Feb 7th - 13th

We just go from one busy week to the next around here. On the 7th I spoke in Stake Conference. In our church we have a lay ministry and everyone, or most everyone, gets the opportunity to speak in our Sunday meetings. Twice a year we have Stake Conference - a meeting on a Sunday for the 6 or 7 wards in the Stake. It is held on Saturday night from 7-8:30pm for the adults and then on Sunday morning from 10am - 12pm for the entire family. I was one of the 3 members of the stake asked to speak at the Sunday morning session. There were other speakers, but 3 of us are just congregational members. It was a wonderful experience and if you missed it, I do have a written copy I could send you if you are interested. It was on trials and how we deal with all the negative stuff that goes on around us.

On Sunday, David also made, or almost made his first batch of Rice Krispy treats. He was so cute, "That's all you do?" "Ummm....maybe you should stir..." I helped him out and we finished them up together. We are so very proud of him and his accomplishment!! :)

Monday I delivered our blankets and then I picked up my new hearing aid. For those who hadn't heard I lost one at Sac State - I set it in my lap in the car while using my Bluetooth and then got out of the car and didn't notice it was gone until we were half-way home. David went back at least twice and I went once to look for it, but alas - it was gone. So, I had to order a new one, thank goodness Kaiser covered it.

Tuesday I saw my doctor - no real change - he did decide to cut my dose of Etoposide in half and try that for a while. That was good - less toxins = less side effects. More about that later...

On Tuesday night we had Helaman's kindergarten play. He was an alligator and he did an awesome job!! The play was the best one I have seen all the kids seemed to know their lines and project really well. It was just his class so there were 23 kids in the play. It was great!! Helaman was a little disappointed because he wanted to be a snake not an alligator. His teacher couldn't figure out why - she gave him the part with the whistle and a few lines and thought he would be thrilled. We figured out his disappointment had to do with the costumes. To quote Helaman, "The snakes look like Rock Stars!" They had sequined vests. Funny boy!!

Wednesday Faith had a birthday - more later....

Wednesday I started chemo again.

Thursday I had chemo again.

Friday was the kids' Valentine's Day Parties. They all came home with bags full of Valentines and candy. I had to make a bag for Nephi so he would stop yelling at them to share. Poor kid felt left out. He was sad until he got his own bag.

Friday was also the Percy Jackson and the Olympians movie - more later....

Saturday the girls had play practice and it was mine and David's 12th anniversary. Thanks to Natasha who watched the kids so we could go out to dinner. We went to the Fat City restaurant in Old Sacramento. It was really nice and a fun night.

So that was the week. Busy, busy, busy. But good busy!! I will give more info on those special events. I will try to update that tomorrow...we shall see if that works out.

Disney "Give a Day"

I really, really, really want to take my kids to Disneyland. When I was a kid we went with my mom a few weeks before she died and it is a great memory that I have. Then in following years my dad took us and we loved going! I remember visiting my cousins on those trips and going to the beach. The whole experience makes up a lot of my childhood memories. So, I want to at least once take my kids to Disneyland. They get to go when they're 8 with Grandma and Grandpa as well, but I want to take them! So I told David that I had heard about this promotion that Disney is doing - "Give a Day, Get a Day." As I looked into it I found a local organization that we could make blankets for and then we could get free tickets to Disneyland. You have to start at Disney's website and sign up there, so I signed up for us to all make a blanket for an organization located about 30 minutes from our home. Here are the kids making their blankets:

Helaman chose an army print for his blanket. I did help him with his. He was so happy when he was done. He was very proud of himself and earning his own ticket!

Vilate did her blanket by her self and was so pleased. I think I helped her with one or two but she did a great job.

Hyrum stayed up late one night to get his done. He did it with absolutely no parental help. It was great because it was something that I only had to show him once and he just sat down and got it done. That very rarely happens with this kid. He is brilliant, he just wants to do what he wants when he wants with no one telling him different and he really doesn't like being reminded that he needs to get something done. I think enjoyed making the blanket.

Faith also made her blanket in an evening. She loved doing it and kept bugging me to help with mine. She loves making things and helping others, so this was a great project for her.

I signed up Dave, myself, Faith, Hyrum, Vilate and Helaman; Gloria and Nephi weren't old enough. I also got my parents on board. They got their blankets made and they will be going with us. We bought a bunch of polar fleece (I spent close to $100) and then we spent the first weeks of February trimming them and tying them. It was so fun. The kids loved it.

We are planning taking our trip to Disneyland next week. We will drive down on the 11th, go to Disney on the 12th and head home on the 13th. A quick trip but we hope for good weather and great memories!!

Mag, blood, party

I finished off the first week of February with a Magnesium infusion and a blood transfusion and then go to go to my good friend, Dawn's baby shower. She gave birth a week later to the cutest little girl! She looks just like the Valentine kids and I'm sure they are enjoying having her in their house! It was a fun shower with a great turn out and wonderful food!

BANG!

I am going to fill in the month of February so that everyone - including me can catch up! It started out with a BANG - and not necessarily the best one! My dad went in on the 1st for an angiogram and came out with 3 stints and the knowledge that he has some heart disease and needs to change a few things. The bummer is that he is a pretty healthy guy - he walks frequently, eats well and tries to do his best. I am glad that he hasn't had to suffer any major problems with his heart and continue to pray for his heart to function. I love my dad and my moms. I am a lucky girl, blessed with parents (all of them) that love me.