Everything and Stuff

This weekend (the  24th) Danny and I celebrated our 10 year anniversary (woohoo!!). We went to Mesquite and we saw "Lone Survivor", then after we went to dinner at The Panda Garden. Our waiter was terrible!! We went birthday shopping for Alex, then came home.
We've all been battling a terrible chest/sinus cold thingy... We've all had such terrible coughs!! It has not been fun! My nephew was diagnosed with influenza recently. It terrifies me! I do NOT want any of my kids to come down with it, but I'm super worried about Elyse, since she is only 10 months old. I HATE illness!!! I'd like to just keep my children in a plastic bubble this time of year. I know keeping them from all illness would do nothing for their immune systems, but it's frustrating for me!
Lice is going around the Elementary school. I got a letter stating that somebody in Alex's class had lice. They checked all the kids and said that they should continue to be checked for the next two weeks.  I'm not cool with lice.. If one kid gets it, it's a matter of time before the entire family and or school gets it. It's disgusting!! (no, Alex does not have it.)
Soon, our family "Birthday Season" will be in full force! You know how there's a holiday season that consists of Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years? Well, we have "Birthday Season" it start's with Alex- on Feb. 1. then Cam- Feb. 27, then Elyse- March 13, then last but not least, Jonny- April 11. We really did try to spread them out, but it didn't end up that way. We are happy that we have all our little munchkins, even if their birthdays are super close to each other!! It gets expensive, being  a couple months after Christmas, but it's cool!
For today- we are ditching church.. We all still have coughs and runny noses. I think that the "sickness" part is over with, but our coughs and constant nose blowing is quite annoying!
Life has been pretty uneventful. Doing the day to day thing. Life is good!! I can't complain too much!

Happy New Year!!

2013 has brought us so much!! Our last baby, and first daughter was born. Pregnancy with her was interesting... Kidney stones, blood thinner shots, Rogham shots (with every pregnancy.), gestational diabetes... It was fun!! Ending up in the hospital when she was seven weeks old for a nasty bladder infection!! We found out she had VUR. I'm so over it... And, I swear. Everything that goes around, she catches!! All my kids do. It gets frustrating. I'm sick of having sick kids! Back to the good- Like I said. Sweet Elyse was born. Alex finished kindergarten and started the first grade. We are so lucky that both teachers were/are amazing!! Cam started preschool. He LOVES Mrs. Myrna and the "white" teacher (referring to her blonde hair). Jonathon refuses to nap in his room, so Elyse does. I pretty much let him sleep where he lays down for naps, I know I'm horrible. Jonathon is Mommy's good little helper! Elyse thinks she rules the house. She is little Queeny in the making! It doesn't help that she is completely spoiled! Danny got a promotion at work (forever ago) and is the Kiln assistant. I still don't know exactly what that entails, but he assists the kiln! LOL! Though he loves  his schedule, it's not my favorite.. He works four days, then three off. Work three days, then two off. Work three days, then three off. Work four days, then seven off. He gets two weekends off a month. It feels like I NEVER see him on his work days. As for me. I try my hardest to keep this house somewhat livable. My kids are slobs. It's hard when they are so young. Alex gets tired of doing everything. Cam is A.D.D. like his mother. He gets side tracked very easily. Jonathon will put something away, just to pick it up three seconds later to play with it. I'm convinced that he likes everything out where he can see it. Elyse is a baby, clean is not in her vocabulary. I'm sure my hubby gets tired of coming home to toys everywhere. I'm tired of it, too. I have tried to train my kids to keep their toys in their rooms. I have failed. I have not made any stupid resolutions this year. I never stick to them EVER! I just hope that I can become the person/mother/wife I strive to be. Although, I do hope that I can sleep train Elyse. She has been so spoiled up to this point. Hearing her or any of my babies cry, makes me nervous. When they get big, it doesn't bother me, but infants!! I can't stand it. She sleeps in Danny's and my room. It's the only place available, unless we put her in Jonny's room. Then they'd both cry all night. I want her sleeping better before I move her, but it's hard to let her cry when she's right next to your bed! I've sadly contemplated moving her crib into my closet, just so I wouldn't have to hear her cry. My mommy guilt kicks in and I pick her up. I know it only takes a couple days of crying before they just stop, but it's hard for me. I have visions of my babies dying. It'll happen. I will sleep all night again! I'm so thankful for everything that I have.  I am very lucky! I'm looking forward to, hopefully, an amazing year this year.

We Need a Little Christmas!!

