The Night of High Performance

Tonight we had a pretty low key FHE.  Andy took a break from his closet building and announced the theme of the evening: The Night of High Performance.  Each member of the family was given five quiz questions.  Kyler's questions had to do with addition facts -- his skills in this area have improved greatly as of late.  Keanna's questions were spelling words (she has the third grade spelling bee this week and has been studying her little heart out).  Taylei's questions started off with her play scales on the piano.  She was successful with the scale of C but became confused on the next one.  She was then asked random questions about the boiling temperature of water, the stars and stripes on the flag etc.  Andy and I weren't left out of the game.  He wanted me to name the planets - I think I got 7 of 9.  After he threw out this question I changed from the easy ones (name the continents of the earth) I had been giving him to a question Mr. Farr asked Keanna's class while I was there.  If you have 13 quarters, 22 dimes, 45 nickels and 429 pennies how much money would you have?  Keanna's class is learning to figure these out using mental computation only.  Andy was off by $1.  Keanna nailed it - $11.99.  (I was dumbfounded when Mr. Farr asked his class this question and couldn't believe how many got it right.  Being able to figure out money is a life skill not many people learn.  Props to Mr. Farr on challenging his class to think.)  Kyler answered the most questions correctly, 5 for 5.  Maybe I should be creative and come up with an award for the winner to be displayed neatly in the bedroom until the next competition.  Maybe this warrants a need to go and shop . . .  or maybe I'll just stay home, save my money and spend more time with these glorious beings.

The Super Bowl was second fiddle to . . .

Litte Miss Maci -- the star of the day.

 We traveled to Holladay for her baby blessing.  Ryan did an awesome job and Maci is a little princess.

Mary Dawn, as always, was an amazing host.  The food was delicious.  The company was great.

The Super Bowl though, was disappointing.  I was hoping for a Steelers win.  Andy and I both wore our jerseys to show our support but no go.  I admit I have no idea who any of the players or coaches were.  I was just cheering for the Steelers name.  In all reality, I just like watching the commercials, the game is extra.  The day turned out way nice . . . an awesome time spent with family and we even avoided all forms of Sperry fits.  The week of miracles.

We (means Andy) are almost ready for the blue and green

Kyler has wanted his room painted for some time now.  I store my craft paints under his bed and have often questioned how wise this is when he sees them and his interest in painting is peaked.  A little spark in his brain reminds him how much he wants his room painted.

Last summer while we were visiting Mary Dawn, we went to the paint store and chose a few samples.  They have been taped to his wall since this time waiting to become reality.

This is the last room we have to redo.  It was retextured and painted when we first moved in but that was of the orange peel variety and the walls were a bright version of white and it was 11.5 years ago.  Time for a change.

I wanted something with more color but I'm also scared of color.  While visiting a friend's home garnishing ideas the vision hit me.  Andy complied and the trim boards were the project of the day.  It is going to be miserable to paint but I believe it will look awesome when it is all is finished.

Now I just need to work on convincing Kyler the paint colors belong where I want them.  His idea is a little different than mine.

Protection of Angels with a Graphic Warning

Kyler and Taylei had a play date tonight at Uncle Mike's house.  Kynlee wanted to play Super Mario with four players.  The night had went well to the best of my knowledge and I called Taylei when I was on my way to pick them up and asked them to be ready.

The journey took a little longer than normal when I had to stop and purchase fuel (which has skyrocketed in price, again).  I called Taylei as I was driving up the street hoping to have her and Kyler just run out.  Sounds kind of lazy I know but it was terribly cold and Aysen was with me and all mothers understand the pain of moving children in and out of carseats (nice run on sentance). 

When Nikkii answered Taylei's phone I was slightly confused.  She quickly expained the situation had changed in the last few minutes and she had taken Mike to the emergency room.

Super Mario may need to attach a warning, it should read something like this:  Do not play this game while sitting on glass coffee tables.  Sounds a little ridiculous but really, McDonald's has to put the warning that the 'coffee is hot' on their cups.  Same mentality I believe.

The story:  Mike, Kyler, Taylei and Kynlee were in the middle of a serious game of Mario.  Mike and Kyler must have felt the hard, glass (remember the need for the warning) coffee table gave them the competitive edge over the cushioned, leather sofa.  I'm told Mike has also sat in this same position with his brother Paul while playing the game.  Warning needed. 

