Reflections of Gratitude

I can't imagine what life would be like without my little family. These guys are everything to me. Each one with their own personality contributes something unique yet essential to our family. They teach me something everyday. I love them.

I found this last surviving daisy in my garden just this week which is really nothing short of a miracle. The temps here have been dipping below freezing. This daisy is a symbol to me of hope. Hope has become extremely important to me over the past few years. I am so thankful for believing that a positive outcome is possible even when there is some evidence to the contrary.

How grateful I am for my faith, good health, great friends and my country.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL!

Twenty Two Cents

Okay, I'm 100% converted to LED lights now!!!

I checked my brothers math and plugged in my own numbers to see how much its costing me to power the Christmas lights that we have strung across the front of our house.

2.4 watts X 5 sets = 12 watts

12 watts X .001 = .012 kw

6 Hrs/night X .012 = .072 kw per night

.072 X 38 days (Thanksgiving weekend through New Years) = 2.736 total killowatts

2.736 X .08 (I pay 8 cents per killowatt) = .21888 cents

.2188 rounds up to 22 cents.

Yes, you heard that right. It will cost me TWENTY TWO CENTS to run my lights from Thanksgiving weekend until New Years.

Jeesh, I should get paid for this:)

Is this what Big Brothers are for???

Because I love my brother dearly and because he only comments privately I've decided to post his comment to my recent random post. Now you will understand why I am so strange:)

Introducing Guest blogger: Sam
Nice on the Christmas lights. I am actually a big advocate of supporting one of Wyoming ’s biggest resources, Coal. Most of the power plants in the country are fired by Coal, and thus I have decided to not only stick with the Christmas lights I already have, but in July at a garage sale I found a deal on more lights, you know still in the box never been used. I was able to pick up 11 sets (275 feet total) of the C-7 lights which are rated at 125 watts each set. With this in mind, if I plug all of the new lights in it will be an additional 1375 watts per hour which translates into 1.375 kw per hour. If I run the lights for 6 hrs per night (6X1.375kwh=8.25kwh) that will be an additional 8.25 kwh per night, and running the lights from the weekend before thanksgiving to new years that will be a total of 5 weeks or 35 days which in turn would equal (8.25kwhX 35 days = 288.75 kwh) an additional 288.75kwh. With my electricity costing about $0.08 per kwh ($0.08 X 288.75 = $23.10) I figure I will spend an extra $23.10 this year for my new lights. Good thing I only spent $5 for the whole lot.

As for old flames. I am glad it was nice to see him again. It is always interesting to run into those from a former life. Some are good to see, and others are good to not see. As for my wife, she doesn’t mind if I run into old flames… just as long as they don’t talk too much.

Regarding Thanksgiving plans. We have the same problem of commitment. Most likely thought, are lack of planning is what is screwing up your plans. Sorry!!!

The skiing sounds fun. Great family activity. Trying to find a deal on skis, or finding a deal on anything for that matter just runs in the genes (a blessing and a curse from our dear Grandpa A). I think you should just give up on buying the skis. Go for a snow board instead. Something I have wanted to try for years but just haven’t taken the time or gotten up the nerve. I could just see you tearing up the slopes and running circles around your boys, in a HOT PINK snowsuit and white fur hat.

Love those Crew smiles. It has got to be great to relish in those simple victories of finding something that he really enjoys and can develop doing.

Housekeeping/Blogroll

I realized that my blogroll needs to be updated. My sidebar only shows 1/3 of the blogs that I actually read. If I don't have you on my sidebar and you want to be linked up leave me a comment or email me (email addy is on my profile). Same goes for anyone that doesn't want to be linked and already is;)

Force Feeding Icecream

Napping is becoming quite hit-and-miss around here. When Crew gets off the bus he doesn't want to come in the house. Instead, he wants to practice "crewsin" around in his walker. At the end of the culdesac is a little mud puddle. I think he walked through it five or six times and still was not satisfied. I was okay with walking in circles really as my intention was to "wear him out" in hopes of driving him into exhaustion. He still needs a nap.... he just doesn't know it.

My efforts were in vain. He didn't sleep this afternoon and come bedtime he continued to fight it! Carl came home early tonight. I was reading with H and Crew was crying in his bed. Carl layed down with him for about 20 minutes and Crew finally fell asleep.

Not 5 minutes later I remembered that I had not given Crew his seizure meds. I usually give him the Depakoate mixed with yogurt or icecream at about 7 pm but occaisionally (about once every 6 months) I forget. So then we are left with the decision to leave him asleep and just give him his next scheduled dose in the morning or wake him up and give him the meds.

