Adelle's boutique

I wanted to put in a quick plug. My sister-in-law makes some way cute hair pretties is what they are called at our house. Most people call them clippies and bows. You can check her out at adellesboutique.blogspot.com. They are way cute. And my sister-in-law, Emily Jean, is very meticulous, creative, dependable, and honest. You can't go wrong with these. And my girls LOVE her hair bows. Now if I could just get Kaylyn to leave it in her hair. One day soon enough, right.

"Love too, momma."

So just a quick one. Kaylyn and I had a busy morning. We went over to Jason Lee and talked with the review board about the ECAP program. Kudos to ECAP by the way. If you can get your child in the preschool program, do!! It was only an hour. I talked; Kaylyn got to play with the Jason kids in the preschool. She did awesome. But she was sleepy when we got home. So we cuddled in my rocking chair--which I finally brought back home after loaning it to my mom for a year. She has been trying to get it back to my house for 4 months now ... Anyway, we were cuddling. I told her "I love you." And she said "love too, momma." YEAH!! I love it!! And I love her.

I then had to text Todd and tell him about it. I thought it was cute. A few months ago he did up this comic strip for me. You might have to click on it to get it bigger to read it, but it's worth it.

November wrap

So November has been a crazy month for me. In October I received my RNA or registared nurses assistant certification. The end of August I started working with a family who has two disabled children. One has a feeding tube, so I have been certified and trained to be able to feed him. I enjoy my work there. I never sought a career as a caregiver, in fact, I was kind of pushed into it. Isn't that the way with a lot people. But I am enjoying it. I find my work relaxing and rewarding which has enabled me to do more than I thought I could do.
Halloween week was an eventful week for my adopted family. My client was in and out of the hospital as things just got worse for him. I don't want to say anything that would violate privacy contracts here, but it was a scary couple of days for all of us. He is doing much better now. But in the mess of all that was going on, we had a caregiver quit. There are four of us that work with these two children. As a result, I have been able to pick up a lot of hours. Most of them are temporary. Although I think we will see my hours go up in the long run. It's hard to say just yet as we are working through the headache of getting a new schedule made.
Todd has had to take up a lot of the slack. He comes home early to watch the kids. He has even watched my daycare kids for short periods of time. He has helped keep up on the house. And he has been amazing. My mom has also helped to watch the kids when she can, so Todd can study, and I can work.
The week of Thanksgiving, the Tri-Cities was covered in snow--right as I tried to fight off a cold. Todd picked up the slack, and he allowed me to sleep. He also ran the paperroute on the not ideal roads. He has more experience driving in the snow than I do. He has been amazing. And I appreciate him. The extra hours are huge blessing. We have a lot of work we need to do on our cars--and so any extra will go into them. We have some repairs and a lot maintance work to do.
We have also realized that the last time we spent Christmas with Todd's family, I was pregnant with Karla. So it's been a while. We feel it is important to spend this Christmas with the Nef's. It's one prompting we are very excited to follow!! And we have seen the Lord's hand in making this trip possible. My co-workers have moved most of my hours to before the trip, so I am not losing much by going there. We have found a subsitute for the paper route that is excited about making the money--he may not be excited about doing papers again. We feel very blessed.
The other news for November was parent teacher confrences. Karla is hitting exceeds expectations in reading, writing, and math. Most of this is because of preschool. She is also good at following directions, working in a group, and the other social parts of kindergarten. She needs to work on being responcible for her backpack, her homework, and her coat. We are working on this at home as well. Kylee is doing very well in preschool too. She gets along with her classmates better than expected. We have set some goals to help her vocalize her needs to someone who can help. We are also working on letter recognition and realizing that 4 correlates to . . . . 4 of something. I am excited for both girls. They have been asking to go back to school with this long vacation.
We love you all and wish you fun, family, and safety this holiday season.

Look what I found.

So we have not had our camera for three weeks. So we just took pictures. Take one of me mommy. Here are my hams.

When money was really tight last time, before I got a wonderful digital camera, I would take pictures knowing I couldn't come back and take them. And I collected the film and knew one day, I would develop it. So I took in box of film and just got the CD's. I was surprised at what I got. Maybe next time I will put on some of the more obscure pictures. These are my favorite finds. But I can't help but to compare them to the pictures I took yesterday.

