Flour Power

So, Landen and I decided to make some sugar cookies the other day, and I made the stupid mistake of leaving the bag of flour out while I was painting in Abrie's room. Landen came in and shut the door for me (what a sweet boy), and I should have known something was going on by the amount of squealing and laughing that was going on in the kitchen, but seriously I was just trying to finish the baseboards. It was only a 5 minute project for crying out loud! Well, this is what can happen in 15 minutes. Apparently Landen was throwing flour at BJ, which BJ was trying to lick up at first, but then he started running outside to get away from him. I even heard Landen climb the chair and bang on the window to try and get BJ to come back in. Anyway, this is what I found:

Here's Landen helping me frost the cookies (he'd put a dab on the cookie, then put a spoonful in his mouth...very helpful ;)

See the cute little Landen and BJ prints?

This is the pile of flour I swept up (sorry it's hard to see with my light floors)

Some of the damage

The innocent flour covered face (sorry couldn't get the picture to rotate)

The 2 accomplices. I love that they're both hanging their heads in shame ;)



As I was trying to clean all this up, my visiting teachers stopped by for a surprise visit...they got a good kick out of my flour covered house and child. Glad I could brighten someones day ;)

Life...

Feast or famine, that about describes the cycle of our life right now. We just found out a couple of days ago that we have too much debt to income ratio (thank you student loans) to refinance our house right now. We've given the VA documents signed by Brian's commanding officer how much money he's going to be making once he graduates to prove MORE money will be there, but they just want to wait until May/June before proceeding. Not that I really blame them with this economy! But, we're were really kind of counting on having a lower monthly payment and not having to make a payment in March. Also, I haven't been getting ANY hours at work! I seriously have not worked since February 3rd. Granted I only work 1 night a week, but it has been extra income we've been counting on. Finally, we no longer qualify for GI Bill benefits because Brian has maxed out on them (good thing he's graduating), so there's money lost, and we're finally going to have to start paying on the VA loan that we took out to do some work on the house in 2009. It's all just a little overwhelming! Too much all at the same time!

But, I keep thinking, what could I be doing more? Can I really expect to be blessed when I'm not doing everything I can to show my Heavenly Father that I am deserving of such blessings? I know this kind of stuff happens to good people ALL the time, but at the same time, it's good to be reminded that I need to be making more of an effort in my spiritual wellness and not focusing so much on the temporal things. I am extremely blessed and need to remind myself of this when I start internally pointing fingers and having my pitty parties! Why am I blogging this? It makes me feel better to get it out I guess. I know that this too will pass, and we will learn from it and make better choices in the future, but I am truly grateful for the reminder of what it is I really need to be focusing on!

Who needs church?

I do!!! I haven't been to church AT ALL this month. The first weekend we were down in Utah for my sister's wedding, and just didn't make it. Since then we've all been sick! Today my throat feels like crap and I can't talk more than a whisper...going to the doctor tomorrow. Also, it's the second week in a row I haven't been able to give my talk! I tried to get them to find someone else on Friday since I haven't had a voice since Tuesday, but apparently they just kept me on the program. My 2nd counselor texted me this morning to see if I was going to make it (yes, he texted me ;)...I tried to warn them, I just don't understand!!! I should have just told them NO, but I REALLY was hoping to feel better by then. This 2 weeks of sickness is killing all of us! We have major cabin fever, and still having a pile of snow in my yard doesn't help either. Just have to keep telling myself that it's our last winter in Rexburg...it works for a minute! Anyway, I'm really hoping to make it to church next week!!

And I thought I should complain!

So we decided to take Landen to the E.R. last night because we weren't sure his doctor's office would be open today, his fever had come back, and he was having a harder time breathing. The results: LEFT EAR INFECTION, TONSILLITIS, BRONCHITIS AND BEGINNING OF PNEUMONIA. Please ignore my previous post of whining!!!

Oh the pain...

I hurt! And it's not from being pregnant! Dear, sweet Landen decided to share his germs with me and we've both been sick for the last week. It started as just a fever with no other symptoms, then the drainage began and decided to dwell in my chest! What can I take? My inhalers (thank goodness for them), and Robitussin DM (might as well just drink water!!!!). But, that's more than Landen can take! Just when we think he's getting better for a couple days, he decides to get a low fever again...make up your mind kid!!!! So, now we're stuck with the dilemma of taking him to the hospital or wait until Tuesday until the doctor's office opens up again (actually we're kinda hoping it's open tomorrow). Oh, and why do I hurt? Well last night I decided to cough for 3 hours straight trying to get the crap out of my chest...finally did, but now my sides and back hurt and I must have pulled something on the left side of my body because I seriously felt like I was having a heart attack! I had pain behind my left shoulder blade up to the left side of my neck and jaw, and even on my collar bones! Oh, but don't worry, I can take Tylenol (yes, I'm a little grumpy because I've only slept for and hour since yesterday morning because Brian worked last night too). Oh, and I'm crappy and didn't give my talk in church today. I've had it done for a couple of days, so I felt really bad about leaving Brian with all the time to fill, but it worked out. I'm sure they'll have me give it eventually!

My Sister's Wedding (finally)

So my only excuse for lack of blogging lately is that I have to do it from the laptop because it's the only computer I'm allowed to upload pictures on, and Brian always has it with him at work or school...so I rarely get a chance! Anyway, my baby sister got married to a wonderful man on February 5th. I cried of course, and I'm sure I would have even if I weren't pregnant! Brian had drill that weekend, so he couldn't come down, so I was left to chase a 2 year old around while trying to be a good "matron of honor." Don't know if I succeeded in the "good" part ;). My brother Kevin had to take Landen out during the ceremony because Landen just wasn't handling sitting still for that long (I think the whole think took max 30 minutes!). But, it was a beautiful evening, and they did such a great job with the food and decorations! I even ate some sushi even though I'm not supposed to...man it was so good! Miss that stuff! Onto the pictures:

I'm sure Katie's gonna love this picture, but Landen was "helping"
They were way to nice to each other...at first then Katie got some up Cory's nose!

Landen hanging out with his cousin Bella! She is seriously the cutest little mother hen for a 4 year old!

On the dance floor (the bride is in the back!)

Weekend Snowfest

So, over the weekend, Kevin (my brother) came out for a continuing education class in Idaho Falls, and brought a couple of his girls with him (Kaylee and Kelsey). Landen had so much fun with his cousins! He's been asking about them ever since. Anyway, on Saturday Rexburg had it's annual "Snowfest", which I've never been to, but decided to go since it's our last chance! Also, the girls definitely don't get to see that much snow in Kuna, ID (totally live on the wrong side of the state!). Needless to say, the kids all had a blast. Landen attempted to go on the sled once, and it tipped at the bottom, and they both just kind of ended up in the snow...he was not a fan! He asked to go back in the stroller (a first!!!). But, he had fun doing other things like "snow bowling", drinking yummy hot chocolate, riding on a mule drawn sleigh and of course busting a move to the awesome music. Here's a few pictures:

Here's Kaylee and Kelsey forming a "train" to go down the hill (they brought in a ton a snow to make the hills bigger)
Here's a nice action spray shot of Kaylee

Choo choo, you can't see Kelsey (all but her hands), because she's in the back

Landen coloring the snow with spray bottles of colored water

Kaylee (left) and Kelsey (right) joining the snow painting fun!