Okay, so I've had a really hard time getting into the Christmas spirit, this year. I have no reason to not be excited! Danny worked his tail off so we'd have enough money to buy presents. But, still. I've not really "felt" it this year. I really want Christmas to be about Jesus' birthday, not about presents. I'm trying to teach the kids that it's not all about Santa, reindeer, and presents. I told them that if it weren't for the birth of Jesus, there would be no reason to celebrate. There'd be no Santa or presents. I guess it frustrates me. I do get it, though. When I was little it was all about presents, and who got what, and more, ect.. I love the imagination of little kids. I wish I could go back to the time when I believed in Santa, leprechauns, the Tooth Fairy, Easter Bunny, and so on. I love to see the excitement in their eyes. Especially on Christmas morning when they see all the presents for the first time. It does bring joy to my heart, but it's just so much. I know there will be a time when they get the true meaning of Christmas, and that it's not because of Santa and presents. Christmas is just such a selfish holiday. it's all about the "I wants". I get a list of "I want" all year round. I want this, I want that. Mom, can I get that for Christmas? I know it'll possibly be this way their entire lives. The truth is, is we already have so much. So much to be thankful for. It seems like that is never enough. We cant be thankful for the toys we have,. The toy that have been sitting in the bottom of our toy box's for the past year. We don't care that we've lost interest in them. We want more, because it's never enough. I'm not wanting to be a "lame" mom who doesn't get her kids presents to teach them a lesson. I just don't want to give them everything they want. I do want them to learn. I do want them to be humble, and thankful. Someday they will see, I'm sure. There's more to life than presents.

Halloween (and everything leading up to it)

My sick baby girl :(

Not the best pic,but the best one I had..

Alex at the pumpkin patch. I think that's his friend Jacob?

Elyse's first Halloween

First, the entire first grade class got to walk to the pumpkin patch last week on one of the days they actually had school (they only had shcool Monday and Wednesday). On Tuesday I had a parent teacher conference with Mrs. Barlow, Alex's teacher. She told me how much she loved Alex and how she thinks he's the greatest! She told nme how smart he was and how she felt that he was going to grow up to be some kind of prodigy and she'd be so proud because she taught him in the first grade. He is a very smart boy!! He loves Mrs. Barlow and I'm so happy she loves him, too. I always get nervous, because I never know how people are going to react to Alex. He has SO much energy!!

On Wednesday they went to the pumpkin patch. Alex brought home an awesome pumpkin!

Friday was the annual Bradford Halloween party. Elyse had woken up not feeling so well. Me, being an awesome mommy figured it was teething :/   . She was super fussy, needy, slightly boogery, diarrhea. I just didn't think a whole lot of it. Go me!! We went to the Halloween party. I was dressed as a witch. Cam and Alex zombies. Jonathon a monkey (the same one Cam has been the past two years) and Elyse was my little black cat. We had Jumbalaya, which is one of my favorites! Lots of treets, which is always amazing, and the kids got to play with cousins and friends. We went home Elyse hardly slept. Woke me up often.  Saturday, she was the same. Super fussy. We all stayed home and lounged around the house all day. Sunday, Elyse was still pretty fussy. We all went to church and Danny came home after sacrament meeting with Elyse and Jonathon so they could take a nap. Elyse slept, Jonathon did not!  When Danny picked Alex, Cam and I up from church I noticed Elyse was running a fever. I took her temp and it was 100.1. Being very low, I didn't think anything about it. I noticed that I couldn't see any teeth under her gums trying to poke through. Ive had three different kids teeth. I know all kids are different, but none of them ever ran a fever before the teeth were just about to poke through. Ruling out teething, I just thought she had a mild infection her body was trying to fight off. We go to Grandma and Papa Bradford's house for dinner. Elyse, still cranky and slightly feverish. We go home, I give her motrin becuase fevers spike at night and I put her to bed. She again didn't sleep much. Monday came. After having so many days off of school and Elyse not sleeping, I had a hard time waking up! I got Alex off to school, the bus was 10 min early, so we'd made it just in time. I did laundry all day, while Elyse slept most of the day. Her fever was gone all day, but came back after I put her to bed. The same thing Tues. I had a refill on one of her antibiotics, so I decided to start giving that to her on Wednesday, because when she'd woken up her fever was back. The last time she had a fever for three days, we ended up in the hospital for an entire week! It was horrible. Thursday, Halloween. I got Alex ready for school. Putting his Halloween costume in his back pack and sending him off to school. It was the first day Elyse woke up with out a fever. I noticed a bit of a rash on her forehead. It wasn't a rash i'd ever seen before, but wasn't super worried. I figured it could be a fever rash. She had a blow out later in the afternoon, so I stripped her down and noticed that the rash was on her back, too. I texted my mom the pic, and she said "that looks like strep.". I of course felt horrible. It totally explains her behavior in the past week. Cam went to his preschool Halloween party. When I picked him and Christopher up they told me it was the best day EVER! They had capri suns instead of water to drink, with lots of treats! They were so cute! Doodles, Elyse, Jonny, and I came home. ELyse went to sleep, Cam and Jonny played outside while I cleaned the house. Alex got home from school. I threatened the kids that if they made a mess in my freshly cleaned house, there would be NO trick or treating. Needless to say, they kept the house clean! While I was sweeping my always dirty, no hope that they'll stay clean for longer than five minute floors, I saw a penny on the floor. Don't have any idea why, but this inspired me that we should go visit Aunt Alene. Completely out of the blue thought. I texted mom, Lara, and Nadja that I was going to take my kids over to see her and that they should come, too. She LOVES when we bring our kids over to her house. We have A LOT of kids between just the three of us! My four, Lara's five, Nadja's three. It's a lot of kids. Brenda got our pics, the kids got candy and then we left to meet Danny at his Parent's house to start the trick or treeting extravaganza! We did that neighborhood then wen't to Collette's neighborhood, because we wanted a coke, lol. We got home about 8:00. Danny went to bed, Elyse took her medicine then went to bed. Jonathon fell asleep in the car, so I put him in his bed. Alex and Cam played for a llittle while, then they too, wen't to bed. I watched "The Conjuring" by myself. Not the smartest move. It was just as scary the sceond time. Elyse has scarletina. A form of scarlet fever, go me!! She is on her third day of antibiotics, because I had some in the pharmacy, so I started giving them to her.  My kids are eating their Halloween candy and all is good in the world again! 

