Happy New Year!

Here is my good, bad and the ugly report.

Ugly first-poor kitty's tummy. It looks quite funny now though when she walks.

The good. We have had lots of travel this year. We have been to 3 zoos, Disneyland, Lagoon, Sea World, Up and down the West Coast. And the sudden trip to the East Coast. Great visit with my dad and his family. Someone has a drivers license

The bad, the loss of my grandfather, but I feel his presence. Falling Christmas trees, Expensive headaches. No time and the kids are growing up too fast. Oh yeah, someone has a drivers license.

But it is nice to reflect this year and admit it has been a good one.



So I have been sick with something since Christmas. It is getting worse and very annoying right now. I am pretty miserable. I would love to get SOMETHING accomplished on this long holiday.
Hannah is 6! My baby is 6 years old. I am having a trauma over my baby growing up. She had a nice birthday. She got a Disney princess game from my mom for the Wii. And she got the Barbie Island princess stuff from us and a cabbage patch doll from my sister that wets itself.
I am about to celebrate New Years with my husband and 3 youngest daughters. My sister and her man may show up in time to celebrate with us. Then I get I to fetch Amber and a friend on the other side of town from a church dance. Too far and too many drunks and policemen to let her drive.

Devanie thought this was a funny story so I am sharing. Amber was able to drive on her date the Friday before Christmas. But it snowed while they were in the movie. Too much to let her drive someone else's kid home and herself. Lee Joe was moving a road grader to Costco for Snow removal. About the time the movie let out he was at the theatre. I gave him ahard time about driving them home in the road grader. But He did it anyway. Amber and Matthew road home in the road grader. When they pulled up in front of Matthew's house he got his brothers and parents outside to show them. A very memorable way to come home. On Friday this week he came over with Amber's other friends to play the Wii. They ended the night playing a board game called Quelf. It is this hilarious board game of just random things. They had to write haikus about armpits and other silly things. Kelsea had to play leap frog. One of the cards said that when you land on an opponent's space you had to hold hands with that opponent. Matthew rolled next AND landed on Amber's space. They held hands for the first time for a whole 3 seconds before Amber could quickly roll the dice for her turn. She was so red and it was SOO very funny. That is my continuation of the silly teenage saga.

Happy New Year!!

Christmas aftermath

We had a very nice Christmas. The girls all got things they wanted. After they opened their stuff there was some stuff in the very back of the tree for all of them. There was a Polly pocket race to the mall for the 3 youngest. Some movies and a Disney Scene it game. And then there was a Wii with games and accessories for 4 players! And a Dance dance revolution game. The girls were so excited. They didn't expect it at all. And Lee Joe had a big surprise present. It was something that started with a note in a little box and he had to find the big box. He really wanted a Lionel train set. I found one. He didn't think he would get it at all. So that was a great surprise for him. So the train set is up on the floor in the living room and the wii all over the family room. We cleaned all day today before we played the wii today. Yes, I am having fun too, and my arm and shoulder are sore. Lee Joe and I boxed tonight.

The cat is getting better and got her tubes out of her stomach yesterday. Our neighbors feel awful.

I love Christmas vacation. My car is getting a break too.

and all that-

The two oldest have babysat for the past two days. Amber is driving herself to her friend things and now on a date tonight. Kelsea was a butt to her Orchestra teacher again on Weds. While talking to a friend of hers in her class she said Kelsea is hilarious and does and says the things they all wish they could say. She won't be there next semester. I can't believe that she is my child sometimes. If she wasn't so funny it might be easier to be much harder on her. Amber and Kelsea played together Thursday in their seminary classes. Autumn got a student of the month award yesterday. I am happy the kids are out of school. But they keep wrapping things they are making and found my tape stash. Our tree is full of stuff and I not sure if it is just big boxes and gift bags filled with pictures on paper and other crafts. But it is pretty cute. We keep getting banned from bedrooms and other rooms when they are working on something. I am so behind with everything. I was up till 3am last night in my freezing cold garage with the space heater on and I found out I need to go out in the shopping mess one more time for one or two things. I also forgot to get something for Matt's girlfriend.

