For preschool we learned about and made a volcano. We painted it and set it off last night. The kids loved it. Now McKenna talks about hot rocks all the time. They love to learn.
We have also been enjoying nice weather. The pattern is that we have nice T-shirt weather Saturday and snow and ice on Sunday. This has happened for 3 weeks in a row. There is snow in the forecast for tonight.
Katie LOVES the slide.
I held it off as long as I could. The girls were potty trained after their 2nd birthday and I must say it was a nightmare. I was 7 months pregnant and super irritable. But we did it and they did well. Katie on the other hand is doing Awesome. She has only had a couple accidents and will probably take little while for number 2 but I'm ok with it. She has to have her privacy like McKenna did and I watch from the mirror. She stands up, looks in and gets really excited. She gets a Jelly Bean as a reward and now the girls want a treat for potting too. So they get a jelly bean if they wipe and flush.
9 years almost seems impossible when you think of all this little girls has been through. She makes everyone she meets better and we are so grateful and feel very blessed to have her.
We love you Kendal!!
It's been a challenge to adjust to keeping me well. I have felt really good the last few days. I accidentally took the sacrament bread on Sunday and got sick after church. Lesson learned though.
Everyone is well. We got a lot of rain and a little snow the girls are excited about the snow. Me, I'm ready for warm weather.
We spend most of our days in comfy clothes. I am testing out recipes and researching how we can be healthier. The highlight of our days are when daddy comes home! Chris is working hard, I admire how dedicated he is and still has time to be an awesome daddy. Bri gets really sad when he leaves. She tells me "Daddy's my best friend" as she crys when he leaves. McKenna is still always singing she loves the movie 'Annie' right now. Katie sadly is growing. She's fun, she bugs her sister and loves her mama. Kendal is great, she loves school and loves her mama too. She loves her music and loves to dance with me.
We got a new wagon with a canopy! Kendal will love it for the summer.
We've been, let's say, tested lately.
I got sick again.
Really sick.
I thought it might be a stomach flu. Or maybe the house was somehow making me sick. But it was always just me. I had my friend Lindsay over on Thursday last week and as soon as she left I collapsed on the couch and didn't move for 3 days. I puked I had the chills but most of all I had a gassy yucky stomach.
My sister Sam awhile ago suggested gluten-intolerance and I looked it up and knew it couldn't be that because I didn't want to give up gluten. So after 3 days on the couch I woke up early on Sunday with a feeling I should look into the Gluten-intolerance more. I found a site that listed symptoms and if you have more than two you should get tested.
I have 22. Here is the list:
Abdominal Distention
Abdominal Pain and Cramping
Alternating Bouts of Diarrhea and Constipation
Anemia
Arthritis
Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)
Autism
Bloating (see Gluten Intolerance Bloating)
Bone Density Loss
Borborygmi (stomach rumbling)
Constipation (see Celiac Disease Constipation)
Stunted Growth and Failure to Thrive
Depression, Anxiety and Irritability (see Celiac Depression)
Dermatitis Herpetiformis (skin rash — see my Dermatitis Herpetiformis article)
Diabetes
Diarrhea
Fatigue
Malodorous Flatulence
Malodorous Stools
Gluten Ataxia
Grayish Stools
Hair Loss (Alopecia)
Headaches and Migraines
Hypoglycemia
Infertility
Joint pain
Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
Lactose intolerance
Mouth sores or mouth ulcers
Nausea
Numbness or tingling in the patient’s hands and feet
Osteoporosis
Peripheral Neuropathy (including either a tingling or sensation of swelling your toes and fingers)
Sjogren’s Disease
Steatorrhea (high lipids in the stool, which may cause the stool to float)
Teeth and Gum Problems
Turner Syndrome
Vitamin and Mineral deficiencies
Vomiting
Unexplained Weight loss
Urticaria
I put my symptoms in orange.
So Sunday I cut them out and by tuesday I was as good as new. But still very sad to give up my gluten. I have relationship with food. I love it. I love trying new things, baking. It was very hard for me to give up these things that make me happy because they could really harm me. I have new respect for people who live with this. Gluten is in EVERYTHING. It's challenging.
Good things: I lost 5 pounds. I get to try new recipes. I got a Nutrimill to grind my own flours.(store bought specialty flour is VERY expensive) I'm the only one sick.
On top of all this our main line flooded the basement. The pipes have tree roots growing in them. So there was a mess of sink and toilet goodies to clean up.
Good things: the basement is cement. We are renting. nothing got damaged. I have storage in bleach.
Our next bummer deal is Chris went out to his bike this morning to ride to school and someone stole his bike. They left him one. An old huffy. Chris wasn't to happy about it. So we add to our expenses we can't afford right now.
Good things: umm. Chris gets a new bike. Nothing else was stolen.
Chris took the twins to the BYU basketball game New Years Eve. They had fun. They got bored fast though. Chris and I have tickets in February to the BYU vs. Gonzaga game. It should be a really great game. Chris is torn though, he has always loved Gonzaga but he's a Coug now!
