Happy Birthday AJ!

Our boy turned 2! It is hard to believe we have been parents for two years. The joy AJ and Griffin bring to our lives is unbelievable! I can't envision our lives without them! AJ LOVES balls, any kind of balls. So we decided to do a ball theme for his birthday. It was on a Sunday so he brought "baseball" cupcakes to nursery. That evening we had a little birthday bash and he received a basketball stand, a ball table with matching ball stools, a bathtub basketball hoop with balls, a chuck car station and cars along with a whole backpack full of balls! He was in heaven! After a while I think he was in party overload because he took his cars and went back behind the bar and played on the floor all by himself. He was one happy birthday boy!

Back to back problems!

I had a great time learning and helping out on doing my home makeover, but I guess I did a little too much. On the morning of the 24th when I went to get out of bed I couldn't without A LOT of pain! My epidural had worn off. I went to bed feeling pretty good and by the next morning my back was in so much pain I cried when I got out of bed. It was pretty bad. I didn't help much the next day, I could barely lift Griffin up to feed him. Kurt was out of town at the time so at night I was on my own. Before Kurt left he and I had moved Griffin from his crib to the bassinet because we could prop it up higher and it was easier for me to reach Griffin.

On Thursday night I was sleeping when I heard a crash and then heard Griffin crying. I knew immediately that what we had propped Griffin on must have moved and the bassinet must have fallen over and he had fallen out. My first thought was to get to Griffin, but when I went to stand up I immediately fell to the ground. The back pain was just to much to handle. All I can say is my motherly instinct took over and I knew I had to get to my baby! I crawled on my hands and knees down to his room and found him and loved him, I could not stand up to turn on the light so I felt around and could not feel any blood. I calmed him down and had barely enough strength to lift him into his car seat that happened to be in his room at the time. I knew I needed help. I crawled back to our bedroom and it took me a couple of times to pull the phone down to the floor where I could reach it. When I finally got the phone I called my mom. It was about 5:00AM by this time. My mom said she would be right over. (My Dad was also out of town.) Being at home alone I had locked all of the doors except the one from the garage to the house. I gave my mom the garage code and sat there and prayed Griffin would be alright. Being so early in the morning, my mom could not see the key pad to put in the right code, but then she used her phone as a flashlight and was able to come in, she came to check on me and I told her I was fine, but to check on Griffin. She went in and picked him up and brought him to me. He was fine. I was thankful! For those of you who don't know my mom has had back problems and uses a cane to get around so coming over to help me was not easy for her! THANKS MOM! Mom stayed with me until I could get up and walk around. The next night I had my niece stay overnight with me, but all was well. Then Kurt was home, I was SOOO happy to see him! Next step, call to see when I can have another epidural. UGH!

Home Makever

I have many talents, but knowing how to decorate a home is not one of them. Kim and Sallie came to my rescue! They helped me hang-up pictures, refinish furniture, add rugs and cute accessories. Our house now looks more like a home! I LOVE IT! We re finished a couch table, a bench and our dining room table! THANK YOU Kim & Sal! I love our new look!

Peek-a-boo

AJ hiding his eyes for peek-a-boo, he still thinks this is a GREAT game!

On Hold

As a matter of protocol, when Griffin was born the adoption agency applied for medicaid for him. We have received several letters asking for various tidbits of information from us. I called the Department of Workforce Services once and explained we would NEVER use this because he had double insurance coverage through mine and my husband's work. Well, we are still receiving letters requesting information. I decided to call again to explain our situation. I listened and went through the different automated options and finally reached the business department. I was told to please hold and the call would be answered in the order it was received. After about 2 minutes on hold a computer voice came on and said, Your call will be answered in the order it was received. Your expected wait time is less than 1 hour and 14 minutes, you are caller number 32. ONE HOUR AND 14 MINUTES? I hung up and giggled. I thought that was hilarious!

A first in 25 years!

I ate a meat pie today. This may not sound like any big revelation, but I have not eaten a meat pie for 25 years. Well, that is a bit of an exaggeration, if I MADE it at home, I ate it and I have stolen a taste or two from Kurt in the past few years, but I have NOT opened up, cooked and eaten a meat pie by myself for 25 years. Let me explain... When I was a junior in high school in Drama class we watched a video of the Broadway production of Sweeney Todd. That did it for me, I have not been able to eat a meat pie since! I loved the production, I can still sing a few lines, but boy oh boy did the storyline ever give me the heebee jeebeeies!

Prison-Temple Expereince

I am posting this mainly for me, I wanted to get it down so I would remember it. Yesterday we had a superb 5th Sunday lesson. It was one of those times I was truly thankful I was in attendance. The meeting was on facing adversity with a positive attitude. It opened by a soloist singing I Believe in Christ (one of my favorite's) and then we watched a video entitled, "My New Life" from the church website about Stephanie Nielson, a woman who almost died in a plane crash. She is alive, but her body was severely burned in the crash. One of her statements in the clip says, "I am Stephanie Nielson and I am not my body." I had read her blog before nieniedialogues.com she is a remarkably honest woman you writes about her journey.

After watching this video a woman in our ward spoke. She explained her background. She said on May 1, 2008 she was making pancakes in her home. Her oldest daughter was at school and her 2 1/2 year old daughter and 6 month old daughter were playing around the kitchen when her doorbell rang. She said as she opened her door she saw something NO military wife EVER wants to see, 6 men standing there in full dress uniforms. She was told her husband was killed in a training exercise that morning (by now tears are flowing down my face). She went on to say how she knows she is is being carried because she could not go through this alone. She gave several examples of how she has been blessed by this tragedy.

The bishopric member then got up and talked about points from Elder Holland's talk, "Lessons from Liberty Jail" (Ensign 2009) I would highly suggest you look it up and read it. It is amazing! It talks about how Joseph's time in the Liberty Jail was one of the most trying times in church history, but how it was also a time when Joseph was ever so close to God. (The Liberty Jail has significant meaning to me because of my mission. Me and some other sisters (companions) were able to sleep overnight in the jail, reading the scriptures while in Liberty Jail is an experience I will always hold dear.)

This lesson made me put things a little more into perspective with the pain and frustration I have been experiencing because of my back. I am so thankful I have a testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel.