Casper's new haircut

Casper got a new haircut yesterday. The boys' babysitter's husband (his name is Blake) works for a kennel. So we just dropped him off in the morning at their house and picked him up at night there. It was very convenient. Spencer wanted to try a real minature schnauzer cut on him at least once. I have mixed feelings about it. I like being able to see his eyes. His eyebrows and beard are really cute. Since his fur is so short we got a crate for him so he can stay inside during the winter months. Today was the first day and he liked it last night and this morning. I just hope he still likes it when we get home tonight. I still think I like the teddy bear look better where he is the same length all over. What do you think?

Thanksgiving and Christmas Decorating

This year we went to Spencer's Grandma's house for Thanksgiving. Usually their is alot of extended family (aunts, uncles, cousins, etc) but this time it was just Grandma and some of Spencer's family. It was nice because we didn't have to get a hotel room since Grandma's house is pretty small when everyone gets together. She invited some neighbors so it was crowded and hard to find a place to sit and eat at dinner, but that is part of the fun of it. Spencer found us a nice tree. I usually call them our ugly georgetown trees, but this year he did a good job. I tried to keep Austin at Grandma's house most of the time since he is suppose to be taking it easy after his surgery for a couple of weeks, but we did get to go down the canyon on Thanksgiving Day. Here are a couple of pictures from playing in the canyon and putting decorations up after getting home. Austin broke our camera a couple of weeks ago so I hope these pictures from Spencer's phone turn out o.k.

Austin hiding is from the sun in the shade because it hurt his eye.

Tayton loves riding the 4 wheeler and being outside.

Getting ready to decorate the tree.

Santa Dog a.k.a Casper

Austin is excited about decorating the tree!!!

I even helped a little.

Eye Surgery

Austin had eye surgery on Friday. We found out that he doesn't have the retinal disease, Fever, that my sister in law has. We are feeling very relieved. So, the doctor did the muscle correction surgery for his lazy eye. We won't know for 4-6 weeks if it worked, but the doctor thinks the surgery went well. We are thinking positively at this point. I don't think Austin really understood what he was in store for him when we told him he got to have eye surgery because he was really excited about it:

Before

After

We just finished up the pain medication last night and this morning he said that his eye felt good. When you look at his eye it is blood red, gooby, and looks like it hurts. He opened his eyes and was playing with his cousins the night he had the surgery. He is such a tough kid.

When will it end?

We have known since Austin was about 3 that he had symptoms of lazy eye. It is most noticable when he is tired so most people don't notice it. Right now, his right eye is legally blind. What happens is that when he was born with lazy eye his brain saw two images (one from the right and one from the left eye). To make sense of this the brain shuts off one of the eyes so that it is only recieving one image. Since there is blindness and retinal disease on my husbands side of the family I have been watching it pretty close. Beyond patching his eye our local optometrist didn't seem to know much. So, we brought him to SLC to see my sister-in-law's (who has retinal disease) specialist who referred us to a pediatric opthamologist in Primary Childrens Hospital. He, again, had us patch Austin's good eye to try and make the bad eye work. We patched it four hours a day. We went back 6 weeks later to see if it had done any good which it didn't. The doctor said that means he either has retinal disease or we aren't patching his eye correctly (we aren't pacting long enough, he is peeking around the patch too often, etc.). He can see part of the retina which he says doesn't look like he has retinal disease but he won't know for sure unless he goes in surgically. If he does have retinal disease than we could patch his eye all the time and it wouldn't do any good. Since Austin will already be under anthesia for the exploratory surgery the Dr. thinks we should correct his lazy eye at the same time. After surgery, if he doesn't have retinal disease and if we caught it early enough his brain will hopefully notice that his bad eye is look forward and begin to start working with his other eye. Even though it makes my stomach turn to think about his eye being cut open, I know that it is the right thing to do. Luckily we were just approved for Medicaid so hopefully that will help us pay for it since our primary insurance will only pay 50%.

Spencer came home from the school the other night and I thought he was having an anxiety attack. He was pacing around, couldn't sit still, kept forgetting what he was doing or saying. It was a little scary. He went into the Councelors Center on campus and was diagnosed with ADD. He has had symptoms of it for a long time so we weren't suprised. I joked with him and told him that I knew there was something wrong with him. He responded saying that is just what he needed to hear from his wife. He started taking medication for it yesterday which is a generic form of Ritalin. He has already noticed a difference. He took a couple of tests yesterday where he said normally he would have gotten frusterated and gave up, but he was able to remain focused and finish every problem. It took him longer to take his Calculus test and he wasn't able to finish he Physics test before the Testing Center closed. His teacher said that he will let him finish, but will take some points off for it being late. That is better than nothing. Right?!

These things often happen in threes so I'm waiting for the 3rd one to hit.