Unce Lynn

Two weeks ago, on Saturday, our sweet Uncle Lynn made his way up to heaven. When Grandpa Bowler passed away, Uncle Lynn took over the roll as Grandpa. My kids call him Grandpa Uncle Lynn and Alene, Grandma Aunt Alene. As of my last post, he was in the hospital. He was there for three weeks then just a couple days before he passed on he was moved to Nathan Addleson Hospice, a hospice facility to care for terminally ill patients. They basically just keep them comfortable until they pass away. I did not get to visit him before he passed. The day my mom and sister went, Danny said he had to work. Though it saddend me, I wasn't dragging four kids to a hospital. I was so bummed, because my mom called while they were on their way, and Danny said he had to work, so I dropped it. 20 minutes later I go into our bedroom to put Elyse down for her nap and Danny was like "(sigh), when are they going?" they were already long gone, so I could've gone after all, but I didn't want to drive in by myself. I wish I could've seen him before he was gone, but I'll just have to wait longer. 

The morning I heard of his passing, tho I knew it was going to be soon, still broke my heart. He'd passed away late Saturday night, so my mom just sent out a text because she didn't want to wake us up. I woke up the Sunday morning my kids had their primary program, and saw I had a text message. Once I read it, tears started flowing down my cheeks. I cried and cried. I didn't want to upset the boys, so I tried to keep it under wraps, tho I was unsuccessful. I told them that Grandpa Uncle Lynn had died and was in heaven now with Heavenly Father and all of the angels. They were just like "ok?". The kids have never had anybody die who's really close to them before, so they don't entirely get it. They get that his spirit left his body, and his body is burried, but they don't understand why that is sad. I guess, in a way, it's not. He is no longer suffering or in pain, but we'll miss him so much. So, after crying what felt like forever! I decided it was now time to get ready for church, though it was still about four hours away, getting four children, and husband, and myself ready ready for church takes me all day! I don't know what I'll do when we change to 9:00 a.m. this winter. I'll have to wake up at 5:00, lol! We invited both Grandma and Grandpa Bradford and Grandma Markosek to watch the kids NOT sing. I told Alex he was sitting next to the president of the church (Bishop) so he had to be extra good. And he was. Cam went up there and was almost there though the entire program. He got scared and came down just before the last song. I was proud of them. They did good, even though they didn't want to sing. We had a bit over a week before the funeral. The funeral was the best I've evewr been to. It wasn't sad at all, which I loved! The speakers were all AMAZING!! All their stories had me laughing so hard! First Fara, his daughter, (my cousin) spoke. She did so well! Then Ezekiel "Zek". I don't think I've ever met him before, but he was my favorite. I don't know what it was about him, but he stuck out to me. He was so funny!! He was talking about how he'd been called as Bishop two or three times then he decided he was going to grow out his hair and start drinking coke so they wouldn't call him anymore, lol! He just made me laugh with his stories. Somewhat elaborate stories. He said he lived in Lynn and Alene's basement and there was only one lightbulb with water seeping in through the walls. This made me laugh. Then Dr. Moses followed by Batch. They were all such fun/good speakers. The graveside service was very sweet. They did a military tribute (they'd done one during the funeral, too) because Lynn was a verteran. A few of his indian family sang a warrior song and a happy song? I think that's what she said they were... After the graveside service it was back to the church where I completely stuffed myself! Gotta love luncheons :) 

