Enough with Dead Fish Already!!!

So you may remember that we had the oh-so-brilliant idea to get Braden a fish tank for his birthday last year. Then we dealt with babies being bred by the dozen, and I mean within days people...  And again a few months later...And don't forget we had to get a house sitter when we went to Europe to watch the fish-(nothin' like 5 year old drama!!!)  Now I am no fish expert (as the fine folks at Petsmart will agree) but it seems to me like fish are a lot more involved than one would think. 

Braden with Larry number 3 (I think)

For starters, the whole tank cleaning thing.  One sales person says clean the tank once a month but change the filter every week. Another says clean water every other week and the filter monthly. And another 5 people tell me something else entirely! So now I have it worked down to a system, when the tank looks like the one in the dentist's office on Finding Nemo- I clean it. Now this use to be Rusty's job, but somehow I inherited it... Oh, and I had the brilliant (seriously tho) idea of getting a sucker fish because they eat algae! So my tank is way cleaner! They are seriously ugly though and I won't put my hand in anywhere near it, they kinda freak me out. 

But then there was a whole series of fish dying, 'must be the Ph' they said so we got the stuff to fix that and bought a round of new fish. Then another few drop off and it 'must be the water temperature' so we get a heater. Then we didn't have a 'bubblier' and that must have been why those few more died. Then we got 'ICH'. Which is as gross as its name. It is a bacteria fish get that makes their scales get air under them, painful and gross.  So weeks of daily water changes, plus the medicine for it and a new batch of fish have a squeaky clean home. 

Now you may think I am exaggerating, but I bet if I checked my credit card history we would have bought like 50 fish over the last year. No joke! Currently we have three cute little gold guppies (6 have come home with us in the last week), a sucker fish "Sucker the Third" (first one lasted eons and Sucker the 2nd lasted just 48 hours), and a gold Molly fish.  Monday I flushed the silver Molly "Maggie" after she was attacked by our Beta fish. And I wasn't really sad to see her go because I knew my baby fish days were OVER! The Beta "Larry the 5th" was red this time, instead of blue and that seemed to make him more aggressive. He attacked the three little guppies and took on Maggie who was WAY bigger than him. So he got himself put in fishie time out (a small vase aside the tank to remind him what he could lose). But apparently he couldn't take the separation. He feeds on having other fish around (no pun intended-ok yeah there was) and after a mere afternoon in timeout he was dead. Sad. 

SeRiOuSlY people! I am DONE with the fishies! I swear when these last 5 die out the tank is DONE! Or at least when the other 4 die the sucker won't have anything to eat and he will probably just give up.

In fact it seems the only fish that has managed to hang around a while is Nemo! And he is a cyber pet! EEK! 

So Braden is gonna have to learn to love him some plush fish (thank heavens Webkinz makes a bunch of them)- cause I am so done with the ones we have now!

Home Sweet Home...

This month marks 6 years since we moved from our first home in Mesa to this home in Gilbert. Six years. It seems so crazy. Braden was only a few months old, we were weeks away from his first surgery and this house seemed so big.  Over the years you change things and adjust. You get more stuff, more people and more stuff. A once playroom gave way to a new nursery when Berk came around. A guest room was sacrificed so I would have an office of my own to 'girlify' and leave a mess if I wanted to. All white walls have been painted in the last few years so that the only white that remains is in the bathrooms- and that's just cause I can't decide how I want to paint them.  Ok really, the kids bath I want to paint in stripes-but the texture on the wall makes it impossible to get a clean line- so for now it is white. We've put crown moulding up in nearly every room, framed the windows and changed out all the light fixtures, nearly.  

Poor Rusty changed out three ceiling fans just today. About ten times. Is there some sort of law that says a box CAN'T have either a)the directions in it or b) all the parts included??? I swear we have made 10 trips to Home Depot and Lowe's today! Anyway.

And outside there are so many changes. A pool fence was one of the first additions, followed by a bigger grass area, and eventually chairs by the pool, a tramp and an ever popular sandbox. Out front we still have a list of 'eventually' to do, but we did cross a big one off early last year when we removed an UGLY tree and put in two new shade trees.  I really really really want to paint my house.  I have the color all picked out, I have a painters number- now I just need the OK from Rusty to spend the money! (hint hint)

It seems so funny how you can feel like you are bursting at the seams with toys and clothes and stuff and yet there is always something to be bought! We love this house. We thought it would be a temporary thing, only a few years at most. But we love this neighborhood, school, friends, ward and now we wonder if we can ever leave.  Now if we can just figure out where to put everything we've outgrown... I am praying for a storage unit for my anniversary, how romantic, right?