We chose to wake him up:) It really was a funny site... me holding the kid and prying his mouth open with my fingers, Carl with a spoonful of icecream forcing it into his mouth. Who does that?

Random Thoughts and WhatNots

Here are some random thoughts from one who loves random posts:)

1. This year we purchased new Christmas lights. DH is a big advocate of the energy efficient LED lights and so we never buy the cheap bulbs anymore. These new lights are suppose to be 98% more efficient. We were so excited about it! We hung them up and waited until dark to enjoy our Christmas display only to discover the lights aren't really that bright at all. Very dim. Big disappointment. Well duh, of course they're more efficient...

2. Last week I ran into an old boyfriend. Fourteen years ago our relationship ended on good terms. He broke off the relationship after it became clear that my parents had some "major issues" with us getting married. I was heartbroken and so was he but it just wasn't going to work out... It was really neat seeing him again. He just got married about 3 years ago. He is happily married and has an adorable little girl.

3. We still don't know where we're going for Thanksgiving. It doesn't bother me but I think it bothers the extended family. We don't really have the reputation for being big event planners. We kind of just go with the flow. It's probably rude not to make a commitment. What do you think?

4. The boys are all geared up for skiing this year. We found a place that rents the skis for the whole season. You take them home and keep them. Use them as much as you want and return them in April. We decided to take this route for S and H as they are growing so much. DH got all his ski gear new for his birthday. I'm the only one without the gear. I've been bidding for skis on Ebay for weeks but haven't been able to win anything yet. Tightwad!


5. I spent some time with Crew at preschool today. When I arrived he was playing with the Discovery Toys Zip Track Rally. He loves it! I am so excited about it and thrilled that I've finally found something he likes. I think I'll drop a note to Santa.

Saturday is a Special Day...

We've never had a November quite like this one. The weather was beautiful today. After basketball practices for S and H we hung our outdoor Christmas lights. It was so nice out and I really enjoy getting up on the roof. DH and I teamed up and so it didn't take long.

We decided to take advantage of what could be our last warm day this year and the fun autumn leaves. We took the boys to the park and messed around with the camera. DH doesn't usually take photos but he was helping me today. The camera is cheap and I think he realizes how frustrating it can be. Oh well, the photos aren't really so bad cuz my subjects are simply handsome:)

SELF CONTROL

I've never been one to really pass up those yummy treats that I love. I've never been one for diets or detoxing.

Yep, I'm far from the master of self control. One thing I do have going for me is that I'm relatively active. How can you not be when your packing around a 30lb boy all day?

Thanks to M&M I've decided to take her challenge of "Taking Control" and go on a SUGAR FAST from now until Thanksgiving. I'm on day two already and proud to say I haven't touched anything with sugar.

It's only two more weeks! Anybody want to join me???

Keyword Activity

Who ever knew that watching blog stats could be so exciting? I guess that tells you something about my life doesn't it! Hmpfh!

I love watching how you all find my site and seeing readers across the globe. Many of you read my blog everyday yet never comment or reveal yourselves.

Here are some of the google searches that have brought readers my way this past week:

What music do 5 and 6 year olds listen to
Courage does not always roar
A Penny Saved is a Penny Earned
Birth stories at Timp Hospital
got my DAFO
Quadruplets 3 girls one boy
Herrin Twins Mormon
Having 3 boys
No oxygen at birth
his casts
toddler ear dried blood
Dr Rehab

I would love to hear from more of you. Please comment and say Hi:)

H's Baptism

Yesterday H was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He has been anticipating this day for a long time and was so excited. Their were 13 kids baptized and the chapel and overflow section was filled.

H had lots of support from family and friends. After the baptism we were able to move into a separate room for the confirmation. As we were waiting for Carl and H to get dressed into dry clothes I had family members write their thoughts about the day on stationary so H will have something to remember how we all felt on this special occasion. Then he was also confirmed and received the Gift of the Holy Ghost.

Afterwards we all came over to the house for lunch. I love these little family get togethers. Two of my brothers and their families were there, my three sisters and kids, my three SIL's and children and grandparents from both sides. It makes for quite a houseful and I'm not really set up for that many people so I was so grateful that the weather was warm and the kids could go outside.

Last night we took the boys to FARR Icecream where we purchased 5 Quarts of one of our favorites, PLAYDOUGH Icecream. If you've never tried it I come on over I'm sure we have at least 4 quarts left;)