First Day of School

Today was a confusing and stressful day. I didn't think it would be, but it was. Austin was placed in afternoon kindergarten. Since Tate and he are at the babysitter's during the day I arranged the bus to pick him up and drop him off at the babysitters. I wanted to go with him on his first day, but I also wanted him to get use to riding the bus. So, after talking to Mom, I decided to meet the bus at the babysitters and then follow the bus to the school. He was suppose to be the last pick-up, but I ended up following the bus for an hour. I don't think they know what they are doing because we covered almost every road in Archer and a few multiple times...where they would flip a u-turn. A little while in I noticed they were dropping off kids from the morning kindergarten and picking up for the afternoon. That would get confusing. Two buses met in the Stake Center parking lot for a little while and then the bus stopped in the middle of the road for about 15 minutes doing nothing. I was just about to get out and ask "Are we going to school today?". His class was suppose to start at 11:40 a.m. and we didn't get to the school until 12:15. I was a little frusterated since Austin was late for school and I was late getting back to work (since I was using my lunch break). But when we finally got to the school it was good because Austin had made a couple of friends on the bus and the teachers were waiting for them and told the group of them that they were having a hawaiian party and gave all the kids a lei. The teachers were wearing hula skirts over their pants. It was pretty cute. So I walked with all the kids and Austin's teacher to his class. The teachers separated the kids into the right classes and Austin started walking in his class. I asked him "Where's my hug?". So he came back and sort of leaned his head on me and looked at me like "What are you doing here...there's no other moms here?". So I left feeling like I shouldn't have gone. But then the after school drama hit. I didn't find this out until after I picked up the kids at the babysitters. She told me that they think Austin got on the wrong bus. When he didn't get off the bus with the rest of the kids she started calling the district bus office and said that she had a missing child. They radioed around and he was dropped off at her house about a half hour later. Also, he left his backpack on the bus. I wouldn't be worried about that except that I put his glasses in the front pocket this morning. Now I'm thinking I should have stayed at the school with him. Don't they keep track of these kindergarteners and show them where they need to go? I have my doubts after today.

We rode bikes tonight (both kinds)

Austin is riding his bike without training wheels!!! Yea!!!

The boys on the motorbike. Aren't they cute in their helmets?

Austin Turns 5

Austin turned 5 this week. Spencer and I took the day off work to get ready for his party that night and to spend the day with him. Spencer worked on the yard in the morning which gave me time to play with the boys. He didn't get back from the dump until about 2:30 and I hadn't shopped for some of the ingredients I needed for the food I was planning to make. So I was on the run from then until the party started. We had Sloppy Joes, Potato Salad, Pistastio Salad, Garden Salad (thank you Evva Deen), chips, and pop. We got him an ice cream cake from Diary Queen that I failed to get a picture of. Dang! Spencer got some of those balloons that you can twist into animals and made hats for all the kids. We did this a couple of years ago for his birthday and it was a hit. It was too hot in the house so we ate, opened presents, and talked and played outside for most of the party. I was exhausted by the end of the day and poor Tayton was ignored a little bit, and I did get a picture of that. He even fed himself ice cream cake and sat on it.

I can't believe it has been 5 years since Austin was born. He is such a good boys (most of the time). He is a kind of a momma's boy and I love it.

Clumsy Me

I have never sprained my ankle or broken a bone. At my nephews birthday party last week I stepped off the curb wrong and thought that I had only twisted my ankle. It hurt really bad, but that night it didn't swell. So, I didn't put ice on it, but the next night it really swelled up. I should have taken pictures of it for your sympathy. I took it easy for a few days and iced/elevated it at night. I think I did sprain it afterall. By Sunday the swelling was gone. It has now been more than a week and most of the time it feels fine but every once in a while when I squat to do something or turn weird on it, it will start to hurt a little again. I wonder how long it will take for it to feel normal again. My husband thinks I have been a wimp about it. Oh well.

Casper

Last Saturday we were in Idaho Falls and we stopped by Sportsmans Wearhouse. There was a lady there selling Miniature Schnauzer puppies. She had white, black, and salt and pepper colored puppies. We decided that we didn't want to spend that much on a dog, so we didn't buy it, but that whole weekend I couldn't get my mind off that white puppy and regretting our (my) decision to not get it. So, Monday morning I went online and found an ad in the IF newspaper that was selling Miniature Schnauzers for the same price. I called on it and it was the same lady that was at Sportsmans Wearhouse. It was amazing it was that easy to reach her. I arranged a meeting place and brought the puppy home, suprizing Spencer and the boys. He has been a really good puppy so far and is potty training fairly easy. He is a really smart dog and likes to be wherever we are. Right now we have him barracaded on the deck (where he has shade during the day). Austin chose the name "Casper" and we thought it fit him well so that is what we have been calling him. Both boys have been really enjoying the dog, and Spencer hasn't been able to stop smiling all week. In Miniature Schnauzer history they used to kill the white ones because they thought that they were albino since they are born white with pink eyes, but their eyes darken in a couple of weeks. Casper is 10 weeks old.

