My Boy Man is 13!!

Today is Ian's birthday and he is 13. AAAAHHHHHH, STOP IT!! What is going on? What is with the growing up my children seem so intent on doing? It is shocking, as I have not aged a day since he was born, crazy. Here's the story of his birth, because women love to tell birth stories.

A long time ago in a land far, far away, called Dayton, Ohio, there was a very pregnant woman named Jennifer and her long suffering husband, Kenneth. They were very young. They looked 15 & 17, but were in fact 21 & 23. They had worked hard throughout the pregnancy in hopes that they would have the best birth EVER. They had taken the Bradley Method classes in order to learn about having a child without medication. That method is serious, yo. They have a very low failure rate, like 3%. With that 3% it was medically necessary to have intervention. The instructor made sure everyone knew that. You do not want to be that 3%. Kenneth and Jennifer were as ready as is humanly possible for people who have never experienced a birth.

Dec 20, 1995. Jennifer really wanted the baby to come. She didn't want a Christmas baby and her insurance ran out at the end of December. Her official due date was Dec 23th, the 20th would be a great day. She took some castor oil and promptly threw it up. Disgusting going down, super disgusting coming up. Contractions started. Being anxious for the baby to come, they decided to go to the hospital. Bad idea. Jennifer was hooked up to everything and even though the nurse knew that Jennifer didn't want any drugs she kept offering them to her every 1/2 hr. Annoying. After 5 hours of walking trying to get the contractions to do something the young couple decided to go home. Jennifer's calves were so sore. Not fun.

Finally on Dec 23rd Jennifer decided that she would try the castor oil one more time. She took it around 11:00 pm, having eaten dinner at 6, she figured she wouldn't throw up this time. She didn't. She spent about 1/2 on the commode, not the best time of her life. Then she got in the bath. Soon the contractions were coming in earnest. She woke her husband and made him call the doctor. The doctor could hear Jennifer moaning in pain and with all the stats he told them to go to the hospital. Then, said doctor went back to bed, of course. After all this was the couple's first baby so he would see them sometime in the afternoon, right? There had been plenty of snow and ice and the drive to the hospital was not pleasant. It seemed to take forever even though the hospital was only 5 min away. There were so many icy ruts in the road and poor Jennifer felt every one of them.

They made it to the hospital and up to their room around 2 am. Jennifer was again hooked up to everything. Unluckily for her she was the only one in labor that night so all the bored nurses were in her room. This being Jennifer's first time with body ripping open pain, she was pretty serious, just like the Bradley Method. The noise from the uninvited nurses was driving her crazy and the only person she could take it out on was the kind, quiet man watching her suffer. "Don't touch me!!," she would growl at him. Poor Kenneth was only trying to help. Jennifer was only trying to survive. Very soon, in birthing time, Jennifer was feeling pushy. Not pushy as in excessively or unpleasantly self-assertive or ambitious, but as in she needed to push that baby out. She told the nurses that she wanted to push. Because Jennifer hadn't even been there two hours they told her that she probably wasn't ready for that. They checked her and low and behold she was a 10 with a tiny lip. Apparently that means she was really good looking, but her lip was small. They told her not to push, as there was no doctor there. They called the doctor, who lived 20 min away and told him to come. He must have driven very fast. Do you know what it feels like to not push when every fiber of your being is screaming, "PUSH!"? Not great. Well, Jennifer was pushing a little, because it hurt so freakin' bad not to push. The doctor finally walked in, he was frantically gowning up and gloving up. He told Jennifer that she could push. She pushed about 2 times and the baby was born along with a huge gush of water all over the tardy doctor's shoes. He didn't have time to put on booties. Maybe that will teach you to next time be more prepared, Doctor.

Dec 24, 1995, 4:17 am. Cute baby with a bruised face. So sad about the bruised face, but very happy about the cute baby. He weighed in at 9lb 6oz. Kenneth and Jennifer were both feeling much better now. They were able to hold their baby, 9lb 6oz feels much better outside than inside. Jennifer tried to feed the little nuzzler, but she was exhausted and as it turned out dehydrated. When the nurse came in to help her to the bathroom for the first time she passed out on the floor. Imagine young Kenneth holding their newborn son watching his wife twitch on the floor. It wasn't fun for him. Jennifer was unconscious so she didn't mind. She was fine though and the young family was able to go home on Christmas day, with the baby in a giant Christmas stocking. Merry Christmas to them.

Back to the present. Ian is an amazing kid. He is funny, willing, super smart, kind, responsible and worthy. I love watching him pass the sacrament each week. I love watching him teach his younger brothers and playing with them. He loves to tease them as well. He is really good at it. He's a great babysitter. He is so willing to help when asked. He sometimes asks why he is asked to do everything. I tell him because he's my favorite... oldest child. Which is true. He is my favorite boy named Ian, my favorite 13 yr old, my favorite child born in Dec., and my favorite oldest child of all time. I am crazy in love with him. He has had some rough moments being the oldest, but he has done so well. I'm so pleased with the young man he is and the man he is becoming. Happy birthday, Ian!

