Ceithlinn's School Program

Each year the music teacher, Mrs. Selle, puts together musical programs for the kids to participate in as a grade. This year the theme was outer space! All the 2nd grade learned some fun song about the solar system and planets. They started out singing, 'Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" softly. Then a voice over says something like Houston we need to launch. All the kids counted backwards from 10 and then sing a lively song called "Blast Off!" This was her favorite song.

Ceithlinn was also given a speaking part, which she always loves. I was really impressed at how fast she memorized her lines, too. She was assigned the part while she was out recovering from surgery so, only had a few days to get her lines down.

Her lines were, "Why do we study the planets? Why do you look to space?" Then another student says something like If we live on such a beautiful planet, why do we look to another place? Then other students gave quotes from famous people about discovery and exploring. Then Ceithlinn said, "We study space to make a better world." The other student says, "We want to know more." Then Ceithlinn, "We want to understand!" Sally Ride is quoted, "Reach for the stars!" Then everyone says, "REACH FOR THE STARS!" Then another song.

All in all the program was good. Ceithlinn really loved learning the song and the actions that when with them. She really does like performing and doesn't ever seem to get stage fright, which is good. I love that she is so confident and comfortable with herself. I hope that it continues as she gets older.

( Pictures below: Dressed up and ready to go and Doing the actions to one of the songs.)

Sweetest Husband... EVER!!

Yesterday was the 10th anniversary of our engagement. I mentioned this to Josh in the morning at breakfast time and wished him a happy anniversary. Well, last night when Josh got home from a LONG day at work (he was gone almost 12 hours) he had a surprise for me. He walked in the door with a dozen red roses, got down on one knee and asked if I would marry him. I responded the same way I did 10 years ago, "Of course!" Then added, "Only for the next 10 years, after that you better propose again." *wink, wink*

This time there were more tears...tears of gratitude and joy. While I was kissing Josh, Ceithlinn said, "Oh, how romantic," wistfully.

I love that we can show our kids this type of love. This is real love, not a fairy tale love or strange relationship love. THIS is true, deep, heart to heart, soul to soul, love you for you are and what you will become come, unifying love. This is one of the greatest gifts we will be able to give our children.

I am so very grateful for my sweetheart. He truly is the perfect match for me. He strengthens my weaknesses, supports me in everything I do and go through, he is me best friend and I can say I am I better person because he is in my life. I am a very blessed woman to have such a husband.

Here's to another 10 years... and another 10 after that... and another 10 after that... and another 10 after that... well, you get the picture, until forever and eternity.

Matthew and the Clogged Sink

If any of you are surprised by the title of this entry, you don't know our son. Matthew is very hands-on, active and curious. On March 15th I went into the small bathroom and saw that the sink wasn't draining. I figured it was due to the towels and wash cloth that were sopping wet and in the sink. I removed these and the sink still didn't drain. I called our almost 5-year old over and asked if he knew why the sink wouldn't drain. Our conversation went something like this...

"Matthew, do you know why the sink won't drain."
"Yes, I put a washcloth in it."
"You put a washcloth in it. I removed those." I am a little confused.
"No, I put a wash cloth IN the sink," getting a little frustrated that I am yet again not understanding what he is very plainly saying.


"You mean you put a wash cloth down the drain?!" My heart is starting to speed up slightly as I try to figure out how on earth he got a wash cloth into the drain. 
Matthew at this point smiles and says,"Uh-huh! I put it in the drain." He is so very proud of himself.


So, I look down the drain and see that there is something white in there, but it doesn't look like a washcloth. It is too far down to reach from above the cupboard. So, I clear out the cupboard and get what I need to clear out the P-trap. I had to get a long wooden spoon to push the unknown white thing down the drain so I am able to reach it with my fingers on the under side. This is when I wished for those extra two inches. I was able to do, but the contortionist had to come out.


The white thing, now identified as a flushable wipe is out and so is all the water that was in the sink. I had a bowl,  but it wasn't quite large enough. Water spilled all over the inside of the cupboard and I knew that if I attempted to lift said overflowing bowl the mess would get worse. So, using my noggin I grabbed our handy turkey baster and sucked the water level down.


I was just about to put the P-trap back on when the phone rang and the kids answered. The conversation I was overhearing didn't quite make sense so, I hurried into the living room. My sister, Melanie was on the phone. We spoke for a little while and had a good laugh about the clogged incident. 


Josh got home from work shortly after the phone call. He asked if he would please pick up some pizza for dinner as hadn't had time to make anything. I then mentioned how I needed to go and put the bathroom back together. Matthew proudly announced, "I already did!" I thanked him ever so kindly and gave him a hug. I will be honest, I didn't look in the bathroom before doing this because I wanted him to feel appreciated and validated in that moment. Matthew just beamed and said, "You're welcome!" (He really is the best at beaming. His whole face radiates, just wonderful).

