March Madness

Not Another Hospital Stay!

On March 10, 2014, little bro went to Primary Children's Hospital in Salt Lake City for a ph probe test. It was an overnight test. We were both miserable staying at the hospital because they woke us up a lot and Little bro hated the probe down his throat. In fact, he pulled the tube out and they put "no no" socks over his hands. The best part of being there was a late night wagon ride and a trip to the playroom on the 3rd floor.  Little bro was very sad while there and when he finally got the tube out he was happy again. His test results came back normal, which means he doesn't need a nissen fundoplication procedure done while he gets a g tube surgically inserted.  I still wonder why he continues to cough, gag, and vomit while eating or drinking... He also continues to struggle to gain weight.  There has to be something going on to cause those symptoms if it's not GERD (acid reflux) unless his Zantac is helping him control the acid from coming up. 

Choir Concerts

Big Sister had her chamber choir concert on March 21, 2014 while little sis had a choir concert on March 27, 2014, which she sang many Disney songs.

Little bro is 10 months old!

 Milestones: He is slowly making progress but not gaining much weight. He is starting to drink from a straw but seems hyper sensitive to certain food textures such as macaroni, cottage cheese, cheese, thicker purees, etc.  I'm hearing a little more babbling sounds, but he is not improving much on gross motor skills yet (no signs of crawling, pulling up to stand, or walking). He is doing well developmentally in cognitive or social skills such as putting blocks in and out of a bucket, clapping, etc. We are working on waving bye bye. He seems timid or shy around strangers and always prefers Mommy over anybody else.

After School Programs

The girls signed up for after school programs. Big Sis volunteered to help out with the track team. She is a track manager who assists the coaches and attends the track meets. As for little sis, she has been enjoying her water coloring art class.

Spring Fever Scraps

Spring is finally here! Here are some of my favorite digital scrapbook spring layouts to celebrate one of my favorite seasons!

True Togetherness, 2005

Credits: The layout is by me. I used the "Coming Home" kit by Amy Wolff and love ya like a sister font.

 Kids at Play, 2008

Credits: The template is by Cindy Schneider. I used kit "Scrumdidliumptious" collaboration kit by many Sweet Shoppe Designs artists. The colored felt elements and stitched black alpha are by Dani Mogstad. I used grumble for my font.

Glow Play, 2011

Credits: The template is by Chrissy W. I used the following kits from Shabby Princess: "Twirl", "Bounce", and "Hopscotch" . I used the following fonts: it ain't rocket science, grumble, and firefly castle.

Easter Blessings Scraps

We are looking forward to Easter weekend! Big sister made a cute Bunny cake during a Young Woman's activity this week.  Too bad I couldn't try a piece due to being recently diagnosed with gestational diabetes, ack!  Way to go Sis on making a darling cake! 

 Here are a few of my favorite Easter Scraps.

Egg'stra Special, 2003

Credits: The template and "Bella Collection" kit are by Shabby Princess. I used love ya like a sister font.

 Egg Coloring, 2005

Credits: The layout is by me.  I used "Hide and Seek" kit by Dani Mostad and love ya like a sister for my font.

Happy May Memories 2012

Lately I've enjoyed the perfect spring weather! Oh, how I love smelling blossoms while jogging, and seeing the beautiful flowers and trees!  During the month of May, we went hiking, celebrated Mother's Day, big sis got braces, and little sis participated in a school dance festival.

After the kids were dropped off to school a couple weeks ago, John and I went hiking up Grovecreek trail.  We saw many wild flowers, butterflies, and a humming bird.  It was partly sunny on the way up the trail, but within an hour it got extremely dark and cloudy.  It started to rain a few minutes after we were safely in the car.

On Mother's Day, I wore a fun bohemian styled outfit and sandals. My family spoiled me by making me breakfast (waffles, eggs, and bacon) and dinner (shrimp and chicken Alfredo)!  I got some lovely flowers (yellow, white, and purple) to hang near the back porch. John spoke in church about mothers and I got a king size bar of chocolate from the ward, which I shared with everyone!

Big Sis got her top braces on!  She looks very pretty and happy in this picture!

Little Sis had a dance festival.  The third grade performed to the song Summer Belongs to You from the cartoon Phineas and Ferb.