So Happy Moving Day Anniversary House- we love you. 

Knock Down Drag Out Fight...

It shouldn't be this hard. I mean really. In the scheme of things this is just about the easiest, pain free doctors visit any kid could go to--- but somehow Braden still managed to make his yearly cardiologist visit a day to remember. (So much so that I don't even have any  *gasp* photos to go along with this post- so I will bust out some oldies as filler.)  It is probably my fault, trying to be efficient I scheduled his dental cleaning this week too. Which he had NO CAVITIES, but in order to find that out it took me, the dentist, and three- YES THREE- hygienists to hold him down to check. Seriously? SO he was more than a little traumatized going in to today.

It is one of those catch 22's. While it is an amazing blessing that his health is good enough to only require yearly trips to the peds Cardiologist- that also means it doesn't happen frequently enough for him to remember what goes on there. Plus they moved offices and so it was a new place for him, and the nurse that took us back was new to us. I should have known when we had to tag team him to get him out of the car, but I thought once we were there it would be smooth sailing. 

Wrong.

So here is the rundown of his visits. Height, weight, blood pressure check, EKG, Echo, and finally the actual exam. As they told us today they are all 'stickers and cords' nothing to hurt or poke you with there. He cried about taking his shoes off to get weighted, what? And then looked like the ruler was gonna chop his head off when he got measured. And of course they weigh him in Kilos and measure him in centimeters, so have fun doing that conversion- oh fine, I did it for you, he was 44.something pounds and just over 45 inches. 

(last year's EKG)

Once we got into the room for the BP and EKG he freaked. Kicking & screaming, and he full on punched me! The nurse was great- sensing a brawl was ensuing he left the room and came back with stickers, a robot toy and a play stethoscope. We calmed him down, after forcibly removing his shirt for the tests and then he was great. He sat still for both and was fine. 

After a LONG wait the ECHO tech was ready for us. Can I just say first of all, those machines are the coolest thing ever. And to watch the techs work them is mind blowing. There are a million knobs and switches and a whew, here is a photo. No wonder they go to school for so long just to do one machine! Anyways. After a little scuffle to get him onto the table, biting was involved, it wasn't pretty...  But the tech was a tough lady who took NO bull crap and she told him to lay down that they had to get an image. Finally after crawling up on the table with him he settled down and they got a good looking echo while he watched Kung Fu Panda.  

After the tough tech we went back to wait for our doc. We had been there for over two hours and I was BORED- luckily Rusty had his Itouch to keep Braden amused and I played on my Iphone enough I ran the battery dead. Sad story. So since Braden's defect is really rare, and his outcome of such great health is even rarer, they always drag any medical students in to see him and hear his heart. I wish I had taken a picture of his chart. This one is about 3 inches thick, and I know he has at least one more chart in storage.  Crazy.  He listened and listened. They check the pulses in his feet and listen more. Then the med student listens.  We are continually blessed and amazed at how well Braden s still doing. He isn't on any heart medication and under no restrictions. We will go back again in a year and then the doc said we may even go to once every couple years. Amazing. 

He is such a great doc. He even told us this funny story about how his daughter had done a google search on him and a photo of he and Braden came up, and his daughter thought that he was pretty cool to be on google. So funny. So we are done for another year, the bite marks on my arm are healing, the scratched on both Rusty and I will fade and we will somehow try to think of a way to make it less terrifying for the next time we go! Now we just have to figure out how we are going to get Braden to his consult with the pediatric surgeon he has coming up (for a umbilical hernia that never healed). That outta be fun...

Happy New Year!!!

We rang in the New Year up at Rusty's family cabin in Pine. It was so nice to get away and relax. My parents joined us for a day and then the Burkinshaws came up for a day. We drove to the gravel pits one afternoon so that the kids could play in the snow and Braden could try out his new snowboard. Other than Braden's attempt to 'pet the fish' in our pond right as we were leaving the entire stay was so nice. And yes, he did fall completely into the pond and was soaked in freezing water head to toe. Nice.  And for all you nay sayers it DOES snow in Arizona. And you gotta love the snowsuits that are permanent residences of the cabin- some of them are from when Rusty was a kid! Gotta love it.

