Another Update

Well, we're getting back in our groove after Elise & Emily left. We were very sad to see them go, but we're excited that the next time we see them there will be 3 of them! :) Emily taught Caitlin 2 things while she was here (well, Caitlin learned from Emily...I know Emily wasn't trying to teach her)...Caitlin now kisses you on the lips (melt my heart!) and Caitlin says "Mmmmmm" after she eats or drinks something....then she waits for you to say "Mmmmmm" back to her. It's very cute. Emily couldn't have taught more adorable things.

Caitlin is scheduled to get tubes put in her ears on Thursday morning. I am very disappointed that the surgery precludes me from going up to visit Missy again, but I'm very ready for my happy girl back. Caitlin has been pulling on her ear - putting her finger in her ear - and putting warm things next to her ear all weekend and so far this week. I don't think her ears are clear, and I'm sure that contributes to her chronic crabbiness.

Steve is spending a LOT of time on his class this semester, and it's pushing him. It's a lot of heavy duty math and he's having to brush up on a lot of old learning. We got him another book and it seems to be helping a bit, but he's spent a lot of time and is not encouraged. I don't want him to drop it, but I know that thought has crossed his mind.

Daniel hasn't exactly been 100% lately. He's not running a fever, he's not got a runny nose or cough, but he seems to have less energy than usual and is sleeping more than usual. I'm hoping he'll feel better soon.

We got to see my cousin Britta play volleyball over the weekend. I got to watch 2 matches (best 2 of 3 - both sets went to 3). She's amazing. She's a sophomore in High School and plays on a club team with mostly juniors and she's really good....they all are. It was a pleasure to watch her and to see my cousin Brooke and my Aunt Diane and Uncle David. I'm so glad they invited us to come watch.

Well, I guess that's about it for now....

ANOTHER ear infection! Actually, 2!

Well, Caitlin had an ear infection that was diagnosed 2 weeks ago today. She finished her antibiotics last Wednesday. On Thursday she started acting sick & crabby. We struggled through the weekend...she looked miserable. I started using some homeopathic remedies, but I think it was too little too late. She was too far gone. She had 2 raging ear infections today and her cough is something awful. She's got drainage like she's sprung a leak. The doctor gave her a shot of Roceffin (sp?) and sent us home with prescriptions for Zithromax, a numbing ear drop, and a cough medicine. She's sleeping well tonight (so far) for the first night in several. We have an appointment with the ENT on Thursday at 6:30pm....this after they originally told me their first available appointment was on March 7th. That wasn't soon enough. In other news, we're having a great time visiting with Elise & Emily. It's a pleasure to have them both around...I wish I weren't doing so much running around, but tomorrow we're piecing 3 quilts, so we'll get lots of quality time. Here are a couple of photos from last Friday.

She really did feel lousy - as evidenced by our doctor visit today, but I still think this picture is funny.
You can really tell the difference in the girls' phisique in this photo...Emily is lovingly the "Tank" and Caitlin is more petite. Emily has so many entertaining facial expressions...I think Caitlin was taken aback by this one where Emily was "smelling" the rose petal.
This is a classic and made the whole shoot worthwhile! Isn't she a doll? Too bad Caitlin wasn't more cooperative.

Is it Spring?

I know this will surprise you Northerners...but I planted my garden this weekend. 6 strawberries, 6 broccoli and 3 tomatoes. We'll see how it goes. I pulled out our dead lemon tree (didn't make it through the freeze). We are thoroughly enjoying our back yard. I got this really cool bubble machine that makes THOUSANDS of bubbles and the kids love it. Angela gave us this really cool little cube with a slide that is perfect for Caitlin and she loves it. It was 72 degrees here on Sunday - it's supposed to be 64/65 through the rest of the week and this weekend. Elise comes tomorrow (HOORAY!!) with Emily. I've got 3 matching dresses to get the girls' photos in...and my local client is a photographer and said I could borrow a back drop! So, hopefully I'll have some photos to post before too long. Steve & Angela made a bet over whether or not the port-a-crib would fit in our laundry room and Steve lost, so he's making Chicken Enchiladas Verdes for dinner tonight (Yummy!). Well, Steve & I are both fighting colds, Caitlin is still on an antibiotic from her ear infection last week, but the boys are healthy as can be.