We are looking forward to fun SUMMER adventures!  Hopefully I can knock out some things from last years summer bucket list that I didn't get to accomplish.  May was simply marvelous!

Spring Butterfly and Floral Wreath

It has been a while since I last crafted something.  I was in desperate need of a colorful spring wreath to hang on my front door since my oldest daughter thinks I never decorate my house for holidays or seasons.  So I went to a local Dollar Store to gather some supplies.

Spring Butterfly Floral Wreath

Supplies

One wreath 

Flowers: baby breath, yellow, orange, pink, and purple

Batches of butterflies (brown, orange, pink,and blue)

Glue gun and glue sticks

pliers (to cut the flowers)

My total spent at the Dollar Store was $10.00, which is cheap compared to a craft store! As for the time arranging and gluing it together, it took me about two hours.  Now isn't that a pretty cheerful wreath? I absolutely love my spring wreath and look forward to making other wreaths in the future!

Happy Mother's Day in Heaven!

Dear Mother, 

Last year I recall bringing you a boutique of beautiful flowers for Mother's Day.  You also requested some new dresses and even though you were diabetic, I spoiled you with a sweet treat...   You were very excited and happy to see Karen, Nate, and me! 

 I have many fond memories of you.  You were very kind towards others and an animal lover.  You loved music, singing, cooking, and crocheting.  Thank you for being a fun Mother!  We sure had marvelous adventures together such as swimming, roller skating, bowling, playing at the park, shopping at the mall, eating at several restaurants (like Sizzler when you yelled out to the waiter, "More Shrimp Please"), and having Baskin's Robins Ice Cream cones, etc.  You spoiled me rotten when you bought me that huge Barbie house on my 12th birthday, you reluctantly drove me to the store to buy me junk food late at night when you would rather be sleeping, and always gave me shopping spree money!  

You always comforted me when I felt sad or was hurt. I truly enjoyed bouncing ideas and goals with you in person or on the telephone.  I loved that you always understood me, supported me, and encouraged me during my hard times.  You were very patient with me and loved me very much. I always could count on you and appreciated all you have done for me. You were a wonderful example to me.  I always admired your faith, determination, courage, and strength.  

I think about you all the time especially while I go jogging and hope you check in with me once in awhile.  Last week while I was at Walgreen's purchasing my first red lipstick, I thought of you.  I have never tried bold colors like you wore (blue eye shadow, bright pink lipstick, and red lipstick) and I was surprised that I didn't look too bad with ruby lips!  I will always think of you when I apply that red lipstick and feel confident like you did all gussied up! 

I am sad that I didn't get a chance to say good-bye, sit by your bedside, or hold your hand before your unexpected death.  I will never forget my last precious moments with you.  It was in June 2011 when Karen and I came to see you at the nursing home after you were discharged from the hospital.  You had a terrible kidney infection and a broken leg (from a fall in the shower).  You were lying in bed swollen from all the antibiotics and had a difficult time eating your dinner due to your Parkinson's Disease. So Karen and I took turns feeding you.  Before we left, we both hugged you, kissed your cheek, and said, "I love you, Mom!"  I am very grateful for that time we shared together with you and hope you will remember my beautiful last moments with you.   I hope you know how much I love you!  I miss visiting with you in the nursing home, seeing your warm smile, wrapping my arms around you, and kissing your soft cheeks.

 I will never forget you, Mom. Happy Mother's Day in heaven!

Love your daughter forever, Jenny       

I scrapped some pages of my sweet Mother and some pictures from her funeral.

Miss You Mother, 2011

Page Two 

Credits: Shabby Princess June 2011 Templates, Blossom and Sprout kits from Shabby Princess, and I used the Mareen's Print font.

Festival of Colors

Photo Credit: Erin Kondratieff Pritchett

You know it is spring time when an explosion of rainbow colors can be seen in the air! Big Sis left the house in a white t-shirt and jean shorts with some friends to the Festival of Colors on Saturday March 24, 2012 at the Sri Sri Radha Krishna Temple in Spanish Fork, Utah.  She was given some colored cornstarch to toss in the air (not recommended thrown in your eyes which happened twice to big Sis).  She had a lot of fun with her friends and came home with pastel hair, face, shoes, and clothes!