Mice

Around 1 this morning Ammon came walking into our room. He climbed onto our bed and laid down between us. After a minute or so he asks me to feel both side of his feet. Not knowing why I feel his feet (he had a balnket sleeper on) and they felt fine to me.
A few minutes later he asks me if something is nibling on his feet? I tell him no and ask why. He tells me that it feels like his feet got nibbled on, and he asks me what nibbles on feet-mice or bed bugs. Ok we DON'T have bed bugs or mice, so I was confused.
He then asks me to feel his calf and see if anything is nibbling on it. Totally confused (remember it's 1 in the morning) I start asking more questions. This is what I found out: He had a bad dream that mice were nibbling on his feet.
He then climbs on top of Johann and lays there. After a few minutes Johann rolls him off. He now starts to ask if mice can climb. I tell him yes. He then asks if he can sleep on top of me so he's farther away from the mice which are on the floor!
I let him lay on me until it hurts, then rolled him off.
He asks more questions and I check his feet and legs a few more times, and reassure him that we have NO mice in our house.
An hour and a half later he then says sleepy "Mom I never, ever want to go to a pet store again!" I ask him why and he says "Mice, I don't want to see the mice."

A few nights ago at the science fair, 2 girls had mice who were in a maze looking for apple pieces, and that's the only thing I can think of that might have mase him dream about mice.

I'm guessing he'll NEVER EVER ask to have mice for a pet, which is perfectly fine with me.

Science Fair

Tonight was the science fair at school. This was the 1st year that Simeon could participate in it.
Simeon decided on the experiment "How much salt does it take to float an egg?" I didn't think we have enough salt in the house because I thought it would take 5 cups of salt to make in float in 2 1/2 cups of water. Simeon thought it would take 5 TBS.

The 1st time we did the experiment I was very surprise to find out it only took 6 TBS to get it to float. Simeon was MUCH closer to the answer then I was.


Simeon put his board together with some help from mom.



An up close view of the eggs in the water. The plain water on the left and the salt water on the right.

Some of the other experiments at the fair were: dancing raisins, erupting volcanoes, dancing noodles, sink or float, 2 hoover crafts, a tornado, lots of goop (cornstarch and water), slime (borax and glue) and a 2 mice in a maze trying to find the apple pieces.

Ammon really liked the erupting volcanoes and the mice. At 1st he wouldn't touch the goop, then I couldn't get him away from it. Corrine loved the goop and was more then happy to play with it. Simeon didn't have much time to go see the other experiments, but he liked the hoover crafts. Rebecca I think just enjoyed looking at all that was going on. She wouldn't smile at anyone and a few times she waved bye (which usually means she's had enough). When we saw a hoover craft she followed in the the circles it was making, and she seemed fascinated by the mice.

The next morning, Simeon got to get out of class so that all the kids from the school could come see his experiment. He did the experiment for the last group of kids.

Next year he wants to do the science fair again, and do it with do it with a friend.

It's Cookie Time

Cookie Time has come again and our front room once again has turned into the cookie warehouse!! The troop sold over 1,300 boxes of cookies.



Corrine has sold the most so far at 500, which we only had 454 ordered. 120 of those of unsold and are for the office. Last year we sold alot of cookies there and I had to keep going to get more, so I think we'll have no problem getting those cookies sold.
I wish I would have taken a picture of our dinning room tonight after we sorted our orders. You couldn't get to half of the table because the ground was covered with bags of cookies. And the walls had boxes and bags full of orders.


Rebecca looks so little next to the pile of Thin Mints.


Ammon was so cute counting the boxes of thin mints. He got to twenty and started counting by tens. I helped him get back on track and he counted 32 cases of Thin Mints.

Now comes the fun part-delivering and collecting the money.

Happy 7th Birthday Corrine

Here's a little interview with Corrine:

Favorite color-pink & purple
Animal Pig
Movie Sleepy Beauty
Music group Hannah Montana
Tv show Sweet Life on Deck
School subject Writing
Toy-Littest Pet Shop and American Girl Doll
Character Princesses-most especially Sleeping Beauty
Snack/treat cupcakes


Yesterday our house was tranformed into "Corrine's Cooking Academy" for her and 6 friends. The boys were so excited that night to make their own chef hats and to play Junior Chefs.



We decorated her door with 7 ballons and streamers.


Rebecca gave Corrine foam curlers (which she had been asking for) and she opened them the night before her birthday so she could wear them to bed and have curly hair for her birthday.