News News News

Well, my birthday weekend was wonderful! Steve surprised me with a night at the Aladdin after our dinner & show. Kenneth had a basketball game on Saturday and he did great. I got to go shopping and lunching with my sister for several hours! It was great fun! Then, we went to the baptism of a friend. Baptisms are always wonderful. I dressed up Caitlin like my little doll (literally)...it was so fun. I changed our her ear rings, and now she lets me change them every day. Sunday was church and rest (yea - I love morning church!). Kenneth had an "It's great to be 8 fireside" where they talk about all the programs that start for the kids when they turn 8. He's very excited to start scouts and his "Faith In God" program. The Bishop talked to them about reading their scriptures and praying every day - and Kenneth took that to heart. Sunday night he wouldn't go to bed without reading his scriptures, and yesterday, when he was in timeout (for 22 minutes because he kept talking back!) he came out quoting his new "favorite" scripture (1 Nephi 3:7). Anyway, it was a great day. Yesterday I worked all day (thanks, Ang for watching the kiddos). Then, as soon as I got Caitlin back I took her to the doctor. She had been running a fever and when she came home with me she wouldn't stop moaning. The doctor said she has another ear infection (darn it - that's 7 since last February). She wants us to go back to the ENT. Today Caitlin is dragging and pretty much my little attachment. I just laid her down for a nap, which is how I snuck in to write this. Here's a photo of Caitlin before the baptism:

My 20's.....

Well, after tonight I'm officially in my "30's". It's been a good 3 decades so far...this most recent decade began with a marriage proposal, and ends with a marriage that's still going strong....and a family that's grown by 3! It's good, very good. I'm grateful for the "sheltered" life I've led. I have wonderful parents, great siblings, and a fabulous spouse & kids! What more could a woman ask for? Thanks to all the wonderful people who have befriended me along the way, too. I would be lost without my friends! Here's my life so far "at a glance":

• Jan. 26, 1977 6:34am Utah Valley Hospital (Provo, UT) Joy Kristine Fellingham is born.
• Approximately 6 weeks later I fell extremely ill with viral pneumonia. Doctors didn't give me one chance in 10 of surviving.
• 9 months later our family moved to Sequim, Washington
• Sept. 1989 we moved to Bellevue, Washington
• Sept. 1990 we moved to Provo, Utah, shortly to move to Lindon, Utah
• Jan. 1995 we moved to Lehi, Utah
• May 1995 I graduated from Pleasant Grove High School with a 3.995 GPA. (One A- ...darned Mrs. Giles!)
• Sept. 1995 I started my BYU education
• Oct. 1996 I met my sweetheart, Steve
• April 1997 I was married to Steve for eternity in the Jordan River Temple
• Jan. 4, 1999 I started working at Ernst & Young in Austin, Texas
• July 27, 1999 Kenneth Warren was born
• August 1999 I graduated with my Bachelors and Masters degrees from BYU
• November 1999 I passed the CPA exam (Yea!)
• November 1, 2002 Daniel LaVelle was born
• October 31, 2003 was my last day working at Ernst & Young in Austin
• December 2003 I started my own business as a CPA working from home
• August 3, 2005 Caitlin Joy was born
• August 2005 we moved our family to Las Vegas, Nevada

When Steve asked my dad for my hand in marriage, Dad said "Joy is young, but she has always been well beyond her years." I did life early...that's how I like to say it. My life is good, though, and I wouldn't do it any other way. This year we celebrate my 30th birthday, our 10 year wedding anniversary, and Kenneth will turn 8. It's a big year for us.

Thank you to all of you (anyone reading this) who have touched my life and affected it for the better. You have each played a part in helping me fill my life with happy memories and bright hopes for the future.

Goals I have yet to complete:

• Learn Spanish
• Learn to play each hymn in our hymnbook (on the piano)
• Make myself the kind of person/mom/wife that everyone respects and who touches others in a positive way. I want my kids to remember me as a happy, nice mom - not a mom who yells all the time. I want my husband to think of me as a kind, loving person, not a naggy wife who complains. I want my friends to feel like better people because they were my friend. (Steve says this isn't a real goal because it doesn't have a definite "completion", but it's my biggest goal nonetheless.)

