Halloween Decor

We attempted Grandma & Grandpa Walker's ghost circle. This is how it turned out. Not as good as Grandma's, but Kynadi likes it so I guess it will do.

First day of Preschool

Kynadi started preschool on Sept. 9th. I'm just slow at posting.

She was really excited to go, but I could tell when we actually got there she was nervous and she didn't want to go in without me. It didn't take long to settle down though.

She goes to a preschool at a lady's house. "Ms. Kari" as she is called, is in my parent's ward and was the singing leader while Kynadi was in nursery. Kynadi LOVED her. So when I learned she was teaching a preschool I figured I'd better sign Kynadi up.

Here's some pics of her first day.

After her first day, she wouldn't tell me what they learned but she sure wanted to go back. She got mad when I told her she gets to go twice a week, she said, "no five times!" As I was trying to pry out of her what they did, I asked if she got to go outside and play. She got upset and told me they got to go outside, but, "I had to learn, she wouldn't let me play" then a cry. Silly. She was a bit tired when I asked her, but I tried to explain preschool was for learning. Regardless she loves it now and looks forward to going.

Our little "Crack Head"

Well our trip to SLC didn't end on the most pleasant note. We had planned on leaving Saturday night, and at around 9:00 that night we had been loading up the car. Well Andrew came over to show Kynadi his dog. BLASTED DOG! When he got there everyone went outside to see the dog. Grandpa Texas picked up Brooklyn so she could go see the dog too. I was just behind them and as they went outside and off the porch, Grandpa Texas missed his step or something and Brooklyn and Grandpa took a bad fall. I saw and heard Brooklyn's little head hit the pavement, she bounced and hit it again. I felt frozen. I hate rememebering it all even as I write. John quickly rushed and picked Brooklyn up. She was screaming at the top of her lungs. I paniced and ran over as well. John said I asked for Brooklyn, but I knew I didn't want her, because I knew if she passed out and I was holding her I would completely lose it. I went over to my father-in-law and asked if he was ok, but quickly went back to John and Brooklyn. It's all kind of a blurr. I feel bad for leaving Grandpa Texas just laying there too, it probably didn't feel too good for him either. I'm grateful someone went to him, since I was worried about my little baby.

So John was holding Brooklyn and took her inside. At this point Kynadi had come over and was crying and no cooperating as well. I think she was just afraid since she knew Brooklyn was hurt, and she could tell John and I were both worried. She was acting out since she didn't know what else to do.

Anyway, at some point inside I finally got to hold Brooklyn. She was still screaming. It was almost worse to hold her because I could tell something was wrong. She wouldn't stop crying, but she couldn't hold herself up either. So I told John to give her a blessing and then we would take her to Primary Childrens. So after what seemed like forever...I felt like everyone was just taking their time to find the oil and give her the blessing, but it finally happened. Then John and I got in the car with Brooklyn and headed off. Kynadi stayed with Barbara, thankfully! I sat in the back holding Brooklyn trying to keep her awake. Neither of us were buckled up and John was not driving too slowly. The ride was scary in itself. Brooklyn kept wanting to fall asleep but I thought if you had a conconsion you shouldn't go to sleep. Anyway, I lost it in the car, I was so worried.

We finally made it to Primary Children's though and John dropped us off at the door. There was some relief just being in the hospital. But as I stood in line to talk to the receptionist in the ER Brooklyn started puking everywhere. This put me in more of a panic. The gentlemen in front of me stepped aside and let me go next. I almost burst into tears I was so afraid for Brooklyn. Anyway, the receptionist thought she had the flu and asked if she was just sick. When I explained about her hitting her head they got us right back. At this point John had joined us. We talked to a nurse right away and that helped calm me down. They said to let her sleep, so I finally just held her and let her rest on me. They also gave Brooklyn some PJ's and me a shirt to get out of our thrown-up ones. This was a perk...I now have a shirt to match my pajama pants.