Christmas 2008!!!

Okay here is our Christmas rundown- and the photos are totally in backwards order but I have been told by someone, HOLLY, to update my blog already so here you go!

Berk opening his Elmo Kitchen- can you tell he was excited?
Braden & his new drawing thing, that once his Dad figures out how to install, will be really cool.
Right before we let the boys come down in the morning, and also the last time you could see carpet at my house for a few days...Both boys got scooters from Santa. Braden also got a TBall set and Berk got the softest Wall-e blanket.
Berk sleeping in on Christmas morning, in my bed- yes his feet WERE  right in my face all night.
Christmas Eve at the Beck's
The boys loving on their Auntie Kels.Berk & I eating Eve dinner. They even made me Chicken Chicken legs (you Mortensen's understand that one)

Rusty and I each got what we really wanted this year, I got an IPhone and he got a Blue ray player. So I am relearning how to use a cell phone again. We had a very blessed Christmas season- even with our attempts at doing less getting and more giving.   We are headed up to the snow in a few days so I am trying to get Christmas down, but not very fast. Oh well. At least my blog is up to date...

Merry Christmas!!!

Hoping this year's end finds you wishing 

to see more of the Earth's wonders.

Merry Christmas!

Tis the Season- Soccer that is...

Actually our soccer season just ended. And none too soon. Braden had an injury* the morning of our last game and couldn't even play (too much pain killers to walk straight let alone run!). The Sharks had another great season. Of the 16 players we had last season 9 were back again and we got a few new friends, making it a family of players. I have to say our girls players are hands down awesome. We did have one kid who had never played before just tear it up. Amazing that kid was, when he showed up. I loved Wednesday practices because after one afternoon of chasing Berk out of the field and across the entire park 700 times I had the brilliant idea to stay home and have other Mom's spend practice there. So Steph and Randa would come and keep the craziness confined to my house and we had the bonus of chatting time! The kids all play well together, except when Berk threw a wooden building block at Blake- resulting in enough blood for us to summon Pops to see if stitches were needed (nope). Other than that we had so much fun.

The games were always an adventure. Either Berk would or would not run into the field. Generally he did, unless someone was there to entertain him with a ball on a nearby field. And Braden either would or would not decide he liked soccer and either he did or didn't make an effort. Crazy kid.  

We just had our end of season party and Coach Rusty got to give out the trophies. I love all these kids- they are so funny! Braden is the oldest on the team and will move up in age bracket so most of them won't play under Rusty anymore. I am super sad!

Berk got a trophy out of the box- he can't wait for his turn to play!

The best Soccer Mom's out there- Randa, me & Steph

We think we may try T-ball next, since there is a lot more sitting and a lot less running- sounds right up Braden's alley!

*Braden's accident-He was riding his electric scooter around the yard and across to the neighbors drive as well and turned to sharp and went right into their rock slicing his pinkie finger in half sideways from his fingernail coming out. It is hard to explain what happened (Pops used the word evulsed---ICK!), and frankly I still can't look at it without throwing up in my mouth. Luckily Rusty's dad has an AMAZING first aid kit and has been patching him up all week. Not so lucky it was his right hand so he has trouble getting dressed, writing and basically everything else. Oh well. BOYS!

My Bunco Girls...

I have the best group of Bunco Girls ever. I know you may think you do, but my group really is the best. Some of us having been playing together for going on 6 years! We are a modge podge of people who really shouldn't know each other but do through someone or another and love each other anyway. We have sisters, friends, co workers, and friends of friends all playing together every month and having a ball. For lack of a better word I am the Bunco Mom for our group. I say Mom the other girls say Nazi but whatever.  The highlight of the year for me is each December when I get to host at my house. I actually started shopping for the gifts last year and having been busy organizing the second annual ornament exchange for us too.  I love love love these girls and the memories we make each month. I love that it is my escape from the world and we can talk about random things and laugh till we cry. Or just cry because your very own sister cursed the dice you were throwing- while you were in the middle or a rocking turn- AND you were partners! But usually it is laughing till we cry. 

Rhonda, Megan, Meghan, Jessica W, Jessica C, Rachel, Lauren, Kristie, Jolie, Parie, Sherry & Jenn --

Thanks for being the best out there and for putting up with my craziness!