Well, here's to my 30's! Bring it on!

Thawing Out

We're home safely from our trip to Utah, and we're still thawing out. HOLY COLD! Wow....we're glad to get back to above-freezing temperatures. We had a WONDERFUL trip and we're very glad we went, but we were very cold. We got to witness the baptism of my nephew, Johnathan Webb, which was very special. Then we got to hang out with our friends the Joneses...such good times...Kenneth & Daniel even got to play in the snow! Then we saw my brother, David, at Cabella's (where he works) and he gave us a tour of the place. Then we went to dinner and played games with all the adults! It was a very full day packed with good memories. Yesterday Angela & I sang with my mom in 2 different church meetings, then we headed home. All in all we're very glad we went, and we're glad to be home safely.

It's COLD here!

Well, it froze last night. This morning Tasha's water was frozen solid. I found her a dog house on Craig's list and Darrel kindly picked it up for me yesterday. I've put a blanket in it for her. We're going to stay inside as much as we can for the rest of the day. We cleaned a bit this morning, then went to Kenneth's basketball game. He scored 1 basket! Yea! His team has a very hard time scoring...they often shoot 3-4 times without making it before the other team gets it away from them. They seem to have a good time, anyway, though. I'm glad they don't keep score yet. We ran to the grocery store after the game, so now we have no need to venture out.

Steve says he's coming home tomorrow - no word on what time, though. Cross your fingers.

Hum Drum Friday night

Well, Steve has spent this week in New York, battling a cold/flu. He's been detained, and was unable to return home today. :( He is hopefully coming back Sunday night. He's been sorely missed. The boys are playing a new video game I bought them (for my sanity's sake) and Caitlin is already in bed. We've had a good week, and it should be a slow weekend except for Kenneth's basketball game and church. I'm finally starting to get over my cold, and the kids all seem to be healthy. Work is picking up rapidly and that stresses me out, but what can I do? It's what I signed up for....

Nevermind

I guess it wasn't nerves...he's had a relapse, and he's feeling sick again.

Nerves

I believe Kenneth has had his first case of the nerves....

He had his first basketball game this morning and shortly after he woke up he vomited. I told him he couldn't go to his game and get his friends sick and he insisted he wasn't sick and that he felt all better. We loaded up and went. Steve & Kenneth jumped out of the car (we were running a little late) to go down to the bball courts while I parked. Kenneth went running down to the courts and came right back up again....he couldn't quite make it to the bathroom. He vomited in the hall at the multigenerational center. I walked into all of this. I got some rags, cleaned it up, we talked to him again and he insisted he wasn't sick. He played 2 quarters of the game and he did great. They lost, but that's OK. Johnathan made a basket and Johnathan and Kenneth had a great play together - Johnathan rebounded the ball, dribbled it across the court, passed it to Kenneth, and Kenneth shot the ball...and missed. But it was fun. We went to breakfast afterword, and Kenneth ate fine and seems to be OK now. I guess it was just nerves.

Doctor, Doctor!

I cleaned the kitchen yesterday, so this morning I put it to good use. I made 4 loaves of bread (which is 2 batches for me), a double batch of Elise's rolls, Cinnamon rolls, and cookies. Yummy!

I took Daniel for his 4 yr. checkup today - I know it's late, but there were insurance issues. He's 90% for height ( our FIRST child EVER over 50%), and 75% in weight. He got 4 shots, but he was very brave.

Caitlin woke up from her nap worse (she's had a cold), so I took her to the Dr. an hour after I left with Daniel. She has another ear infection, and pink eye. The doctor also gave me some recommendations for her dry skin.

Angela left for Bakersfield for Alex's first gymnastics meet of the season, so I've got 5 little chickens here. The kids are loving the back yard - even though it's cold and windy today. Johnathan didn't even walk into the house - he went straight to the side gate.

We've got a lot to get done this weekend - Steve's hanging crown molding, and I'm working. Steve leaves on Monday for New York....again. They booked him an open-ended ticket this time, so we have no idea when we'll get him back again.