And the cat is recovering well so far. She has 15 stitches across her stomach. She was listless the past two days. Today she is sitting up, purred when I pet her and complained when I cleaned her stomach and is eating. I couldn't imagine my life without pets and it just makes me sad at how bad she is hurt. I love cats even though I am allergic to them. I put up with my allergies for the love of my cat. I don't mind caring for her I am just not very good at it. I am glad it is over Christmas break because I will be more likely to remember to give her all her meds. We know that our neighbor's dog did get her. They called their dog in when they heard something going on outside. We could consider her lucky she is still alive. The girls have all been concerned for her. Lee Joe said my Christmas present was getting her fixed up but that is not true because he is out shopping for me right now with the girls.

I am so excited for Christmas. I got Lee Joe something great that he has no clue about but wants. I can't wait! I feel like the kids but it is not about what I am getting it is about them. So much fun!

I don't know that anyone will be posting much here on out. But have a
Merry Christmas.

poor kitty

Amber discovered our cat this morning was badly injured. We thought it was just her leg. She couldn't walk on it. She was a mess and smelled like she was in a fight. Lee Joe took her to the vet and then discovered she had a large slice across her stomach. She had to have surgery. The vet and Lee Joe think a dog got her. She has puncture wounds on her legs and stitches and drainage tubes out her stomach. It is huge- all the stitches she has. Poor kitty. She has a cone on her head and can't walk. It is so sad. She is on two antibiotics and has pain meds. It is awful. But at least she is OK. She is one of the kitties I hand fed as a kitten. I have some pictures I will post later because Amber thinks she needs the computer at 10:30 for homework.

Can it be?

Can it be that Christmas is less than a week away today? Can it be that I am behind with everything and that somehow this week is so plugged with stuff I will be lucky to catch up? I think I am done shopping but there is still so much left to do.

Hannah went to the eye doctor today. She is going every 3 months right now. She is 20/30 out of the not so good eye with glasses. We went to build a bear today to get her an early birthday present since all of Boise will be there after Christmas with all their gift cards. She picked out a bunny with a Disney princess shirt. I need to take pictures.

I have two concerts to attend tomorrow. One at 9:15 in the morning and one in the evening. Kelsea is still a butt to her orchestra teacher and it sounds like she actually intimidates him because he won't reprimand her, he just glares at her and yells at her friend instead.

It rained and rained today. I am subbing for recesses tomorrow. I don't like the forcast. Inside recess is a pain. In December, the last week of school , all the kids are out of control. Oh well it is just 3 hours. That is the only time I will have gone in to sub this month. I have little time to bake. We will do what we can.

I am excited for Christmas, I just more TIME to get what I want to done.

My trip

This will be lengthy-More of a story than a blog.

I decided to go at the last minute. Saturday morning we bought the tickets. Lee Joe wanted to come with me and I was such a mess over the anxiety of flying and getting there and seeing my dad again I was just a mess and didn't want to go a few times even after I bought the tickets. My mom didn't want me to go and I hurt her feelings over something I said but I told her she could help me by being here for the girls while I was away. So she was good with that. Amber was thrown into her license while we were gone. She drove the girls home from church, and took them to the Stake choir thing. She drove kids to seminary in the morning and the girls home from school, to Kelsea's game and everyone to their Weds stuff. The girls were awesome and so responsible in our abscence. That is the first time we have left them together for longer than overnight.

Before we left on Sunday, Amber and Kelsea were playing together in Sacrament. Our plane was suppose to leave at 12:45 and Sacrament is at 11. We asked the bishopric if they could move their musical number earlier and they did. They played this beautiful piece. O Come Emmanueal on piano and violin and it was amazing. Kelsea's music fell on the floor and they didn't miss a beat. She picked it up and put it on the bench during a pause for her in the music, Amber slowed it a bit and no one knew the difference. After that we said goodbye to all the girls and they all fell apart except for Amber. She takes a lot to let loose of emotions in public. Kelsea and the other girls couldn't keep it together so after sacrament they went home. We left. At the airport we found out there were delays. When we got to our gate it was a 3 hour delay. We had a connecting flight in Chicago to Providence RI and it was delayed too so we hoped for the best. Everyone kept sounding like we would have to wait until Monday to leave and that was too late. We got into Chicago. What a crazy airport! We found the part of the airport where our flight was suppose to be. We asked about our flight. We were told to go to a certain gate. We got to the gate and our flight had left an hour earlier. The flight they were getting ready to board was to Boston. We asked them if they knew how close it was to Providence. They said maybe 2 hours. We asked if we could get on that flight. So with only 10 minutes till boarding time we changed our rental car location. We got out our US Atlas I brought along. I am so prepared! Anyway, Boston is only 50 miles to Providence. We figured out our driving plan on the flight and got our car once we landed and made it to our motel in Providence at about 2am their time. But we lost our checked bag with the flight change. The other great thing I did was I packed 2 carry on bags with the stuff we needed the next day. I packed like we would lose our bag. I didn't have everything I needed with the new liquid restrictions but I had the clothes I needed to wear to the funeral and Lee Joe did too. I had make-up and toothbrushes but not shower stuff and no flat iron. So that was amazing we made it.


