard of) just in case she woke up sicker on Sunday (which she did).

I took all three kids to the dr's to see if Kate had an ear infection because of the slight fever and the fact that she's been waking up a few times at night.  No infection.

I filled Easter baskets.  They were a hit and contained almost no candy.

I didn't dress my kids up in their super cute Easter Outfits because we didn't go to church.

I brought them up to my mom's and we did a little Easter Egg hunt and colored eggs.

Hyrum had a small issue later in the day and we were all convinced he had a UTI.  So he and I went to a kids instacare tonight.  No infection.

When we got in the car to drive to the dr's my van wouldn't start.  I had left the keys in it when we got there a few hours earlier and the battery had drained.

If any one is counting, that's all three kids in the dr's in 6 days.  And, the only one on an antibiotic is the one that I thought was healthy and just in for a well child check.

Justin has been traveling for a good 24 hours and finally made it to Kyrgyzstan.  I don't know where it is either.

I've pretty much gotten through these last 5 weeks because it felt like an extended work trip for Justin.  It doesn't feel like that any more.

I've had a headache all day that won't go away and I haven't really slept much for the week.

I'm going to bed now.  Expect a nice, fun, family filled, spring-y Easter post later this week.

Send off

I think it would be better if Justin wrote this, but I don't think that's going to happen, so I'll have to do it with the limited information I actually have (if I get a more detailed version, I'll fill it in later).  Also, he didn't manage to update dropbox, so the pictures are just instagram screenshots.  

After a few flight changes Justin and the group of servicemen/women that he's been with at Fort McCrady left for Afghanistan.  (I think that's where they were all going).  

They had a very nice (and emotional) send off from the American Legion (?), including a biker and police escort.  

He received this note and a star from a retired American Flag.

And then a quick call while waiting for the plane.  

I think today had been a bit of an emotional day for all of us.  

Conspiracy

Hyrum "Wait, you let mom sleep all night?"

Milo "Ya, I needed some sleep and I figured she did to"

Kate "You don't understand how it works around here"

Hyrum "We've been sleeping all night because we thought you had it covered, but if that's the case, we'll have to figure something else out."

Milo "Well, what do you want me to do?"

Kate "I'll try something new tonight, start sobbing or crying a few times during the night, I'll start before mom even goes to bed, that might be interesting"

Milo "Okay, I'll start around 5 am, try to convince her I want to wake up super early"

Hyrum "Sounds good, let me know if I need to jump in there for anything.  Oh, here she comes -as you were"

There isn't a doubt in my mind that these conversations aren't taking place on a regular basis.  

March 18-28

Mar 18
Little kids birthday party.  A LOT of little kids!

Mar 19
T-ball started today.  Yay.  It seemed like Hyrum had a bit more patience and I'm hoping he likes it better for longer.

Mar 20
I love Wednesdays.  Our friend Erin comes over in the afternoon and I go to the gym for an hour.

Mar 21
I hadn't checked the weather for a while, and wasn't expecting to wake up to snow.

Mar 22
I got my new computer!  I'm really liking it.

Mar 23
Gordon and Jessica offered to watch my kids for a few hours on Saturday.  It was great!  I went to lunch with some friends and then the gym.  I even stopped for a couple of things at the grocery store.

Mar 24
Easter Sunday dinner at the Gough's.  A couple of the kids taking a short lived break on the couch.

Mar 25
Milo had a doctor's appointment today.  He's a big kid, taking after his sister.

Mar 26
Kate giving dad a hug (thanks to technology Justin has eaten dinner 'with us' a lot this week.

Mar 27
It was Kate's turn to sleep over at Mimi's and Papa's.  She wanted to wait in her car seat for Mimi to show up.

Mar 28
Mail.  Not even a weeks worth.  (Obviously not all our personal mail, mostly it's the businesses.

Fortunate

I have been overwhelmed at the outpouring of service and kind words that we have felt since Justin left.  I didn't even realize until he mentioned it today that it has been a month already. 

I don't want to share specifics, but please know that every note, email, offer to watch the kids, meal, clothing item and every other act is very much appreciated and I am very grateful for all of it.  

Thank you

New and Slim

No, I'm not talking about a new pair of jeans (I wish that were the case).

I have a habit of 1-buying cheap laptops and 2-using them until they are past the 'best by' date.  (and 3-not being very kind to them in the interim).

The one before this last one had to be used on the table, with it propped up and fan going to keep it cool enough, and my most recent one also has a cooling problems and it no longer has a battery that works, so when it comes unplugged -even for a second- it shuts off.

We learned our lesson a while ago about backing up or storing your files on something that isn't right in front of you ($2,000 in restoring a bad media drive will do that to you).  So, I don't need a very heavy duty machine.  I decided I needed something more than a tablet, but I just a computer to search the internet, manipulate photos, and I do need a word, excel and power point program.

I saw a commercial for the Chromebook and noticed the price ($250, and they have one that is even less than that) and was curious.  Luckily I have a friend who is very familiar with them and I felt confident that I could do everything I do with one.  Fast forward a few months plus an extra day or two because I actually shipped it to my parents... but it's here!

And it's so cute and light.  I'm a fan so far.

March 11-17

11th  The kids played at the park next to our church while I taught organ lessons.  (Don't worry, someone was watching them)

12th 

I discovered wasabi flavored almonds.  Delicious.  And, it's built in portion control since you can only have one or two in your mouth at a time.  

13th

Birthday card from my uncle Paul.  He never disappoints.  

14th

Happy Birthday to me.  I love it.  

15th

More wonderful sunny and warm days.  This day the kids played on our little playground by our house.  

16th

I went to Tiffany's in the morning (I had to return the necklace to have it lengthened) and then Home Depot.  Not a typical Saturday for me on either account.  

17th

Dinner at my parents house.  Gordon was very proud of his etch a sketch and Matt just can't stay out of pictures.  

DIY

I'm not much for DIY projects or crafty-ness.  Which means I go to Home Depot maybe twice a year.

Today I stopped there and got a few things. (After we went to Tiffany's - just a typical Saturday- Tiffany's and Home Depot!)

One of our outlet covers cracked (next to a chair that get's moved too much) a while ago.  Like... a couple months ago I bet.  Instead of just replacing it I thought I'd kill two birds with one stone and get one that is also automatically childproof.  Kind of a cool idea. If it looks crooked it's because 1-it is, and 2-the little face looking parts move to the side when not in use and straighten out when you plug something in it.  Pretty cool huh.

Okay... for some of you 3M hooks hardly count as a DIY project.  And, I'll be honest this was the second easiest thing I got done today.  They're in my closet and for my little tank tops that I wear under other things.  Free's up a lot of hangers and a bit of space in my closet.
  

This one is for the kids.  They can reach the towel in the main level bathroom, but can't put it back, so it's often on the floor.  This way I'll have two in there and the kids can maybe put their towel away.

You thought the 3M was a stretch?  These just break periodically and I needed to replace a few.  

This is the one where I had to use power tools.

And yes, this one is super crooked and I had to try twice.  Oh well, the kids bikes will be hung up in the garage now.

Not a bad day day.  I only had to call my dad once.

My other half

Justin spent two weeks in San Diego and is now at Camp McCrady in Fort Jackson, South Carolina for weapons training for another two weeks.

And picture taking.