The glass shattered.  Kyler fell straight through and Mike caught himself on the wood frame.  The size, shape and sharpness of the glass pieces under the table is hard to imagine and quite undescribable.  (My mother and I cleaned up piece after piece.  When the shock of it all wore off we regretted not taking a picture.)  Mike yelled for Kyler to hold still and lifted him up out of the glass.

Taylei helped Kyler undress to check for injuries.  The worst of it was a small scrape at the base of his back that didn't even draw blood.  Mike didn't come out of it quite as lucky. 

He doesn't know when he received this gash to the inside of his elbow.  It makes me physically ill just looking at it.  He was stitched up but it didn't require additional medical care .

I know Kyler should have been seriously injured.  I know he should have required stitches in multiple locations with the possible internal injuries.  Glass is nasty.  I know he was blessed.  I know Heavenly Father protected him from harm this day.  I know I am blessed.  Miracles are abundant this week at our house.

He did it . . .

Mr. Aysen has been on the verge of walking for the last few days.  He has been taking 3 - 5 steps at a time but has a tremendous amount of fear and promptly sets himself down.  

Tonight with the help of a peanut bar he took 20+ steps multiple times.  He didn't seem to understand he was walking.  His attention was focused on opening his prize.

Walking hasn't taken over as his main mode of transportation but he has made it past a great hurdle.

Congratulations Aysen . . .

Happy Valentine's Day

Picture me singing gleefully, "I did it, I did it, I did it."

My valentines were placed in the mail today, February 2.

Notice I am writing the 2nd not the 11th, 12th or even 13th.  

Me the queen of procrastination actually accomplished something in a timely manner.  Maybe my lack of accomplishing the task last year added additional inspiration for this year.  

Thanks to the staff at Kimo's for the helping with the finishing touches.  On my list of things I hope to accomplish, a goal if you must,  is a photoshop class.  I want to learn to edit, adjust and design in this powerful program.  It is overwhelming.  Period.  Another dream for another day.  Maybe when the littlest man in the family doesn't control so many of my hours.

Speaking of Aysen, I was laying in bed with him the other night and was actually still awake when he gave in to the depths of slumber.  I couldn't bring myself to get back up.  I spent a few moments staring at him.  Life is amazing.  Eyes that see.  A heart that pumps.  Muscles that allow movement.  How anybody can doubt the divinity of life as a gift from our Heavenly Father hasn't taken the time to watch a baby sleep.  I do complain but soon he is going to be grown and not need me.  I'll enjoy it while I can.

From years gone by . . .

I made myself a little mess over the last few days.  All of the photos from my past were pulled from a box, sorted, tossed, and a handful were sent to be scanned.  The piles have been all over the floor and not once have my children relocated, messed with or used them for their art projects.

Another reason to believe miracles still exist.

 While I have been sorting, many of the photos have made their way into the round file.  I've learned that  scenery pictures have little meaning 15 years later. 

I.E.:  The pictures of the backlots at Universal Studios have all been discarded.

During the purge I found a few classic photos . . .

Why Andy's drivers license has made it into my box of treasures is a mystery.  But since it has been located I will use it to prove my professions.

Taylei is small.  I wish she would grow a little.  I tell people she gets her size from her father.  I'm sure they think I'm crazy when I use him as the reason . . . he is 6'0" and 190 pounds. 

This license is my proof.  At age 16, if you look closely he measures in at 5'3" and a whopping 110.

Taylei will grow . . . it is just a matter of when.

For the record . . . my mom did used to dye her hair.  She was a blond beauty when she married.

I once was quite small myself.  

I could also add an entry in a gratitude journal.  It would allude to the fact that I'm grateful upholstery fabric of this fashion is no longer available for purchase.

Once upon a time my father had pepper hair.  Quite different than the salt variety he has aged into.  He is holding Mike and I.  Notice Mike's cute little bottom.  This proves my father to be quite brave in my book.  He was holding a loaded weapon with no protection and I know first hand the risk he was taking.

And one last picture in honor of Mona Days.  My mom always made us AMAZING floats.  Mona style, we were at the top.  My Grandpa Ewell was always kind enough to let her use his garden cart as the base.  Kami and I would be the horse power to pull the cart through the entire four block parade route.  I believe it was this year our mothers decided to pull the cart home and were amazed by how heavy it was.    This mystery could easily be solved.  Mike and Clint were sitting on cinderblocks.  

I'm once again inspired to work on documenting my past for the members of the future.

Too bad it seems I would have to give up the present to get it done.

The solution: sleep less a whole, whole lot less.