Karla and Kylee and Daddy at Grandma's house.

I love my sister. They are so cute!! Now, when we go to pick up Sister at school. They run and give each other a hug. I love it!! Sisters are the best. (I have been thinking I need to get that on film, but I didn't have my camera.)

Before we got a slip n slide.

Cyntha with new baby Ben.

Ben with Grandma Julie on his blessing day. Can you tell she is the proud Grandma.

Karla being my big helper. Her hair isn't falling out yet, so I love this shot.

Karla and Uncle Garth at the free movie.

Kylee and Uncle Garth

Kylee dressing up as a movie star, at her potty party.

Karla in her balloon jungle, at her potty party.

Karla and Kylee at McDonalds. During the winter time, in the motorhome, to keep our sanity--we went to McDonalds so the kids could just run and not get into trouble. This was our favorite play place because it had a ramp. The stairs in other play places was a bit much for them.

Brenda our friend with Karla. Brenda loves babies. And we love Brenda.

Kylee's 2nd birthday--they both got sunglass, which they still have not broken.

Kylee's potty party. This is our balloon pit.

Karla and Kylee with dad--probably about 2 and 3 years old.

The brady's on Ben's blessing day.

Collage days musings.

So life has gotten really busy. We had some things happen at work, and I have picked up lots of extra hours through the holiday season. It's suppose to settle down come January, but you never know what will happen. Todd has been a real trooper and has really helped out at home. I am so grateful for him and so proud of him.
I lent my camera to Mom for her vacation, and Mom, Cyntha, and Dot have all decided they want one just like it. I should get it back this week. But I have no pictures to post. So I thought I'd post a poem I wrote. These are all old poems. But I haven't shared them with most of you. I love the quote from the Dead Poets Society "We don't read and write poetry because it's cute. We read and write poetry because we are members of the human race. . . . And the human race is filled with passion. . . . Poetry, beauty, romance, love: these are what we stay alive for."

Potty Training

Someday I'll be big--

Mommy said so.

Then I can do things big kids do:

cross the street

go to school

stay up past 8 'o'clock

and go to the bathroom all by

myself.

Who wants to sit and wait

till Mommy remembers

I need help.

May 1999

This poem was an assignment to write a poem off a picture. I ended up with a cute picture of a little kid sitting on the potty--looking out the door. But I think the poem stands on it's own. I still see that picture when I read it. Although I now see two little toe heads too.

Excuses

I sit by the window.

You said 3:00;

I was here at 2:30.

Packed last night

It took no time at all.

My plans were cancelled,

I dropped everything,

Told everybody

"My Daddy is coming."

As the clock ticks

3:00, 3:30, 4:00 . . .

I am still waiting. . . .

May 1999

Behind Glass

Smooth glass and tired hands touch again

as I kiss your picture before bed.

That is all I have left now--

A couple of old letters, your picture

and the memories that haunt my dreams:

Batting movie quotes

and pick up lines

back and forth.

Your laugh echoing . . .

As you tell your stories something in your eyes dance

Reminding me of flames on a black night.

And for a moment, like puzzle pieces

I seem to fit in your arms.

Until my roommate calls

"What's taking you guys so long?"

And I wake--

Touch my lips and the glass

And go on without you.

Feb 2002

This last one is one of my favorites. Probably because I sat down to write. I didn't know what to write, just that I had to--and this is what happened. In looking at it after the fact, I realized that I felt this way in one of my relationships at the time--long ago, in a far away place. I love it when I discover in the process of writing. My best writing comes that way I think. And so I still have a special place for this one.

Wet Shoes

Cold, bare, and exposed

my shoes lie wet on the floor--

exposed to the frost filled wind

streaking through the open door.

Tossed there and forgotten

as I strip my wet clothes for

dry, fuzzy sweats

and slippers given me last Christmas.

Knotted and mangled

from the days adventures;

I toss them outside

and shut the door.