Anyway, hopefully we have a good weekend, and you do, too!

Before and After.....as promised

Aparently it doesn't load my photos in the order I selected them, so it's after, then before, then after - but you get the "picture".... :)

It's AMAZING!!!

Well - big news today! Our back yard is IN!!! Retaining wall, bushes, rocks, edging, sprinklers and even grass! YIPEE!!! It got too dark before I could take "after" photos, but Darrel lent us his camera and Steve went out and took "before" photos...so, I'll take "after" photos tomorrow and share them with you! Prepare to be amazed! We even made Tasha a 10X10 area by the gate where she likes to look out so she won't be on rocks! Eventually we will build her a shade section there, and probably a dog house....someday. Also, eventually, we'd like to put some lattice by the patio and put planters in for flowers and cover the patio and build a deck and.......you know how it goes.....anyway - this is a HUGE step in the right direction and our back yard is no longer an eye sore! YEA! The boys waited until the workers left and then went right out and played tether ball (Kenneth & Johnathan). Then they stayed out there and played a made up game until we made them break for basketball practice. Daniel was in pajamas until 6pm - so it must have been a good day, eh? I also fixed Catilin's hair in a more "grown up" hair do today....she's growing up SO MUCH SO FAST I can hardly believe it. I pulled it into "some up and some down" - that's what my mom always called it. It was darling on her. I just hate that her car seat smashes down all her curls before we get any place! She's repeating words more and more every day - even when I yell for one of her brothers....or even when Daniel yells at me....woops....we'll have to work on that one. She's also getting more words of her own like "treat" and "yesh". She's a pro at "no", but she usually says it very cute. I'm having a wonderful time wearing all the new pants I bought while I was in California. Daniel has his 4 yr check up tomorrow (ouch - lots of shots). I'll share photos as soon as I can!

Settling in......

Well, we're getting settled back into our routines. I have happy news to report tonight. Tomorrow night at this time I should have a finished back yard....of course there will still be things to save for, like a cover over our patio (to save us from the HEAT), and some lattice here and there, but for the most part...it will be done. At least the kids won't get so dusty when they go outside! We're having a retaining wall installed, a drip system, sprinklers, a little grass and lots of river rock. Kenneth and Daniel are loving the tether ball back there - and now it will be so FUN to go out back! Yea! A big thanks to Steve for making this all possible.....

I'll let you know how it all goes....and maybe I can talk Angela into taking some pictures....

We're back!

We had a lovely trip this holiday season, and we've arrived home safely. Here's a quick re-cap:

December 22nd: Left and drove to Bakersfield.

December 23rd: Drove to Fresno - played at Chuck E. Cheese's with Gma Ackerman and Aunt Sara...continued driving to Sacramento. Had a huge wonderful dinner with all the Hansen clan, and finished up with a visit from Santa!

December 24th: Went to church, Steve & Pat visited Artie's grave, had a Christmas Eve "hang out" party with the Riders in Elk Grove.

December 25th: Woke up to presents from Santa...had a lovely turkey & ham dinner with all the fixins with the Hansen clan. Steve played soccer with his family and Kenneth.

December 26th: We were supposed to go to the snow, but we were afraid of bad weather, so we hung out and did laundry, then went to the Davis family home for a beautiful roast dinner and watched the movie "The Da Vinci Code"

December 27th: Packed up the car and headed to Lafayette to the Clay home. Had a lovely dinner of ham and all the fixins.

December 28th: Went to SAN FRANCISCO! This was the highlight of the trip for me. Just 4 adults (no kids) Darin, Missy, Steve & me. We had a great lunch on pier 39 at Boudin Sourdough, shopped a bit, visited a few fantastic jewelry stores - learned a lot about jewelry, had a lovely dinner overlooking the wharf - DUNGENESS CRAB!!! It was a splendid day - thanks to Sami for watching all 11 children!

December 29th: I spent some time working with Darin & Missy on their taxes...then we went to the Miur Woods - and saw the Redwoods! We had a wonderful dinner of homemade Korean food, made by Missy.