I sure will miss Uncle Lynn. I really feel so bad that I didn't visit him more often. In the next life, I'll drive him nuts with my visits, because I cant fix it now!  I would go to his house every few months. Not enough when they lived so close! He is my favorite ;) Every time we went over, my kids would climb on top Alene and Lynn. GIve them hugs, eat all their food, play with all their dog toys, because they have dogs, not young children. Climb in and out of their doggy door. Follow Terry around the house, because he's usually walking around getting ready for work. And Lynn would always offer to by the kids ice cream at Inside Scoop, but usually when it was time for us to go, it was because my kids were tired and ready for a nap. The last time we were over, tho, we got to go to the Scoop. It was a lot of fun! 

I remember when mom broke her leg. She was talking about how she wanted to go visit Lynn and Alene, but she was unable to drive and she couldn't climb the stairs to get into their house. So, I messaged Alene on facebook asking her if she and Lynn could come outside for a couple hours, until it got hot, so mom could visit. She said they could, so we went over there bright and early on an Aug. morning. Cam who was a year and a half, and Alex who was three and a half had a blast running in the yard. We stayed until it got hot, then we left. It was so fun for the kids and the adults to get out of the house even though it as only on the front lawn. It was fun though! 

When I was younger I'd occasionally clean their basement because they were unable to walk up and down the stairs. I wasn't allowed to throw anything away, though, lol. I will always remember and cherish our visits. I'll continue to visit Aunt Alene until she is reunited with her husband.   

Not Much Going On

The other day was back to school night. Danny was able to go with me this year, which was nice! We went to Alex's class room and sat at his desk. Mrs. Barlow gave her little speech about what they've been doing so far this year. When she was done she talked to all the parents who were in the classroom at the time, about their children, individually. She came to Danny and I and was talking about how Alex was well behaved, really smart, and how he was a hoot! She said one day she was talking to the class when Alex got up to get a drink of water. She informed him that we don't get up to get a drink of water when the teacher is talking and what he said, made me laugh..."but, we do if we're thirsty." Is what he said. She said she had to try not to laugh. She's never seen such a logical six year old. Alex is very logical. It can drive me crazy sometimes. She enjoys having him in her classroom. That's important. He loves her so much, too.

On Sunday I told the kids we were going to church and what Alex said was classical! What he said was, "mom, did you know we were Americans?" I simply replied, "yes, why?" Alex then says,"did you know that since we are Americans we can choose if we want to go to church or not?" I of course rolled my eyes and told him that he had to go to church "because I said so" and he replied, "but, we're Americans!" It made my day and completely made me laugh my butt off!  The things he comes up with! 

Cam started preschool last week. His first day was rough... He told me he cried and whined the whole time. When I asked why he said " they were rude.". I don't know why he thought that, but I told him to not play with the "rude" kids next time. His second day was much better! Tomorrow is his third day. Hopefully it goes smoothly. He goes with his cousin/BFF Kissy (Christopher). I can't believe I'll have two kids in school next year! 

We've all been fighting a cold/cough for the last two weeks. All of us "older ones" have seemed to be getting over it, but Jonny and Elyse. Jonathon has had a really stinky smell coming out of his nose. It smelled like an extremely stinky, wet dog. He reeked! I take the babies to the dr. Elyse is just having a hard time getting over her crud. Jonathon had something stuck up his nose. I had no Idea... All I knew was that he smelled so bad. Dr. Mendoza told me he'd try to pull what ever was in his nose out, but if he couldn't we'd have to go to the ENT. So, they strap Jonny to a board, not before Mendoza called all the medical students he's mentoring in to "come smell this little boy and watch me pull something out of his nose". So, there was three students, Dr. Mendoza, me, and a nurse. All in a small exam room. I looked away as Mendoza dug in Johnny's nose with some tweezers. With in a few seconds he said " I got it!". "It" was a dime sized piece of sponge!! It was lodged up in his nose for probably two weeks.. So, they asked me if I wanted to keep so said sponge, and I said "that's disgusting.. No thank you" and it was done. He has a pretty severe sinus infection, due to the sponge, so he has to be on antibiotics. Of course Lin's pharmacy did not have the antibiotic he needs and had to order it. It makes me nervous knowing how bad his infection is, knowing he's without medicine until tomorrow afternoon, but there's nothing I can do.