Morgan Mae

We have a new neice that was born last Saturday. We have been so busy with the move, work, easter, family visits, etc. that we hadn't been to see her until last night. She is Adam's (Spencer's brother) 3rd child and very cute with long fingers and toes. The funny story is that they thought that they were going to have a girl when they were pregnant for their 1st baby. But "Suprise" baby Ethan arrived and then baby Griffin. It seems like my sister in law has just been waiting for her girl. She was given all this girl stuff for her baby shower when she was pregnant with Ethan. Now she can't stop smiling. We brought them this really cute summer dress and some onesies. We also brought a Papa Murphy's Pizza and some pop for an easy meal. Hopefully they will forgive us one day for being so late to see their little girl.

The Big Move

So, we finally closed on the home we have been working on buying. It is only about 1 mile from the place we are renting now. The plans are to fix up the older house and rent it out or maybe do a swap where someone could live there rent free in exchange for daycare. Austin will be going into Kindergarden next year so he will only need to be watched 1/2 the day and Tayton all day. We don't know how it will pan out yet, but here are a few pictures. We stayed our first night there on Monday. It is so nice to have the extra space. My inlaws have been helping a lot by bringing over dinner and helping us move. Grandma W. even came over and watched the boys by keeping them in their room. That was a huge help. We unpacked a bunch of books and toys that they hadn't seen in months so it was like Christmas.

Summer of Fun

This is going to be a fun summer for us. Spencer and I are going on a cruise to Mexico with my family May 10-17th, and then we (Austin and Tate too) are going to Lake Powell the first week in June with Spencer's Family. I don't think I will have enough vacation time so some will have to be without pay, but that is o.k. because we need to get out of town bad. I feel like I have been cooped up here for too long. I started going tanning 2 weeks ago to build up a good base tan and have been able to go twice. I got burnt both times. I don't know if my skin has changed since I was younger, but I used to only burn once and then tan. Maybe it is in shock since it hasn't seen the sun much lately. I hope that it doesn't mean that I am a good candidate for skin cancer, I don't know of much family history of it though. I hope that it will help because I haven't fake baked much.

Pay It Forward...

the rules:
1. Be on of the first three to leave a comment on this post, which then entitles you to a handmade item from me.
2. Winners, you must post this challenge on your blog, meaning that you will Pay It Forward creating a handmade gift for the first 3 bloggers who leave a comment on YOUR post about this giveaway.
3. The gift that you send to your three friends can be from any price range and you have 365 days to make/ship you item. And, remember: It's the spirit and the thought that count.

Taytons 1st Birthday

Tayton's was born on leap day last year so this year we had to decide when we wanted to celebrate it. Well...we actually celebrated it all weekend (as best we could), but the actual party was on March 1st. We all got the flu (Tayton had it Thursday, Spencer got it Saturday, and Austin and I got it on Monday), but Sunday we were all feeling pretty good. So, we couldn't not have a party for him so we continued with the festivities.

I sent out a text message on my phone to let everyone know when and where. Thankfully DeeAnn my sister in law let us have the party at her house since my in laws are down south and there is no way everyone would fit in the place we are renting right now. The theme was Spiderman and we had a pretty good turnout considering the late notice we gave everyone. It wasn't anything extravagant just cake and opening presents. Watching Tate eat his cake was definitely the highlight. He was a little hesitant at first, but then Austin showed him how it was done and he really dug in. Here are a few pictures from the evening (sorry they are a little out of order).

Almost one year

Tayton was born Feb. 29th, leap day, last year. A lot of people have been asking me when we plan on celebrating it on non-leap years. This year Saturday is Mar. 1st and works the best for a party. So we will probably just continue the tradition and celebrate it on Mar. 1st every year except every 4 years when we have a Feb. 29th. His top 2 teeth came in a couple of weeks ago and I can tell you they are very sharp from personal experience, but they are cute don't you think?!! He is a very busy boy. Spencer left for a business trip to Nebraska today so it was me by myself to take care of both boys during church today. We didn't make it to sacrament meeting, but I felt like I got my exercise for the day taking care of him during relief society. We were suppose to talk in church next week, but Spencer won't be able to so they extended my time by 5 minutes...lucky me :)

Go Go Go

There is always something to do everynight it seems. Austin asked the question yesterday, "Why to we always have to go go go...can't we just go home?" I don't blame him. I am more of a home body myself but there is always so much to do. Monday was my newphews birthday, Tuesday was gymnastics, Wednesday was Lost Night at Ashleys...and on and on. Spencer is gone to Nebraska, but was suppose to come home last night. His flight couldn't land in IF because of the fog so he was redirected to Boseman, MT. A week before that he was in Lithuania for 2 weeks. I feel like a single mom must feel. I have to work today so thank goodness DeeAnn was here to watch the boys until Spencer arrives. We are living in a trailer in the Archer area right now. The original plans were to sell our other house and live off the equity while Spencer went back to school, but we found this steal of a deal out here in Archer. It is a manufactured home (where we would live) and an old house (that we would rent out). The old house needs some renovations before we can rent it out. Since we have been renting we have been saving up to fix it up. The manufactured home is almost twice the size of our other house and we are excited for the space. We have been approved, but we are still working on the paperwork. Spencer has been accepted at BYUI but we are still waiting to see what track they will put him on. Cross your fingers for Fall/Winter since he will be majoring in Mechanical Engineering and that is when most of his classes are offered.