December 30th: Steve got to visit with his Grandmother for a few hours. I did some laundry then went shopping with my sister, Missy. I got 7 pants, 2 skirts, and 3 pair of shoes!! I'm a happy woman! We had the BEST Chinese in the WORLD that evening with the Thompson family.

December 31st: We loaded the car and drove home. We opened our remaining presents and played with almost every one of them!

January 1st: My Grandma Noble came over for the day. We got crown molding for our Master Bedroom, Angela & Grandma and I went shopping while Steve & Darrel and the boys installed the tether ball stand that Kenneth & Daniel got from Santa. Steve made a wonderful meal of Beef Strogenoff for us to share and we ended by watching "Invincible" (A great movie).

We're very blessed. Most of us have colds, but now that we're home, I'm sure we'll get better quickly. We still owe the boys one present, but we've told them they'll get it when we can find it to buy...

SNOW!

This photo was taken by my sister who lives in Greeley, CO. They put our little dusting of snow to shame! Holy cow. Hang in there, Elise, Les & Emily!!!

SNOW!

Well, I couldn't believe my eyes when I went to put Tasha out this morning....there was SNOW on the picnic table and other various objects in the back yard....so I went out front - and this is what I found! Amazing. I totally didn't see it coming. I didn't think it was even that cold! Good thing Steve finished winterizing the boat before he went to New York! Wow.

Daniel ruined the surprise, so I guess I can say that the last 2 days have been spent painting the master bedroom in our house. The bedroom doubles as my office, so there is a LOT of furniture in the room. Thanks to Angela for helping SO much!!! I totally LOVE how it turned out, and maybe after Steve sees it Angela will take photos for me to share.....

Anyway, tomorrow I have a couple of errands and Caitlin has to go to the doctor for a followup with her burn. But it should be pretty low key other than that.

Getting Along

Well, I'm excited to say - Kenneth & Daniel are really getting along....I mean REALLY. They have been playing exceptionally well together lately, and I'm hoping it's not temporary. Daniel has even taken to sleeping IN Kenneth's bed with him. Kenneth usually reads to Daniel before they fall asleep, but lately Daniel hasn't been going back to his own bed - and tonight they didn't even read and they're both in Kenneth's bed. It makes me very happy. Kenneth has also been doing better with Caitlin lately. He's been holding her hand and helping her places and tonight when I was trying to get them all into the car and I ran out of hands to hold - Caitlin went over to Kenneth and reached for his. :) YEAH!!!

Anyway, I thought I'd share my "joy"...

Mystery

We went to "The Forgotten Carols" by Michael McLean. It was FABULOUS! Of course we went to dinner first, and dessert after. It was GREAT!

Burns, scars, and sore mouths

Well, as if I didn't have enough discomfort in my mouth....I got a huge cancer sore! Geesh. Well, it's sure taking my mind off the hole in the roof of my mouth! Ouch!

Yesterday we played at the park, and played at home. It was a lovely day.

Caitlin got a burn on her head last week and she's on antibiotics and I'm putting silvadine cream on it multiple times daily. She's wearing gauze around her head to keep the silvadine cream covered, and she looks like "Ninja girl". Steve says I should take a picture, but my camera is still missing. Anyway, hopefully it will heal OK.

Today we're organizing, cleaning, and getting ready for next week. Steve just found out he's leaving for New York on Sunday. He's not very happy about it. The last time he traveled for work back East, he got stuck in Atlanta in some crummy hotel on his 30th birthday. He's very bitter. Hopefully there won't be any storms or anything crazy happen that would prevent him from returning home on Thursday. We plan to leave and start our "Christmas vacation" on Friday.

Tonight we have a very special date planned. Angela and I have been planning it for over a month as a surprise to Darrel & Steve. We're going to have a wonderful evening, and I'm so looking forward to it!

We've got all but 2 gifts bought for Christmas, and that's such a good feeling. I've wrapped all my presents this year and put them under the tree (ahead of time!)...I know...don't faint! Anyway, it's been a very nice Christmas season for us. We went to the ward party last night and it was very nice.

Steve's at work (grumble, grumble). Hopefully he'll be home soon.