Last but definitely not least. Uncle Lynn was life flighted into the hospital two Friday's ago.He had sepsis caused by his gal bladder. That Saturday my mom got a call from my cousin Fara saying that he'd taken a turn for the worst and wasn't expected to make it through the night. So, Lara, my mom, and I went to Vegas to say goodbye. He was in the icu and it was after visiting hours, so Lara and I didn't get to see him. They were only allowing people in one at a time, and by the time his siblings and children got to see him he was very unstable. I was bummed I didn't get to see him but so happy I was able to go to the hospital to see a lot of my family that I very rarely see. As far as uncle Lynn's health. He's still in the icu. He's off the ventilator, but is still very critical. He had a heart attack that Saturday, which was why he was moved to the icu. They are unable to move the infected gal bladder due to his poor health. He's in a lot of pain and they aren't 100% sure why. It makes me sad. Uncle Lynn is an amazing man! Hopefully there will be some resolution to all his "health issues" soon. I hate to see anybody I love and care about suffer so much. That, as of now, is life, my friends!

The First Day of School is The Best Day of School (unless it was a bad day..)

Yesterday was Alex's first day of school. It started off a little rough.. I got Alex on the bus. First thing, was, I was told by the school his stop was at Lyman/ Mesa View, which is literally right outside my door. The bus driver told me it was not, but was down the street. Though inconvenient for me, because I don't feel comfortable with sending Alex off to the bus stop by himself, I said ok. I could use a little bit of exercise first thing in the morning. I did not get a single picture of Alex, or Alex getting onto the bus. We load up the kids in the car and head off to the school. The bus beat us there and as we were walking I heard the first bell wring. Afraid I wasn't going to make it in time to see him and get a picture of him lining up for the first time, I start walking really fast!! I start looking for his orange shirt, but cant see it. I see his teacher and class all lined up and he wasn't there! I start panicking just a bit,"where could he be?!". I then spot him standing by himself, by the drinking fountain. His lip was quivering and I could see him fighting back his tears! It broke my heart! I called him to me and gave him a big hug and apologized for not being there. I started taking him to his teacher and the "helper" came and was dumb. I told her he was in Mrs. Barlow's class and she was like "There's no Zachary on this list." I was like "There wouldn't be because his name is Henry..." She was like, "Oh! I thought he said his name was Zachary and he wouldn't tell me his last name.". So, she kept talking and Mrs. Barlow started taking her class back, probably being rude, I left the "helper" lady to stop Mrs. Barlow so I could introduce her to Alex. I didn't want him to feel any more scared or lost! I think he growled at Mrs. Barlow, which is a normal "Alex reaction" to meeting new people. He's quite shy in someways, and super outgoing in others. I left him feeling terrible! Then we go to leave and Cam is missing! I start looking for his blue monkey shirt in the play yard, and he's not there. I then see him crying in a crowd of women. One of them knowing who he was, was pointing him to me. I go get him, then we leave. We head home and I'm so worried that his day is just going to get worse. When his bus came in the afternoon, he doesn't jump off right away, it was like a minute and I almost was at the door when he finally popped off. His bus driver, was like,"does he get off here?" I told him "yes, he does". I almost had a heart attack thinking he'd missed his bus, or gotten onto the wrong one when he didn't get off right away. He was all smiles and covered in paint! He said his day was "AWESOME!" ! I cleaned out his back pack and opened his lunch to see that all he ate was his cheese stick!! The ONLY thing he ate! So, he ate his lunch when he got home. He was a hungry boy... He got to borrow two books from the school library, which he thought was the best! We wen't to Grandma Trudy's and Papa Henry's for dinner, came home and then the kids went to bed. I'm so glad his first day is over and done with! It started rough, but ended great! Now, I'm ready for Cam to start preschool! He and Alex are really good buddies, so Cam drove me nuts most of the day! He's completely lost without his Alex! It'll be good for him to go to "school", though he told me school is "lame". He'll love it, though! There you have it! Alex's first day and Cam's first day without Alex, and my first day with a big, all day school goer (is that even a word??), first grader!