Some of our ornaments from the exchange.

The prizes. I ended up with the tall sparkly snowman- for most wins. Which is a good thing since he already had a home all picked out on my snowmen table.

Thoughts on 'the season' so far...

To the hostess at one of the places we love to go to, sorry we inconvenienced you by asking for two whole high chairs and three whole kids menus. Its funny it was almost like we didn't even mention it when we told you about our party size. Patrons can be such a bother sometimes. No worries, at least the manager was nice when the waiter forgot one of our orders.  We really like to eat in shifts anyway.

To the worker at the Petsmart on Val Vista. You were totally right.  What were we thinking? Why would Braden, Berk and I stand right in front of the tank of fish we selected and actually think someone employed at the store would scoop one out for us? I mean its not like we were there only to replace the 4 fish that died after less than 2 weeks -that were also from your store. Silly us.  I hope you disregarded the cries of 'Pish Pish Pish' as we left the store 10 minutes later.

To the clerk at the big W store. Totally a time saver you are! No wonder that line moved so fast that I barely had time to read the entire People before it was my turn! If I knew that I would be asked to show my credit card and my ID, maybe I would have offered them to you before I put them back in my wallet and into my purse. Oh wait I did that and you ignored me and then once I was reaching for my receipt then you asked to see them. ERGH!

To the employee of another big store, the T one this time, you were totally right. Why would you actually want to help a customer when stocking a shelf is clearly better customer service? Especially when I will end up scaling the shelf to reach the too high item before you can even offer to help. 

And finally, to the guy who sped around me from  the opposite direction, you were totally right, I WAS using my blinker to show you there was an open spot. Wasn't it nice of me to wait while that woman unloaded her cart and buckled her kids in just so you could get the LAST spot in the parking lot. No biggie- I can lug my 40 pound kid a few more miles, I need the exercises! 

Okay honestly people! It is Christmas! Remember? 

 Man, I really am very patient with people at the holidays. I worked 4 retail Christmas' at a mall department store no less.  And until you have- you never really get how annoying it is to hear Christmas music start before Halloween and have men yell at you for being sold out of things on Christmas Eve. (Honestly, that last part- true story, my reply- seeing how I had already put my 2 week notice in I may have been a tad sassy-  was, "Sir, you have had 364 days to make your purchase, and that seems to mean it was your poor planning not mine." I may have even winked. I can't remember.  Then I called my manager so he could yell at her about me, and being out of stuff.)  I know you know what I mean if you have served your time in retail. 

But I digress....

My point is this. Be kind. Let the guy with one thing cut you in line, especially if he is holding diapers. That is my personal rule. Smile at the workers, they may have just had someone rip their head off for a matter out of their control.  Drop some coins in those darn red buckets and make those bell ringers day worth the headache. Don't let the little annoyances of rushing around ruin the season.  Be patient. You are busy, but guess what? So is everyone else, including that person behind the register- who is probably thinking that have to shop on their breaks to get it all done in time. Being annoyed does not make the line move faster. Be Christlike. Take every opportunity that could go sour and make it about service and being an example.  Your kids are watching, which is why I quietly let me complaints known to the manager of the pet store before we left, and parked in another spot-ridiculously far away rather than yelling that the jerk guy. I may have thought those things, but I tried not to act them. I want my boys to know that this time is more about a baby in a manger and less about a guy in a red suit, ya know?

Festival of Trees 2008

For the second year we went to the Banner Gateway Festival of Trees Gala. It was so fun. Different from last year because there were not as many trees, but they did have wreathes, gingerbread houses and other things to big on. Plus this year we knew a lot more people there, including the Treece family and the Nielsen family and our good friend Susan Haviland- who came with us. We had a fun time. Although it was FREEZING in the tents- the food was yummy, dessert especially. 

Cindi my MIL managed to leave with another tree this year! It was the cutest one there hands down (it's the one in the red pot at the top of the post). There were a lot of variety including the all pink one and that cool burgundy one-- oh oh and the all white one, loved it. But the most creative one was from the Jeremiah's Closet (BGMC Peds & OB tree) it was all decorated in candy and gum. The frames were made of gum packages and the garland. It was so {sweet}.

Be on the look out for next year, it supports such a great charity. It raises money for parents who can't afford car seats for their preemies and replaces those that are damaged in car crashes, plus a bunch of other stuff. Thanks for the invite Pops!