The Embarrassing Second Day...

You know how normal kids are usually hoping their parents don't end up at school one day, doing something that completely embarrasses them?! Well instead of the kid being embarrassed today, it was his Mom. Here's the scoop...

It's my second day of working at the school. Today we're subbing in the classrooms teaching "Meet the Masters" art program. During the first part of the class, I'm in a room along with another aid, watching her as she teaches our two classes about the famous artist. Then we split and I take my class into their room so we can work on our art project. This time I have Hunter's class. He is so excited to have his Mom as a substitute teacher on Fridays, and then a regular helper in class the other days. Of course, he can't hold still for long today because of this.

So I'm explaining to the class how to draw something in a box that represents the word "dented". I explain they can draw a car that was just in an accident and received a dent from it. Or they can pretend they threw something at a wall, and put a big dent in it. Then I said, "Hunter's Dad once made a huge dent in our wall at home when he bumped something into it, and guess who had to fix it? Me!" The kids laughed. Hunter immediately piped up with, "Ya and guess what he did to my Mom... shot her in the butt with a blow dart gun!"

Let's just say I changed the subject as fast as I could despite the enormous bout of laughter that erupted.

I think this is going to be a fun, but interesting year. I'm so excited though to work in Hunter's class every day!

My Patriotic Boys

I love living in America. I love the freedoms we have here. Free to choose for ourselves. Free to practice our religions, and so on. I love the land here. Especially where we live, being surrounded with beautiful, tall mountains, lakes, and big western skies with gorgeous sunsets. And I love our flag. Especially being at a rodeo as they run the American Flag around at the start of a rodeo. It's very humbling and yet a very prideful moment for me. One of my favorite things to see is our American Flag blowing in the wind.

So to see our boys taking on the prideful spirit of being an American is awesome. For the last 3 years, Jared has been Young Men's President in our ward. And during certain months of the year, his group is in charge of taking the flag down at our church once all the meetings are over. Well, as it sometimes goes, there aren't always young men there to help. That's when Jared has our boys come to help him. He's taught them how to lower the flag and grab it before it touches the ground, and then fold it neatly so it ends in the triangular shape before returning it inside the church. It's been a good learning experience for them. At times we are taking it down after dark, on our way home from Granny's house, but since our time change with our meetings this year, it's been directly after church. The sweetest moment was three weeks ago, as I was walking out of our building, I turned and saw Jared-all dressed in his suit, with T.J. and Cody- who were also in their nice church clothes (wranglers and cowboy button-up shirts) taking the flag down. They seemed very still and quiet, Jared only speaking as he reminded them what to do, all three showing respect as they did it. I wish so bad I had taken my camera to church with me just so I could capture that moment. Cause you know with boys, there is hardly a quiet moment to find. But this time there was. It was like time stood still as I and a couple others in our ward watched on. Once they were finished, they turned and walked towards the church, Jared holding the flag in his hands. Then Hunter who had been playing down on the hill, saw they were done and ran towards the church, bring the everyday noise of a boy back with him. It was one of those moments that a Mom will never forget. And as an American, will never be more proud of.

Then there was this morning. Jared turned on the Olympics. It's the last day of the London 2012 Olympics. The U.S. men's basketball team had just received the gold medal and they began playing the National Anthem. Hunter sang right along with it, only stumbling over a few words. I was so impressed! He's only 7, and yet sang almost word for word our National Anthem. He had a big smile on his face as he finished, because he knew I was watching and was very proud of him at that moment.

Again, it made me smile to see how much American Pride our boys have.

And so, I will end this post with one thing. One of my very favorite pictures I have of our boys. This was taken at the Cedar Fort Rodeo 3 years ago as they were running the flag around the arena at the start of the rodeo. Look at the respect they have showing in their faces.

I'm so proud of these boys.

And so thankful to live in America.

My Unexpected Job

Today I got a call from the school saying Cody wasn't feeling good. His throat and his stomach hurt. (I was really hoping he didn't have strep again! Grandma Morse has been really sick with strep - we think. She hasn't gone into the doctor to confirm.) So I headed to the school.

I do the normal thing. Walk in, talk to the receptionist, and sign him out. In the mean time, I hear Stephanie - the head secretary - call my name, and then appear right next to me. I thought, "Um, something must be wrong." But it was a good surprise instead. She said there was an opening to be an aid there and if I wanted the job, it was mine.

What?!