September 2002

Well Kaylyn has just gone down for a nap. And I have two hours before Family Home Evening. I'm going to attempt a 15 minute pick up in the living room--while Kaylyn is not undoing my work. Then I'm going to catch a quick nap. And then I think I will finally get dressed for the day! I still dress up to look good for a guy.

President Monson encourages us to be Grateful

During general conference President Monson, the Lord's prophet, advised us to be more grateful. I need to be more grateful. In the past, I learned the power of counting your blessing. We were living in Todd's grandparents motorhome. Unforantly we displaced a ton of mice. And they weren't sure they wanted to be displaced. Todd would clean out the traps before work and then come home and clean them all out again. He sometimes would clean them out a third time before bed. I would hear them in the thin walls, right next to me, and my skin would just crawl. At that time, we had a leak that we couldn't fix, so instead of cause damage to Grandpa's motorhome, we turned off the water. I would haul water from the outside spiket into the motorhome. I would then heat my water to wash dishes. It would take me two hours to do my dishes this way. One day, I found a dead mouse in my drying dishes. I screamed! That month we paid off $1,324 in debt. I counted each dollar every time I heard a mouse. And I survived.
I remember when we moved into this trailer we were so excited to simply have running water. I was able to shower everyday. My girls washed their hands so many times through out a day. I think they were even impressed with the running water.
When we first moved into our trailer it felt huge compared to the motorhome--even with the attached garage. But as Kaylyn has been born and my children get bigger, our house feels smaller and smaller. I was very frusterated that we couldn't find something bigger in our price range. And then I was reminded of how grateful I was just to have running water when we moved in. It hasn't felt quite as small since.
But I needed to be reminded of it again. I felt over worked, tired, and justifibly grouchy. I have worked to remember my many blessings, and I don't feel justified anymore. And half the time, I don't even feel overworked. I'm working to make my attitude better all of the time, but be patient with me.
I know a one time list is not a long term solution, but I think it is a good start. I also thought it would be fun to share with you.

1 Todd. I could probably make a thankful list just about him. I will mention a few: 2. he is tender and 3. gentle. 4. He is patient with me. 5. He has taught me so much about forgiving and forgetting. 6. He has also taught me a lot about repenting and 7. leaving my burdens at my Saviors feet. 8. His faith is rock solid and something he is more than something he does. He doesn't worry about death because heaven is real, right? 9. He stablizes me while letting me fly, and 10. when I faulter he reminds me why I want to keep flying. 11. And he loves me more unconditionally than I ever thought possible.
12. Karla
13. Kylee
14. Kaylyn
15. My mother
16. Garth Mann
17. Cyntha and her family
18. Dot and Jonathan
19-50. The whole Nef family!! I really could name them all. There isn't one I would leave off the list. When I married Todd, I felt that one of the gifts he gave me as a wedding gift was his family. It's a natural thing, and I don't think inheriting all in-laws are a gift. But the Nefs were to me. I love them all just as much as I do my own.
51. Our home. We have access to a huge yard. And we love to be outdoors. And 52. the price is just what we can pay. If we moved out we would double what our home costs us. We have been so blessed to have such amazing landlords. They haven't even raised the rent.
53. Our ward is amazing. We have many friends here.
54. Todd loves his boys and enjoys his calling. He says that because he lives in a house full of girls, he has to get his boys night out.
55. I love my call as a RS teacher. I even get to teach my favorite lesson. And I'm better for it too.
56. My camera. I love my camera. My mommy helped me get the right one for me. And I love that I can take as many pictures of my family as I want. And it doesn't cost me a thing.
57. Our budget. We have seen so many miracles in trying to pay our bills. The Lord is really watching out for us.
58. Todd's scholorships and grants so that he can go to school.
59. My job with Johnny. Where else could I get paid to play with such a special spirit?
60. Showers.
61. Candles
62. Good music
63. Books on tapes.
64. That I'm losing weight
65. My computer
66-67. Blogger and facebook--I love the journaling, and I love keeping in touch.
68. cell phones
69. text messages
70-71. Bobbiejo and our 4 am conversations
72. My many other friends who have made such a difference in my life. I could make a whole list here too!! Amber, Anna, Kirsten, Wendy, Cindy, Tiffany, Nick, Zina, Henry, Ila and on and on. Please don't feel left out--this is a very short list here.
73. icecream
74. chocolate
75. my health
76. modern medicine
77. Being able to dance
78-80. my cars
81. stars
82. Moutains
83. Trees
(81-83. all these things calm me and make me feel closer to God.)
84. sunsets and sunrises
85. Libraries
86. Books on CD
87. playing games with loved ones.
88. The freedoms we have in our country
89. Those who fight to keep it that way
90. And that it isn't my husband or me. I hope this doesn't make me caddy, but I really am grateful it isn't us out there.
91. butterflys
92. The Peacegiver Changed my life--if you haven't read it, do!!
93. that the scriptures are printed and I'm able to have several sets in my home.
94. The many men who have stepped in as Daddy for me and my siblings
95. The many programs and those behind them that help my brother
96. Beautiful art work
97. When my children achieve something new
98. Good movies
99. My testimony. I've worked hard for it. And it has gotten me through rough patches. I would not trade my hardships for the testimony I have gained especially
100. The relationship I have with my Savior and Father in Heaven. I am nothing without Them. I know that my Savior suffered in Gesthemane and died on the cross--so he could lift my burdens and make me whole. This I treasure above all else.