Anyway, we talked with a couple nurses. Each wanting us to explain exactly what happend. This continued during our stay...we assumed they wanted to make sure no abuse had gone on. After talking with the nurses we waited in the waiting room to see a doc. We waited about 15 min and then they took us back. The doc asked us again what had happened and what kind of symptoms we were seeing. Since Brooklyn is so little she said it would probably be best to get a CT scan since we didn't know if she was dizzy or could speak well, ect. This made me feel good, just to be sure of what was going on. Well, since I am pregnant I couldn't go in with her for the CT scan. This was probably better. John went in and I stayed outside the door and listened to her cry. Not so fun. To make this long story a little shorter, they discovered from the scan she had fractured her skull. It was fractured on the back of her head, and the doc said that that part of your skull is the hardest part and to fracture it meant she must have hit hard. She said she obviously had a concusion but no bleeding or anything inside the brain so that was good. They said the first 24 hours were critical though and so they wanted to keep her there that night just to watch.

It was a long night. She HATED being hooked up to the monitors. She was tired, hurting, and I'm sure the last thing she wanted was things being hooked to her to make it more uncomfortable. No one slept too well that night. It seemed like everytime I had just gotten her to go to sleep a nurse came in to check her vitals and wake her up to see her response. Poor thing, just wanted to be held, so most of the night was spend holding her in the black chair in the corner (shown in the picture with John).

By mid-morning Sunday though, she seemed to be doing much better. She had terrible balance, but she wanted to play a bit. By that afternoon, she was ready to go I think. We found some toys to play with in the lobby area of the RTU and she like that. When I took her to the room she was cute and would wave bye-bye wanting to leave.

Well, that afternoon the docs said she was looking good so they released her. She was definately not completely herself, but who could blame her.

We headed back to WY that evening and she seemed to do fine. Monday morning she threw up again which worried me, but after talking to the nurses I settled down. If she threw up again then I had need to worry. Her balance Monday was AWEFUL at best. She wanted to walk but could hardly do it. She would get frustrated and just hold her arms out to me to be held. Anytime she tried walking I had to follow right behind her to catch her. The last thing I needed was for her to fall and hit her head again.

So it's been over a week now and she has finally gotten her balance back and is her fiery, funny little self. Although I must say, this week in sacrament is the first week I have stayed in the sacrament room the entire hour...so the crack has helped somehow :)

Needless to say I'm grateful she is doing well. The doc said I'll have to watch for future developement to make sure she is on track, just to be sure it heals right, but so far so good. I feel very blessed that nothing more serious happened and that all went well. I love my little Brooklyn and I'm sooo glad she's well.

The pics show the room we stayed in and our new attire after the throw up. The cage is the crib they have for her to sleep in. As you can see she didn't like that too much.

Trip to the Zoo

Sarah, John's niece, was getting baptized the first of the month, so Grandma and Grandpa Texas came to town (SLC that is). So we took a trip to Utah to see them and be at Sarah's baptism. We went down late on a Wednesday and stayed, unexpectedly, till Sunday (see above post for explanation). Anyway, while we were there we took the girls with Grandma and Grandpa Texas to the zoo. It was a perfect day, not too hot, not too cold. I don't think Brooklyn knew too much about what was going on, but Kynadi had fun. It was the first time she'd been since she was really little. So this was the first time she understood what the zoo was. In fact at dinner tonight she said something about it and said, "yeah like at the 'z'-'o'-'0' "and spelled zoo out. I couldn't believe it. I don't remember that being part of what we told her. I asked where she learned to spell zoo and she just said, "well I guess you just taught me or something". Anyway, a bit off topic, but here are some pics of our time at Hogle Zoo.

Thank you John for making sure I got a picture with the Rino's BUTT

My little helpers

Kynadi loves to use the wipes to "clean" anything she can think of. This particular day she is washing the floor. Brooklyn picks up quickly and helped as well. I'm hoping this practice will stick!

Favorite Place

Brooklyn will often get into the cupboards and throw things out, then one day she discovered she fit into the spot where the items used to be. She then turned Kynadi onto the "game". This has since been one of their favorite places to be. They get in the cupboards (so far just bathroom) and hide and laugh together. It's entertaining for all of us.

BINGO

Alright so this is a quick post on John and I's mad bingo skills. So if anyone remembers awhile back I posted about John and I going out and playing Bingo at Lucky Bucks. Well, I said I could get addicted and living in a small town has not helped. John convinced me (it didn't take much) to go again. Only this time we won, err John won; TWICE. He won a total of $125.00. Here are the pictures of his winning cards. Worth a post I thought.

We were so excited we went a third time a few weeks later. Needless to say we came home with NOTHING, need I repeat NOTHING. We haven't been back since :) I guess it wasn't much of a winning streak.