Some information from my past. I have seen my grandparents a few times over the years. They came to see me about 3 times. My dad saw me last when I was 4 and then I went to Connecticut 3-4 years ago and saw him for the first time in 32 years. I met my two half brothers for the first time. They were 18 and 15 then. And my step mother. I met 3 of my Aunts and their families. One of my cousins is my age and I spent a lot of time with him before I left when I was 4. I loved my grandfather. I still remember him playing the banjo and the juice harp and other instruments for us and he played with me a lot. I have always loved the hammer dulcimer because he had one and I played it and he played it. My grandma says she has only seen him cry once in all the years she has known him. And that was the day that I left with my mom and sister. When I went to Connecticut a few years ago they had put him in the home because he was so difficult with his Alzheimers. He could only remember me as a little girl at that time and I was glad he could remember me but was broken hearted at waiting too long to come because he was not himself. My grandparents and my aunts all made sure that Melissa and I were never forgotten after all those years. So I had to go to the funeral.


The next day we got it together and found our way to the viewing. We got there. I found my Aunt Kathy and my brother Duncan was close by. He gave me hug and said hi. I said hi to some more relatives. I saw my dad and Alane. They saw me and came over to me. He was all smiles. He looked surprised I made it. I thought my Aunt Kathy had told him I was coming but she didn't. He was surprised. My Aunt Amy offered to let me stay with her right away if I needed to. My dad, after I talked to him for a few minutes asked where I was staying and immediately offered his place. His own sisters were not sure he would offer. The viewing was interesting because it wasn't somber. There was laughter. Grandma said he was probably dancing around in heaven playing a harp and playing it well. They all said that even though he loved instruments, he struggled to play them. She was sad yet looked for the relief he has now at being himself since he hasn't been for so long. My aunts cried as they said goodbye to Grandpa before we left for the service at the church. I saw my first Catholic funeral. When my Aunt Amy shared her memories of my Grandfather one of her recollections included me and my cousin John sitting on his feet while he clomped around pretending we were a pair of boots he was going to kick into the closet. And then we went to the grave site and there was a little service there. Then there was dinner at a restaurant for the family. There were pictures of grandpa. One set had pictures of him when he was young and one had pictures of him with his children and grandchildren. I was in one of the pictures with him that was on display.

Back at my grandma's house we all crammed in her small place. I was in the kitchen and dining area with my cousins and they talked about memories of grandpa and him pulling out instruments from behind and under the recliner for them to play. I remembered the banjo. I said I remembered the juice harp and when Snoopy would play one I would say "my grandpa can play that!" My cousin Brian said he had one. One of the kids found the dancing wooden man grandpa would make dance for us. I had told Lee Joe about it earlier. So I was able to show him what I was talking about. Even though I was gone for so long I was not a stranger at all. The remarkable thing there is I always have felt comfortable and connected to all of them. I discovered things that I carry that are Kennedy traits. All of the Kennedys get warm easily. I do that. All the aunts babies and my dad's sons were large. Beyond 8 pounds. All my girls were. My dad is a picky eater and my sister and I are too. Melissa more than me. We went to the Olive Garden Tuesday night. My favorite place. And he always orders the same thing. I usually do. But when I told Melissa what my dad ordered she laughed because she always gets what he has-spaghetti and meatballs. She left there when she was a baby and doesn't know him. When my dad watches TV he pulls his shirt up over his nose sometimes. Weird habit but I do that! My dad teases his wife a lot. I tease my girls, nieces and nephews the same way. My dad talked a lot this time. He shared so much and let me pick any of his pictures I wanted. He has done photography for years and has had shows and won things. I told Lee Joe on the flight home that it felt so good to have had that time with my dad. And that I could say Dad to someone who really was my dad and see him happy to be around me and when we left I could still hear his voice in my head. I have wanted that my whole life. I have never cried happy tears but I have and can do that now. I feel my grandpa healing us in his passing doing what he couldn't do in life. The divorce of my parents devasted my dad's entire family. His parents, his sisters, his aunts. They all loved my mom so much. And things have never been right since. There is so much that I can't explain because this blog would go on like a book. But because I have worked so hard at being accepting of any relationship I could have with my dad this -well I am speechless with how overwhelmed I am. Something that so many people take for granted I now have and I hope to get for my sister too. I am grateful for how this trip turned out. I suppose if that was the only Christmas present I got this year it would be the best and the best ever.