I was shocked! She said one of the teachers mentioned to her I'd be interested since I'd already asked Mrs. Wilcox (who is in our ward, plus Cody had her as a teacher, and is one of the best teachers there!) about maybe getting on as an aid. At that time, which was about 3 weeks ago, the only opening was to be a computer teacher. i laughed at that job offer. Me... a computer teacher?! I'd have all the computers broken or seriously defective if I tried to do that. So I kind of forgot about getting on this year as an aid and decided after football season, I'd check into a company where you work from home.

But apparently, one of the aids hired didn't work out, so if I wanted the job, it was mine. It would be everyday from 9:30 to 12:30 and I'd be on A track. Of course I wanted the job! A chance to work and help out with money while being able to track off with my boys so I can be home with them while they are home? Yes!!

So here's the details of my job... I'm called a Power Hour Aid. I work with 1st through 3rd grades helping students who need help in reading. Sometimes I'd be running teacher errands and such, and sometimes I might be on recess duty. Fridays I teach and art class. Teachers now have a mandatory class every Friday for an hour or so, so while they are gone, I will go into classes and teach art. How cool is that?! I absolutely love art!

The only draw back was I had to call Cherie and tell her I wouldn't be able to watch Blakeley all day anymore. And of course, it's her birthday so I had to give her this news that I was quiting, on a day like today for her. But she was so good about it. She told me I need to do what's best for my family first and that she was happy for me. I told her I wouldn't mind taking Blakeley after my shift until she's done with work, if that helps the new person who's lucky enough to watch her. Although it's hard to go back to the baby stage after not having babies for 7 years, I'm going to miss it. Blakeley is so sweet and has been so fun to have around for my boys. They got to experience a little of what it might be like to have a sister.

So, my days of being a stay at home mom are coming to an end. I went into the district and filled out my application, and once orientation and finger printing is done sometime next week, I start back to work. It's been just over 11 years since I've really worked. Yes, I've done little things here and there at home, and I will still do Mary Kay, but now I also have a little job that gets me out everyday but allows me to still be Mom. It's on a year to year basis right now. If the school gets the grant, I'll probably stay on. If not, I'll count my blessings that this little job came at a time we need it.

Here We Go Again

I cannot believe I'm writing about this again. I thought we were done! Cody woke up this morning and even before he got out of bed was in extreme pain in his right ankle. I was hoping he just sprained it jumping on the tramp last night, or twisted it while he was playing in the irrigation water at his friends, but as our luck goes lately, it's not from that. Cody's in so much pain right now he's crying. And he's walking like he did a few months ago when this all started.

I think his reaction from strep is back.

It makes me mad just writing this.

I honestly thought he was done with this. It's been almost two months exactly since he's had any claritin and he's done great. I have noticed him limping a tiny bit the last couple weeks, but he says he doesn't hurt, and that it's just from his boots being uncomfortable. In the back of my mind I've had a feeling to take him in to the doctor and be checked for strep just to make sure it isn't coming back. Guess we're heading there Monday. I don't want to go to any other doctor but his own given he knows Cody's whole medical history with this. Until then, Cody's back on Claritin and Advil. He's not happy, and neither am I.

Jared and I leave Wednesday for Trek. Cody is so nervous about this and so am I now, too. And with how much needs to get done between now and Tuesday night when everything has to be packed and put into the trailer, I don't have time for this. Not to mention the stress it brings now. Ugh... I'm ready for Trek to be over with. As much as I am excited to go on it, I am ready for our life of chaos to be done. In our last meeting for Trek this past Sunday, the stake was saying they know how our lives have been turned upside down these last few months. Satan does not want any of us going on Trek and knows it can be a life changing experience for everyone, especially the youth, so he's trying everything to stop us from going. That right there tells you how awesome Trek is. We've felt Satan trying to work us. There's been moments of doubt wondering if I'm really going on this thing. But guess what?! I AM. I'll do everything I can to help Cody, and then turn it over to the Lord. Satan is  not going to win with me. It's amazing to look back and see how much he's been trying to work on everyone. Even our bishop is getting it. His other shop in No. Salt Lake caught fire Thursday. The minute I heard this, I thought "because it's time for Trek".

I know things will work out in the end. Carrie will take good care of him for us while we are gone. Just wish I knew when Cody will officially be "cured" from this weird reactive arthritis from strep.

Poor kid.

So Long Ol' Buddy...