Piano Recital

l-r Andrew, Sophia, Ian, Carter, Orion, Rebecca, Theron, Natalie, Katelyne, Emilyn, and Teacher Jamie
missing: Madison and Matthew

My kids had their annual piano recital last night. They did such a good job. Theron even played We Wish You a Merry Christmas while everyone sang along. I was amazed. This is Orion's first year, he's been taking since September. Ian, Sophia and Theron have been taking lessons for 3 1/2 years. They luckily have a wonderful teacher in Jamie Jensen. She just lives up the street so they usually go by themselves. Her number of students has steadily grown, there are two missing from this photo. All the kids did wonderfully. I'm always telling the kids that they need to be able to play the piano for when they are on their mission. Jamie said the same thing last night. It's always nice to hear it from someone other than Mom. I'm really so pleased with all their hard work and their willingness. Much thanks to Jamie for teaching my children.

Things You Have Done

Tag:What have you done?

Rules are: Anything you have done has to be in bold. How much have you done?

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower - Not for very long, but I saw a few. It's in the middle of the night, Yo.
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain - I love hiking.
9. Held a Praying Mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Been to the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa at the Louvre
20. Slept on an train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked - I've picked up a few, but never done it myself.
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping - one of my dreams, but somewhere warm, never in Utah.
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run - Never out of the park. I have a tendency to keep running while the players are overthrowing the bases. It still counts.
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person

34. visited the birthplace of your ancestors - Does this mean another country? Because I've been to Michigan which is where my great-great-great grandfather was born. That counts, right?
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language - Igpay Atinlay ountcay?
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant - What is with everyone buying a stranger a meal? Pretend I'm a stranger the next time you see me in a restaurant, please.
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud - The only thing I don't like about playing in mud is that it looks like chocolate, but it's not. Don't eat it!
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business - Amway and Mary Kay. I'm awesome.
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check - many.
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Tied a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job - You haven't lived until you've been fired, Baby.
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a Bone - I have bones of steel.
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible - I wish I could say that I've read it all. I read as much as I had to for seminary. I have read the comic book version many times though. Does that count?
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life - They say I do everytime I donate blood.
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club - Word!
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Visited Italy

I tag Jenny, Sherri, Stacey and Devyn.

Tree House

The tree and the house. Separate in location, yet together in theme.

We usually decorate the tree on the first FHE of December. This year that happened to also be the first day of December. This was the first year that the kids did it all by themselves. That is why there are no ornaments way up high and they seem to be clumped, but I think they did a great job. I love it. I especially loved sitting on the couch while they did it.

Another tradition we have is the gingerbread house. Someday I am going to do one from scratch all by myself. Right now we use the kit we buy at Costco. I divvy up the candy, put on the icing and let them go to town on decorating and eating. Sometime after Christmas I will take my mallet and break the house. They will then eat the dusty remnants. Tasty.

Student of the Month

Orion was picked as the Student of the Month for his class. Amazing. I think it is his mad friend making skilz that got it done for him. He came home last month and informed me that he is now friends with all the kids in his class. Easy, peasy, be my friend pleasy. I missed the awards ceremony because I can not be expected to remember something over a long, relaxing weekend. I needed to write it down and I didn't. I'm sad that I missed it, but that doesn't change the fact that he is awesome and I am really proud of him.

Closer to Present - Thanksgiving Weekend

Let's jump to Thanksgiving weekend. That's fairly close to the present. It was a wonderful weekend. I must say, that I didn't want it to end when Dec. 1st rolled around.

Friday I DID NOT go shopping. There wasn't anything I really needed, except my sleep. That's free. Friday afternoon we went to lunch with my crew, you know, my homies, my posse, my gang, my tribe, my pack, my coven... you get where I'm going with this, right?

Yes, we were going to Twilight. I had a great time. I was mostly just so excited to be going out with my friends. I had über low expectations just because I was not excited about the casting. It turned out much better than I expected. I can't wait to see it again, so that I can really take it all in. Seriously though, what was up with Jasper?!

Saturday my friend, Marissa, who lives in Chicago was in town and came for a short visit with her husband, Russ, and daughter, Eliza. Marissa and I have known each other since we were 17 and she moved to Utah.

After high school we were roommates at Ricks. The year after that she acted as my maid of honor. After we moved out here, they moved here about a year later. They lived behind us for a few years before moving to Chicago. Neither one of us is terribly great at keeping in touch, we don't call often, write often, e-mail often or see each other often, but we are still close.

It was so wonderful to feel like nothing had changed when we saw each other. I loved it.