This is not a conclusive list, but a good start right. There is one simlar at graciousrain.com. You might have to do some digging to find it. What 3 would you add to this list? Or take the challange and write your own list of 100... You pick.

My Mommy is hurt

Two weeks ago, my mom passed out at work. This is how she got that shinner. I wish that was all that was to the story. She got back to her desk and waited for a coworker to come back from work. They called medical for her. And she passed out on them again. They rushed her to Kadlec in an ambulance. And while in the ambulance, my mom's heart stopped. They put her on a temporary pacer. When she got to the hospital, her sugars were in the 700's. We were unsure for a long time wheather or not she had a heart attack causing her sugars to spike or if her sugars adversly affected her heart. She had tubes and monitors all over. She looked worse than I do when I go to the hospital. I think we counted 9 tubes at one time.

In the end, we found out that her sugars had spiked. And because of her beta blockers (which prevent her heart from beating too many times) her heart quit beating. She is now on new meds and doing much better. Her sugars are great!! She has even lost a ton of weight. If I'm not careful I'll get her fat clothes. She also is breathing better because they have taken her off all of her beta blockers and given her different high blood pressure medication. We are still working on bringing her blood pressure down to where the doctors want it. But that isn't new. She is doing much better. She spent Tuesday until Sunday in the hospital. And we were blessed by all your prayers and support. And we had so many friends in the medical field come out of the wood work to help too. Thank you all of you!!

It was Garth who would tell the nurses "My momma is hurt." He would also tell them, as they were trying to draw blood or something "don't hurt my momma." "Be nice to my momma." He was very cute. And he handled the situation very well. I was proud of him. He was anxious to have his momma home.

I love my mommy very much. And I don't know what I would do without her. We haven't always seen eye to eye. And I value our relationship that much more because we both had to work so hard for it. She is a huge support to us now. My kids love seeing their grandma. They loved getting to visit everyday while we tried to keep her feeling loved in the hospital. Momma, we love you. And we still need you.

Kaylyn is almost 18 months

These are classic shots taken the other day when I realized, I didn't have any pictures for this post.

These were from August!! Can you believe how big she is? Where is that little baby doll we brought home with us?

At the hospital, watching cartoons with her sisters.

All decked out like my big sisters!! Aren't I pretty?