I'm back!!

I went to Connecticut. It was a trip like no other. Miracles happened. remarkable incredible awesomness even with the funeral. I think my grandfather really had a hand in getting me there and since I had 3 hours of sleep last night and it took a ridicuous amount of time to get home today-but we missed all the bad weather- the full update will have to wait until I am rested.

Congrats for Amber

Amber is an official licensed driver today!! She passed the driving test yesterday and today she did the written and has a fancy card with her picture on it now!

Kelsea's team lost their first game last week to last year's city champs. She is starting and playing almost the entire game this year. She was suppose to guard this girl that was almost 6 ft tall and did a better job guarding her than anyone else on the team. She had about 20 jump balls that game too. The game before that one she made 11 points and one was a 3 point shot!! I didn't know she could make those and neither did she.

I am still undecided on whether I am leaving for Connecticut this weekend but if I do I will leave on Sunday. My own dad hasn't called me so I don't know what to think about that. It was my Aunt that called. My grandma is not taking it very well. My mom is trying to convince me I shouldn't go. Lee Joe says I need to, but I am trying to make my own decision.

Some sad news

I am sad but if I had time to have shared with my grandparents more I would be more of an impact but my Grandfather in Connecticut passed away. He has had Alzheimers for years and the last time I saw him when Hannah was 18 months he could only remember me as a little girl. But I treasure them because they took more time to see me growing up than my father ever did and from what my grandma tells me is that the only time she has ever seen him cry was the day we left Connecticut because she says he just adored me. I didn't have that great of a relationship with my other grandparents that I grew up with after that. It was a good relationship but I knew I couldn't compete with my sister. He was a special grandpa that loved music so much that he collected instruments from all over the world. He could play some of them but he claimed not very well and those are the things I remember about him. And amazingly I can remember being in Connecticut even though we left when I was that young. Maybe I am sadder than I thought. So I am trying to figure out if I am going to the funeral that is on Monday.

The tree fiasco

We always get a real tree but I have been looking at artificial trees for a few years now but haven't bought one. This year I wish I had. I sent Lee Joe on Monday with the three youngest in search of the annual tree. The past few years they have been really small so we were looking for a taller one. He got a nice tall and fat one. We didn't get it up in time to decorate it Monday so last night was the night we could do it but it was just me and the 3 little girls. It had been up all night and all day. We were putting lights on the tree and Kylee was handing them to me and all of a sudden the tree fell over on Kylee and the tree stand ran up the front of my shin. Kylee was fine but my shin was not. Huge raised bruised bump up the front of it. So we tightened the tree stand up and we were able to decorate the rest of the tree. At 4am the tree dumped over again with some disasterous results. I happened to hear it. We have a few glass ball ornaments that the girls have made and one was a gift to Kelsea that shattered. We have a tradition of the girls getting an ornament every year so when they get their first tree when they leave home they will have ornanments from their childhood. Five of those broke. 4 were repaired with super glue that Lee Joe got for me around 5am and one was not repairable. There was water all over the tree skirt and my doll nativity. I had considered putting my nice set under there this year. I am glad I didn't. The good news this morning was I found a replacement that almost matched the unrepairable ornament at Target. I may find the humor in this and do a picture for my Christmas cards with the girls in it reinacting a falling tree. So later today when Lee Joe and I are both home at the same time we need to adjust the tree, attach it to a wall and put bricks on the back side of the stand and then we will have to decorate the tree all over again. It was very pretty.

And TOMORROW!!! Amber will be doing her drivers test!!!!! And might-I say might-have a license at the end of tomorrow. I am afraid, but I don't have to take her. She is a little freaked out too. Her permit expires in January so it is good timing.