Josh and the kids left to get the pizza, and I took a deep breath before entering the bathroom as I wondered what Matthew did to "put the bathroom back together." What I saw melted my heart. The P-trap was back on. There was a little blue plastic hammer in front of the sink. I could only guess he was using his tools to put the P-trap back on. I found out later that he "just used his hands." He did a pretty good job of it. The P-trap was straight and almost completely tightened. Can you say, "Aaawww!"? So very sweet. 


It is nice that Matthew is getting big enough to clean up his own adventures. :) The other up is that I was planning on cleaning that cabinet and sink out anyway. He was helping me complete my to-do list without even knowing.

Tonsillectomy for Ceithlinn

Ceithlinn has had very generous sized healthy tonsils for a couple of years that we have monitoring. We hoped that she would grow into them so no surgery would be needed. Then in February she started snoring, not waking rested, and coughed for the first hour she was in bed. So, we took her in and discovered that her tonsils were almost touching her uvula. Surgery was scheduled for March 8th, much her her chagrin.

The day that surgery was scheduled lab work was requested. Ceithlinn really, really, really HATES shots (much like I did at her age... for those that may remember this usually included crying and/or screaming if I even thought there might be a shot... Mother's curses are real). I knew drawing blood would be a bit of a production. She started out brave and logical, and the the needle came out. It took about 15 minutes, Mom and 2 phlebotomists to get the blood that was needed. Afterwards she was able to return to school and show her battle wound so, it was worth it.

I forgot to bring my camera to Mary Bridge Hospital the day of the surgery. Kind of bummed about that because she really did look cute in that little hospital gown. (Note: pictures would have been taken pre-operation) Ceithlinn really was brave while the nurses asked questions and took vitals and did everything to prepare for surgery. At one point she did start to really cry. So, I held her and rocked her and reminded her that their were angels to watch over her, Heavenly Father and Jesus loved her, we loved her and I would be right there when she woke up.... we say something similar each night before the kids go to sleep. They call it "angels."... That seemed to help a little, but what really helped was the new black stuffed puppy that was given to her. She named it Pizza Planet, after our dead Black Moor fish.

Surgery went well. Recover at first was a bit rough. She got a little sick from the medicine and blood. I felt so helpless as she cried and was sick. I just held the spit bowl in one hand and her hair back with the other. (I know that's gross, but it's what happened). Within an hour she was doing better. She absolutely refused to sleep. She said she didn't want to miss anything. (We had the same issue when she was a baby, too.) She asked the nurses questions and enjoyed the Popsicles.
She was really excited to be able to ride in the wheelchair when it was time to go home. She had a smile on her face.

Once home we kept her pretty well pain drugged alternating Tylenol and Motrin with Codeine at night. The first three days were pretty rough, we spent lots of time reading, cuddling and watching movies.  After the three day things got better as far as pain and her desire to be sitting up and doing.

Ceithlinn was given some daffodils from Sister Shari Duffin in the ward. This past August we were able to go to her flower garden and pick flowers to arrange. Shari remembered that Ceithlinn liked flowers and brought some over. This made Ceithlinn feel so special. The bright yellow was a nice touch of sunshine for the house, too.

When all was said and done Ceithlinn missed about a week and a half of school. She is doing great, though. No more snoring, coughing and waking up very tired.

Time to Catch Up

So much has happened in the last month. I am going to attempt to catch up. Below are the topics I am hoping to cover with dates... that's for my benefit.
     Mar. 8, 2010 -- Ceithlinn's Tonsillectomy
     Mar. 25, 2010 -- Ceithlinn's School Program -- she had a speaking part
     Mar. 26, 2010 -- Matthew's 5th B-day (actually celebrated on Mar.29th)
     Mar. 27- Apr. 12, 2010 -- Melanie and Aaron visit (this will be done by day)
     Apr. 16, 2010 -- Family Camp Out
     Apr. 20, 2010 -- Ceithlinn's Field Trip to PDZA (Matthew & I chaperoned)
     Apr. 21, 2010 -- Jog-a-thon
     Apr. 22, 2010 -- Trip to Canada
     May 8, 2010 -- Henry David King's birth
     May 14, 2010 -- 80s dance at BLE
     May 16, 2010 -- Ceithlinn loses 3rd tooth

And, more Ceithlinn and Matthew-isms. They are so wonderful!

Wow, that's a lot! I keep meaning to catch up on Sundays, but don't. Maybe this will be motivating to get that done, especially since I will be starting college in June and will have even less time to update the blog. Hey, I know! Less time on Facebook... now that's a novel concept.

Hope you all look forward to the blog. I will be better. If you see me on Facebook, ask if my blog is up to date. Honestly, I think this is more important.