Corrine's Queen for the Day at the kitchen table.

And last but not least-one of the things Corrine loves best of all-her little sister Rebecca. Corrine LOVES to take care of her and has become aan AWESOME little mommy!!!


We love you Corrine!! Happy Birthday

My new calling

I know some of you are waiting patiently to know what my new calling is. I'm the 2nd counselor in the Young Women's Presidency! I LOVE Young Womens-always have. Kathleen Cannon is the President, Megan Fuja is the 1st counselor, and Merry Powell is the camp leader. We don't have a secretary because we are such a small group.
We have a very small group of girls-just 4 active and 1 or 2 inactive girls, but we have 2 girls who come on Weds that are not members. The girls are have such different personalities, but they get along so nicely. We meet combined since we have 3 Beehives and only 1 Mia Maid.
In the past I have wondered if a calling was divine inspiration (or desperation and knowing I wouldn't say no) but I know this one had to be. I needed this calling as much as the girls hopefully need something from me.
Alot has changed since I was in Young Womens. Personal Progress changed this calendar year and is very different. I'm excited to be able to do it again using the new materials and goals. They also added some things to the motto including virtue as a value and strenthening home and family.
Since this calling requires Weds nights at church Johann has taken off every Weds night so he can be home with the kids. Thankfully he didn't have any appointments scheduled on those nights. I know that was another divine intervention! There will be some times that we both need to be at something at the same time, but we'll make it work.
Until the March Enrichment dinner I will still be helping with the Enrichment Activity commitee. I promised them I wouldn't leave them 2 1/2 weeks before an activity I helped plan.

Just so you know-Kathleen has a 6 week old daughter, Megan has a 1 year old daughter and a baby boy due mid July and Rebecca is 7 1/2 months old. These girls are going to have LOTS of chances to help out with little girls. I don't think they'll mind that!!

The Little Chef

Ammon put this together then called us in to see it. He gave it the name "the little chef."

Going Private

After much thought I have decided to make our blog private. I will turn it private on March 1st. If you would like to continue to read our blog I will need to send you an invitation. If you would like an invitation please leave a comment on this post with your email address, or email me at my email address (you should have it if you know me) and I'll email out an invitation.

Sorry for the extra step this adds, but the safety of my family is #1.
Kari

Following the Leader

I just had to take this picture of Simeon, Corrine and Ammon today.

Today was a no school day, so this morning we went out to the Coral Ridge mall to get Corrine's 7 year old pictures taken. We walked down to the food court (which is at the other end-about a 3 mile walk!!). The kids were more then happy to walk there and back, but on the way back they were getting in everyones way. I felt like I was a broken record "kids watch where your walking", "stay on the right", "watch out for other people."

Then all of the sudden I looked at them and found them following eachother. Walking on the same line as the one in front of them. They were staying out of other people's way and enjoying the walk back to the van.

A Day of Love

What a treat to have Valentines Day on Sunday so we could enjoy it as a family.


Johann surprised me on Friday with a bouquet of flowers. I came home from being out all morning to find in the mist of our messy dining room table flowers. It was a nice surprise!


I found these really cute little mailboxes at Target. The boys had both inherited dart guns, but we only had 4 darts, so they each got a package of darts (different colors), and Reese's Heart in their mailboxes. Corrine got lipglosses and a Reese's Heart in hers. Rebecca got pink pacifiers and yogurt melts in hers.

We had waffles with strawberries and whip cream for breakfast. YUM!

For dinner we had Grandma and Grandpa Smith over. We had baked steak, mashed potatoes, rolls, and salad. For desert we had a homemade baked cheesecake with raspberry sauce and of course-pink sherbet!

3 words

A few weeks back Great Grandma Riddle had some strokes which have left her trapped in a body that isn't functioning like it used to. She has had some complications this week that landed her in the ICU so she could be monitored more closely.

This morning Rebecca and I went to see Grandma Riddle. Rebecca had just woken up from a very short nap, and didn't want to smile at first, but she started warming up and started smiling. Grandma Riddle doesn't talk very often. This morning she nodded her head, grimpsed and turned her lips up slightly to smile when we were visiting with her, and telling her about what's been going on. I knew she knew who we were and what we were talking about.
This afternoon Grandma Smith went up to see her. She asked Grandma Riddle if Rebecca had come up to see her. It was then she said the only words she spoke all day "She's a cutie."
I am so glad I made the time to go visit Grandma Riddle this morning. It's these memories I want the kids to have of their grandma.

Look at me GO

Rebecca has started becoming mobile the last few days. When she was just a few months old, she'd roll from her back to her stomach, but then she stopped doing it. She hasn't really like being on her stomach until this week when she started rolling both ways, turning in circles and moving backwards. She'll get onto her knees a little bit.
She's good at getting herself stuck somewhere, but getting out of it.


She's up on her knees ready to go-but the only place she goes is backwards!


Rebecca rolled herself up in the quilt by herself. She was on her stomach, grabbed on corner of the quilt, then rolled over-covering herself up!!


I love this picture of her. I was on the other side of the table (which is now banished along with the baskets of books under it for a few months) looking between the baskets of books. She was so excited to see me pop up there.

I am so excited for her to crawl, yet so scared of her crawling. I need to get some serious Rebecca proofing done. We moved in this house when Ammon was 1 year old and we never had to really baby proof it. Rebecca puts EVERYTHING in her mouth, so I need to get down on her level and get ready for a crawler quickly!!

What is my new part?

2 months ago begun an very exciting and highly anticipated time in our lives-Simeon was finishing chemo, and having his port out. We all looked forward to this time. Then it was over.
Since Ammon got sick as a baby 4 1/2 years ago, I was given a major role of "watching and making sure all was ok". Then when Simeon got sick that role turned into a bigger role of "nurse, and watching every detail regarding Simeon and being able to change our lives at the drop of a hat if he got sick, and knowing what was to worry about and what was not regarding his health."
Jan 10, 2010 Simeon finished chemo, his port was out and my role of watching every detail with and around him was gone. Then Ammon finished his meds Feb 3rd (for reflux) and again my role in his care was gone.
The past month I've been struggling but not knowing why. Why was I so down, why didn't I know what to do, where to start or even why I should do it. Something was missing and I didn't know what, or how to find out.

Then came Dance Marathon.

I was talking with a mom whose son has been off treatment for 2 years. She asked how it was being off chemo. I told her 'it wasn't that different, and maybe that's because I felt like I was in the honeymoon period.' Then it hit me. My role as "nurse, caregiver to sick kids, watcher of every detail, medicine giver, medicine orderer, appointment maker and taker and so many other roles I needed to have regarding the boys and their health" was gone. GONE, no longer there, no longer needed, no longer.
It hit me this weekend that part of what I've been feeling and dealing with was not knowing where I fit, not knowing what my role was. I'm still a mom to 4 kids-4 HEALTHY kids. 4 kids who don't need their mom to know every single little detail about their body and those around them and the illnesses they have. I am a mom mom who can act somewhat like the other moms out there regarding their children's health. I don't have all the appointments to make and take them to, I don't have to wonder how I was going to rearrange our lives if Simeon got a fever and had to be admitted, I don't have to order medicine every week, the important phone number list is no longer on the cupboard staring out at me, I don't need the phone calls about how many kids are sick at school and to make the decision to pull or keep the kids in school and I don't have to worry about Simeon's port getting damaged and what would happen if it did. So many roles and areas of watching are gone.

So what do I do now. Figuring this out has been a major help. It's as if a major weight has been lifted, now that I can put into words what I'm been feeling. I'm not sure where I go from now to fill that space, or how to keep it open.
I know that Heavenly Father works in amazing ways. Sunday afternoon I was given a new calling. A calling that I am overjoyed to be asked to fulfill. It's a calling I've always dreamed of having. It's a area of the church that I absolutely LOVE and have always LOVED and am so excited to serve in. I haven't been sustained so I can't say the calling, but I can say I can't wait to start serving. Why I figured this all out and was given a calling in the same weekend is because Heavenly Father knows me and loves me and He knew that I needed this now.
So what is my new part-it's a part that Heavenly Father directly had a hand in. A part that He knew I needed and could do. He is giving me what I need to fill the void that was created when my role in the boys health was no longer as needed. Don't get me wrong, I will still watch Simeon like a hawk for any signs that something isn't right, and Ammon will be watched also to make sure his symptoms don't return, but the time of major watching and concern are gone.
There's a song that talks about "parts". It talks about what part is mine and what part is Heavenly Fathers. I know He knows our lives and directs them if we will let Him. I know He knew I needed to know my part, but He wanted me to figure things out first, then He could step in and help me, knowing that I needed His help.
I'm grateful we have a loving Heavenly Father who knows and loves us nad knows what we need. I'm grateful that He does stand back and let us struggle and figure things out first so that we can learn and grow. I have grown so much over the past 4 1/2 years and I will never look back on those years and struggles with regret or anger. I will always look back on them with gratitude that we were asked to endure those so we could learn and grow as individuals and as a family.