They also gave us a box of amazingly delicious chocolates, Frango Mints. This is how I know the chocolates are amazing, there are still some left after almost two weeks. Now you may say, "Isn't that they opposite of amazing, if there are still some left after that long?" Nope, they are so good that I can be satisfied with a few and there were a lot in that box as you can see.

Sunday Kenneth and I spoke in church. Why would I consider this a good part of a wonderful weekend, you ask? Well, it's because now we know that we won't be speaking in church for quite a while. That is always a really great feeling.

We finished off Sunday with some yummy pumpkin cookies. I found this recipe on Bakerella, picture also courtesy of Bakerella. Kenneth doesn't like cakey cookies, like regular pumpkin cookies, so I've been trying to find him something that he would like. He did like these. They are very sweet. Unfortunately, that didn't keep me from eating a lot of the dough, plenty of the frosting and a dozen finished cookies. So sick, yet so worth it.

All I can say to finish here is, "WHEN IS CHRISTMAS BREAK?!"

41, the Magic Number for Halloween

Isn't 41 days past an event the magic number for posting about it, or is that only Halloween? I didn't want to drive people crazy with one more Halloween post. Now we're all about Christmas so a Halloween post will give us all a little break from that madness. A look into the past, if you will. Lots of pics to follow, gird your loins, here we go.

Ian dressed as a traditional public school student. He attends a charter school so he doesn't usually get to wear a t-shirt and jeans to school.

Sophia, the 50's girl. Orion, black Spider-man. Theron, future surgeon. Dylan, half-dressed Ben 10.

Mitzi was a vampire, notice how her glowing eyes lull you into a false sense of security.

I was able to help out in Sophia's class. We had four different stations, with 2 games, a craft, a treat and a lot of fun. They are such cute kids.

Now to the Harry Potter neighborhood. What have we created?! It is madness and so fun, and I don't see a way out. We had over 600 trick-or-treaters. Some of our neighbors aren't fans and I'm pretty sure that a few of the new move-ins were totally blindsided as they finished handing out their candy in record time. We are not upset by those who don't want to participate and keep their lights off or leave. I totally believe that is their right as it is our right to create Harry Potter mayhem.

We will visit The Daily Prophet first. That's my house.

We are The Daily Prophet because I wanted to dress up like Rita Skeeter. That's how I roll and I make my family roll with me.

We have our newspaper in the window complete with the moving pictures and everything. You have to see it in person to fully appreciate it.

Rita's best selling book on the life of Dumbledore,

our owls,

and delivery boy.

Ian got to stay home this year and hand out candy so I was able to go out with my kids for the first time. So Rita wasn't actually at the paper much this year and most people I met on the street had no idea who I was dressed up as. Rita needs to be at the paper for people to recognize her. The weather was fairly warm. It was great.

Gringott's Bank. They have a new vault door this year. Very cool.

We met Ben 10 Alien Force.

On to Azkaban. I think that they are the reason for the large crowds. It is just so amazing and larger than life. We are so grateful to the Dementors for thinking of putting it in our neighborhood.

They also provided the large HP in the park.

Potions Class.

Hogwart's Library.

Tom Riddle's House. Creepy and perfect. I love it.

The Forbidden Forest. I didn't get a good picture, but they had some really big spiders around.

Ollivander's Wand Shop.

With the winner of the best pumpkin of Halloween 2008, brooding Edward. LOVE IT!!!

Dolores Umbridge's office.

She looked so great. Creepy Sweet. Notice Mad-Eyed Moody's eye on the door. She's so evil.

The Burrow. They have the clock saying where everyone is. The little owl, the rat, and a wizards chess set.

The Owlery.

The Apothecary. Notice the white-haired wizard handing out the candy. He is there every year.

St Mungo's was new this year.

Kenneth has ruined my kids with his pansy trick-or-treating of years past. He was ready to stop after just our neighborhood, and so were the kids. I was wearing heels and my feet were killing me, but they was so much more candy out there calling to us that I wanted to keep going. Sure it was raining, but it was a warm rain. Kenneth said it was because I had a wig on and was wearing a wool suit that I thought it was warm. I guess when you are bald rain tends to really affect you. We did stop and so must this post.

Survey for the New Road to I-15

If you live on the west side of Utah Lake, or if you ever drive over here, you should take this survey. It's a UDOT survey. Here is a link to some information on the new interchange that they are planning on putting in American Fork. It's a very quick survey and we all want our input to be heard, right?

What Your Height Says About You

I found this on The Johnson Family blog. I think this is very funny. It doesn't ask your sex or anything, just your height. That's amazing that all the people who are the same height as me are the same as me. Wild.

What Your Height Says About You

You are powerful, brilliant, and a bit of a rebel. You are an idealist, and you will work hard for a better world. It's hard for other people to keep up with you - both mentally and physically. And you're so independent, you actually prefer to go it alone. You are about as tall as the average Italian man.

What Does Your Height Say About You?