I just attended a funeral for one of Cody's toads, a.k.a. "Chicken Noodle". Cody's had these toads for just over four years now. They are called fire bellied toads because of the neon coloring on their stomach. His are bright orange with black webbing throughout. They are really neat. Jared had some when he was younger and always wanted our kids to have some. So four years Cody got two toads. He named them "Chicken Noodle" and "Freckles".

It was fun to watch them over the years. At times we'd walk in their bedroom and find the toads climbing up the wall of their aquarium. That's when you can really see their color. They have been so easy to take care of. Just make sure they have water and feed them crickets a couple times a week and that's it.

Lately though we haven't been feeding them as often. And when we did, "Freckles" took all the food. At times we'd find "Freckles" trying to eat "Chicken Noodle". I knew "Chicken Noodles" time was coming to a close. He was getting so skinny and couldn't jump like he used to. And with "Piggy", a.k.a. "Freckles", hogging all the food, there wasn't much we could do for him.

And so his time came. I found him the other night as the boys were going to bed. He was lying on his back, with his front legs crossed over his body like arms, and his legs lying outward, bending at the knees of course. He looked like he just lied down and died. Poor thing.

Cody buried him out by the chicks. Hunter and I attended the funeral. We sang "Taps" as he put the dirt over him, and then ended with a moment of silence. Despite this coming from the death of our friend, it was cute to watch my boys as we had a funeral for our toad. We kind of laughed together as we sang "Taps". It's funny to have a funeral over such a small thing as loosing a toad.

So long ol' friend. We'll miss ya but will be getting another one to take your place soon. "Freckles" is lonely now that you're gone. Maybe he should have thought about this before he stole your food and then tried eating you.

In the Mind of a Child...

We went to dinner with my family for Jamie's birthday to Five Guys Burgers and Fries. While we were waiting for Jim and Cherie to come, we noticed there were 3x5 index cards available with crayons to draw pictures to hang up on the wall. 

So once the boys table, including Jared and John, finished eating, they set to drawing pictures. Here's what Hunter surprised us with..                                                                                                                 
A story of Jesus' Life. (Narrated by Hunter himself.)

"There's no room at the Inn!"

"Jesus is born. See the bright star?"

"There's baby Jesus."

"The shepherds with their dog."

"Jesus growing up."

(Hunter with a huge smile on his face as he shows me this.)

How cute is that?!

He made sure everyone saw these.

Love that last one... "Jesus Christ Rocks."

All in the mind of a seven year old.

Hurray!!!

It's been 13 days since Cody's had any Claritin and I think it's safe to say he's over his weird strep/reactive arthritis thing!!!! 

Can I just have a moment to....
Happy Dance!!

It's such a relief to us to hear him say his legs and feet don't hurt. It's such a relief to not be dealing with strep over and over, pain in his legs and feet and swelling so bad it's extremely painful to walk on. And the unknown of what's causing this. 

It's such a relief!

I'm crying as I post this because it's such a relief.

We finally have our Cody back. Our happy go lucky kid who is content with life, who appreciates the little things, and is always there with a hug. I was talking with his teacher today - Mrs. Melton - who told me she was worried she'd never have the real Cody back. She, too, is so happy to hear he's doing better. She knows he's back by the way he acts everyday. Now that's a good teacher - someone who knows a child well enough that she knows when he's sick or some thing's wrong just by watching him.

I'm so thankful for prayer, and priesthood blessings, and modern day medicine. Ya, it took a little while to figure out what was wrong with him. Cody stumped the doctors with this, but we have to remember we're all human, too. And we learn day by day with the things that surround us. All we can do is try something, and if it doesn't work out, move on to something else. I'm so thankful for the doctors we were able to take him to. They figured it out and brought us our Cody back.

We're just working on building up his immune system now. He ended up contracting the 5th disease twice in the last month, which is unusual, but not serious. He's on vitamins, BCAA's, and eating right and exercising (training for the up coming football season. He's going to be able to play!! We weren't sure if that would happen this year, but I think it's safe to say it will!).

I know looking back now, this was a trial I'll be thankful we went through, but right now it's still such a relief we made it through. We appreciate our kids more. We appreciate good health more. And modern day medicine. Who knew it would only take something as simple as Claritin to cure this?!

It lasted 3 months. From January 20 to April 14th (the last day of claritin). A quarter of a year.

I feel like it should only be the beginning of April. Being so focused on this, this year has flown for us.

I feel like we can get back to normal now.

Whatever that is.