Dance Marathon

This was our 4th year going to Dance Marathon. This year as in years past Dance Marathon was AWESOME!!! The Theme for the Family Room was Disney. All year at the family events they had us sign banners decorated with Disney characters and they had those up on the walls. This year they added a jump house for the kids, they had cotton candy, popcorn and slushies for treats. Since it was a Disney theme they had princess dress up clothes and a girl boutique along with the costume dress up area. We took our Flashes of Hope pictures Friday evening and they looked like turned out really nice. I'm really excited to see them!


Ammon found a Narnia knight costume that he fell in love with and wore for most of the marathon. He had a great time playing in the family room or watching movies outside the Best Buy room. He got quite a few cotton candies and had a blue face alot of time. His favorite part was "The jump house and the prize table. I got a pair of Pirate pajamas."




Rebecca was very happy the whole time. She didn't sleep as much as normal, but she was happy to watch what was going on. She really liked playing in the ball pools and seeing all the balloons in the family room. We took her into the main ballroom a few times and she would look at all the lights flashing. She never seemed overwhelmed by all that was going on.





Corrine's favorite parts were "the jump house, prize table, learning my dance and dancing on the stage, and I liked putting glitter in my hair." She was more independent this year, going to different activities by herself. Saturday afternoon she picked up a hola hoop and within a few tries she was hula hooping. Corrine was also a great Girl Scout cookie seller.



Simeon's favorite part was the Best Buy room. He got to play LOTS of video games. He learned cool tricks and secret places from the other kids playing Mario. He has made some friends at different events and he was quick to find them and go off and play with them.




Our morale group changed this year. We met up with our group who were wearing Team Simeon shirts!! The shirts fit Simeon's personality perfectly. We told them our story and why Dance Marathon is so important to us.


We really enjoy going to the events. It's nice to talk with other families who know what your feeling and talking about. I look forward to these events and the friends I get to see there.

For the 3rd year in a row over 1 Million Dollars was raised for kids with cancer!!! We love being part of Dance Marathon.

Rebecca at 7 months

Rebecca continues to be such a happy baby. She absolutely loves her siblings. One afternoon she fell over and started to cry. I picked her up and showed her the kids pictures and she stopped crying and started squealing. She is always so excited to see them.


This month we went to CA to visit family. She went right to everyone happily and enjoyed the trip, except sleeping at night. She woke up 6-9 times a night, but when we got back went right back to sleeping through the night.

Just recently she has started getting upset if she's in her carseat for a long time. As soon as she's out she's all smiles. She took a stroller ride without her carseat and was so excited. As soon as it warms up, she'll be so much happier to be in the stroller and not bundled in her carseat.

She loves to take a bath and cries when it's time to get out. Her favorite toy is a purple hippo and her 2nd a cup. She really likes it when Ammon or Corrine take a bath with her. When I stand her up to wash her body, she won't stand, she wants to get back down in the water. I started using a scrub brush on her head which has helped alot with the flakes we couldn't get rid of. She is also growing medium brown hair.


She is a talker. She can get really loud that we have to take her out of class at church. She makes lots of sounds. When she's upset and wants something she says "nana" in a whiney voice. She squeals alot, and laughs when you play peek-a-boo with her or tickle her.

Rebecca likes to sit and play with her toys. She likes to open and shut the door on her play house. She leans flat on her stomach to grab something. She is determined to get what she wants. She doesn't like to lay on her stomach for very long. She'll roll over onto her back and be happy playing there.

Rebecca has a strong sleeping schedule. She wakes up around 7:30, goes down for a nap at 9:00. Sleeps for 1-2 hours (depending on what we are doing that day), goes down at 12:45 for 1-2 hours, then takes a 30 minute nap at 5pm. She goes to sleep at 8:30pm and gets up 1 time to cuddle and sometimes eat.

She puts EVERYTHING in her mouth. She uses 2 fingers to pick things up. She will fist things, but then open her hand in her mouth. She is great at picking up food on her tray and eating it. If we leave a bowl of food on the tray, she'll grab it and put the spoon into her mouth. She's started eating pieces of food like green beans, strawberries and meatloaf. This month she started to drink from a sippy cup and really likes orange juice.

We are working on learning some signs: more, all gone, banana, mom and dad. She really understands them and opens her mouth when we sign "more".