Chris has orientation today and we start preschool here at home. The Girls want to learn so badly. We are starting with gardens and Adam and Eve. I thought I might as well add the Gospel in there. Wish me luck. I'm not a very patient teacher sometimes.
After a loong and rocky start we are finally feeling like we are home.
The drive down was perfect. The roads were perfect the whole way. We stopped Friday night in Idaho Falls. We stayed at the Red Lion right across the Falls from the Temple there. The girls loved it and Katie loved the 'waarer' (water).
Saturday we made it into Provo around 2:00 pm and noticed right away the house was FREEZING! We find out that the gas was turned off and that the gas company wasn't going to come until Monday. We checked into another hotel and stopped by the dollar store for some treasures for the girls. They spent the evening coloring and playing mermaids. Chris stayed late at the house unloading and help came from the ward elders quorum.
Sunday came and we got all ready for church and went to the house to start the heaters in the kids' room. They watched movies and played in winter coats, while Chris and I unpacked in our winter coats. Church was at 1:00 and as soon as we sat down I wondered if I was going to make it. I felt yucky. So I took Katie back home (across the parking lot) and went upstairs to lay on the girls' mattress. Chris came and got Katie after sacrament and that's when I started puking. After a good night sleep in a cold room but warm bed I felt better plus it was Monday and we could call the gas company! But to our disappointment they wouldn't come until Tuesday. (Chris had to talk them into that even) We made some progress on the unpacking but decided to get some driving around stuff done for most of the day while we were suffering in the cold.
Tuesday came and so did the gas man! Kendal had her first day of school in her Amazing new school. She is loved already. We put up the Christmas tree and watched Elf with hot chocolate with the kids.
Wednesday came and Chris and I finagled the washer and dryer down the stairs. Washers are HEAVY! The rest of the week consisted of fighting and crying over rude people with Kendal's social security. They seriously make me feel like I'm an incompetent loser.
Thursday night we went to temple square. It was beautiful. I beam with pride (the good kind) to know that I am apart of such an amazing wholesome church. The nativity on the lawn was so realistic and beautiful. McKenna especially loved it and she loved the 3 wise men on the 'Canimals' (camels).
Friday we went to Ikea! I love it there. We got Katie a big girl bed and me a new bookshelf. Every time we move I give another one away and now I have none, but I own a lot of books. we let Bri and McKenna pick out little things for each other for Christmas. The picked out squeaky and rattle things for Kendal. And little mice for each other.
Saturday we went to Super Target. Another place I love. The girls took turns with either Chris or me picking out presents for us. It was fun. They are loving the Christmas spirit. I'm gonna hear about it for the rest of the year I'm sure.
Sunday was my first day of church. We have a great ward. Everyone lives within 3 blocks of the church. The building is soo old and amazing. Our neighborhood is ancient and I can't wait to explore some of these old house around us.
Our house is great. We have so much room and I feel bad for it sometimes when I see how other renters have mistreated it. We have laundry chutes, built in dressers, a mail slot, cold storage in the basement, the ceilings in the upstairs are all slanted we have hit our heads A Lot but I am very at home here. I love everything that Provo has to offer. It's a little dry but that is almost my only complaint.
I went through great length to give my plant a nice ride and after a night in the car at the hotel this guy didn't survive. He's sad.
Our fireplace. There is a huge mirror above the fireplace. It makes me a little vain at times ;-)
Brianna needed a picture of her and this candy.
We just happened to be at the mall at the right time to catch Santa. The girls were in need of a shower and clean clothes (yes we are those people that you see at the mall who go out of necessity with our kids looking like orphans). Katie's only interested was waving and saying bye to Santa. Kendal got to see Santa at school and was very sweet with him.
The girls at Temple square.
Katie looking very tempted by those presents.
I didn't get any pictures for myself of Christmas with my mom but we had such a great laid back time. The kids had a lot to do which made it really nice. They made gingerbread houses and necklaces and loved hanging out with their cousins.
Now to the move. I am surprised how organised and low stress this move has been. Our biggest lesson learned lately is have patience and stick to the plan.
We had a huge amount of help from the men in our ward today. They came at 10:00am so it was the older, wiser, we have a ton of experience moving, men. I have grown so close to these guys and appreciate them so much it was sad to think it may be our last time seeing them.
We fit, just barely, (except for the BBQ that was hiding in the backyard). One last night in our house and we are off early in the morning.
It feels good to be able to relax tonight rather than get on the road. I will be enjoy my favorite thing of the season tonight (The Office Christmas party). With my favorite person (Chris).
The next update will be from Provo!
The girls have been riding their bikes in the empty basement.
This was requested for breakfast the other day (bananas and pickles) and because I'm clearing out the fridge I said ok.
Katie with her friend Lizzy watching Elmo while the guys worked.
Bon voyage!
Chris is the stick figure with the spiky hair. Bri is getting good at drawing.