The funny thing is Kynadi thinks the dobbers(anyone familiar with bingo will understand) are her stamps, and asked why we have taken them with us when we have gone out. I explained a bit about bingo and now she wants to play. :)

All about me

I am: Tired, but grateful that Kynadi and Brooklyn are both sleeping, my dishes are done, laundry is going, John is at work, it’s 8:00pm and I have a quiet evening alone. AHH…it never happens.

I think: all the time. I can’t even start with what may enter my mind in a day.

I know: More than John,basically :). Wives are supposed to know more than their husbands right?!

I want: a house, although complaining about not having one makes me feel ungrateful for what I do have, when I have been given so much more than many.

I have: A wonderful family, sparkling personality(just sounded right), and too much DEBT.

I dislike: People who can’t be happy for others successes and that Brooklyn just started crying…there goes my quiet evening.

I miss: times of the past…living on Denton St., good times in the BYU computer labs, Applewood girls, BYU sporting events, intramurals, off-roading in High School, hanging out with old friends…lots to miss in the past, not that I would go back necessarily, but definitely times to remember. I also miss not being in-shape.

I fear: Losing family members, and being a victim of violent crime or a member of my family

I feel: Scared thinking of all the things that could happen after answering the last question about what I fear. But I feel grateful that I have such a good family and had such a blessed life.

I hear: The washer and dryer. A minute ago I also heard Brooklyn in bed gurgling...so cute.

I smell: The candle on the warmer I got from Cindie Jarvie. It is the best thing! It almost covers the smell of the smoke from the neighbors.

I crave: Food of all kinds. Mostly chocolate. I’ve sent John to the store a few times for some late night candy bars. Although lately I’ve been into chocolate milk…that’s sounding quite good actually. Note: I AM pregnant.

I cry: when my feelings are hurt. Refer to the note above—this is happening more than usual. I have also found myself crying reading others blogs/websites and learning of the tragedies and trials others have had to endure.

I usually: go to bed watching the TV via the internet since we don’t have cable. I'm curently watching The West Wing series

I search: the internet looking for good vinyl ideas and other “crafty crap” as John would say

I wonder: how my children will turn out, and if I am doing enough for them.

I regret: very few things, but one thing I do regret is not appreciating times in my life as they were happening. OH but my biggest regret is letting John convince me to buy a Time share...anyone need one, I'll give you a great deal!

I wish: the world were not such a scary place to live and there was not so much sorrow.

I love: hearing my two little girls play together and giggle at each other. Also, I love my family, even if they are all a bit twisted :).

I care: about others.

I always: tap my toothbrush on the sink after getting it wet. Weird habit.

I worry: about EVERYTHING. Ask anyone that knows me. I am the biggest worrier on the planet. I am currently worried that Brooklyn will fall, being the monkey she is, and do more damage to her little cracked head, that Kynadi is not getting enough time/attention with me, giving birth in the Rock Springs hospital again, that John will never become an ASM and then what?, and the list goes on, but I’ll stop.

I am not: a member of the NRA. (I don’t know)

I remember: only major events in my own life. I forget a lot and details do not stay with me for long. I have been accused of having my mother’s memory…and look what a good woman she is, so I won’t complain, or at least I’ll try not to.

I believe: ...recite the 13 Articles of Faith.

I sing: to Brooklyn each night with Kynadi usually accompanying me.

I don't always: fix dinner. It’s not so much that I don’t like cooking, as much as I don’t know what to cook. Sorry John.

I argue: with John about who will give our little baby boy the most athletic skills. Isn’t it obvious.

I write: very little down, which is why this blog is so good for history’s sake.

I win: at few things. I have the worst luck.

I lose: my patience too often.

I listen: to the neighbors thru my windows. This is my entertainment usually. There is a couple behind me that should not even be married…they have shouting matches I hear all the time.

I don't understand: Asians.

I can usually be found: in my parents basement cutting vinyl…at least these days that’s where it seems I spend all my time.

I need: a Tums, the heartburn is getting worse as the pregnancy continues.

I forget: my phone number is listed to sell Brynn and Scott’s laptop since NO ONE wants their crappy computer!

I am happy: when my children are happy, my house is cleaned and it feels peaceful in my home…it doesn’t hurt if birds are chirping in the trees either.

I tag: My mom, and grandmas, since it would be fun to hear their responses. I’m hoping someday my kids will like to read what I wrote.