Kaylyn will be 18 months the weekend of Thanksgiving. She is getting so big. She is no longer in the 3% but in the 9%, and I don't think she is so small anymore. She is quite the big girl--until I see her in nursery with all those tall kids. She loves to talk to you. Although most of it is babble. But the doctor was quite impressed that at a year she would babble, wait for an answer, and babble some more. Her vocab is just starting to take off. The other day she asked me "What's that?" She says Mom, Dad, Karla, Kylee, Garth, Grandma, eye, dog, bird, and ball. It seems like I'm missing a word or two...
She kind of jumps without her feet leaving the ground when she wants up--which she wants a lot through out the day. She will sit while you read her a book and loves to bring me books. She also will climb up the ladder to go down the slide all by her self. She also loves to swing. I haven't had her want to get out of the swing yet. She hates to be left in the house while others are outside. Instead of throwing a ball the way she use to, she now kicks it like her big sisters. It's cute watching her kick a ball almost half as big as she is. She loves dogs as long as they aren't too close or too big. We have lots of friends with dogs now, and she is really good at saying dog. She still isn't sure she wants to actually touch the dog.
Kaylyn loves to chew on toothbrushes. And she is very good at telling her sisters don't. I have heard her say Don't once or twice now that I think of it. At church, she was twirling in the isle when she sat down and bumped her head on the arm rest of the bench. She thought it was Karla who was sitting on the end. She tried to hit Karla, and I wouldn't let her. She tried two more times. And then she twirled around sat down and hit the floor. It was funny to watch--although I'm trying not to encourage this behavior.
We starting taking Kaylyn to nursery because she is ready. We can't leave her there for another month, but she is ready to not be sitting through Relief Society. So we take her. She doesn't worry when we leave the room. She plays nicely--and not always with mom. If I go where she is playing, she will include me. But she doesn't usually seek me out. She plays nicely. Todd tells me she doesn't sit through the lessons yet though. He takes her during Sunday School, and I take her during Relief Society since he's with the young men (except when I teach in Relief Society).
Kaylyn has started to pick out her own clothes. And the other day, I syled the girls hair. I put moose and sparkles in their hair for school. Kaylyn sat on my feet until I did her hair too. So I spiked it with the moose. And then she wouldn't let me finish till she had sparkles too. She is starting to become quite concerned with her looks. And she doesn't want to be left out. I can't wait until she is 16!
Kaylyn is very concerned about being left. I think my working on the weekends is taking its toll. But she does not watn to be left. Todd will take her for a ride around the block as I pull out so she doesn't feel left. And I will put her in her car seat 10 minutes before we leave so she doesn't worry. She asks to be put in her seat that early. And often, as we are trying to get kids ready for school, she will sit on my feet or want to be held. Imagin Kaylyn between Karla and I as I'm trying to tie shoes. Yeah, it's too cold to take her out early. But she doesn't want to be left. And she can tell when we are trying to get ready to leave.
She really is becoming quite the big girl. She climbs. She plays well. She wants to be include. She twirls and dances. She loves to play with toys and even pulls a few out of her drawer now. We are so proud of her. And she bring so much joy into our household.
Pictures soon to follow--when I have the computer a little longer....I hope next semester is one when Todd doesn't need the computer again. But I'm glad it's here for him to use.

Kylee's first day of Preschool

After Kylee's first day of class, Ms. Lara told us that Kylee was so ready for pre-school. And I agree with her! Kylee asked me "Do I get to go to school without you? And without Dad? With no one but me?" Because I use to take her to speech--and I would just stay for the 30 minutes.
These first pictures are from her second day. I thought she looked so cute and this is my Kylee. She has a better sence of style and matching than Karla. Ms. Lara thought she'd be a tom boy--but no she is all girl!! But she likes to climb tress and play rough too.

She was so done having her picture taken, can you tell? Here she is starting class. And here is Karla--eating breakfast for her first time at school--on Kylee's first day of preschool.
And here is Kylee on her first day of preschool.

She finally said No more pictures!! But I didn't get one that I loved...so I kept taking pictures. Hense, I took some on her second day of school.

Soccer

Kylee has said she wants to grow up to be a soccer player. I guess we better get her in soccer, right? We were able to find this fun new

league. It's perfect for what my 4 and 5 year old need. No politics!! And practice right before a scrimmage. It makes my life easier than trying to remember when 4's practice and when 5 practice!! We show up and come to find out my Aunt Jenny and Uncle Seth are the coaches. How fun!! The girls love it. I haven't gotten to go yet because of work. But my mom and Uncle Jonathan have been good about pitch hitting for us and taking them. Here are some pictures. When I got home after their first game Kylee told me in a very dramatic voice "I made a goal! And Karla made two goals!!" I played for 6 years, so it's fun to watch them get into it. I loved it. I probably would have continued except the we were getting into Sunday games, and I don't play on Sundays.