My Ode to Danielle

I would like to dedicate this blog to my friend Danielle, who always seems to make my day brighter. Today I went to visit and I decided to start this fitness program with her called P90X, or something along those lines. So we did the fitness test, and I think it was supposed to be serious but I ended up laughing really hard which I haven't done in a long time. I wish I had my Camera and I wish I could expose all of Danielle's secrets, but then I am sure she would not be my friend anymore. But I never knew that Vertical Jumps, Toe reaches and especially Jumping Jacks could be so dang entertaining. So here's to you Danielle. (Get Your Game Face On Danielle)

Air bubble or loogy?

I remember growing up eating at the table and then getting a nasty air bubble and how much it hurts. Of course it is murder for me to get the thing out and I spend a lot of time at the sink between burping and throwing up whatever I ate after I got the bubble stuck ( If you have ever had an air bubble than you know what I am talking about.) Even now on occasion I will get a huge bubble and I will have to stand at the sink while I try to get it out. The kids of been witness to this and they always come over and ask what is wrong. Gabe is always right there just watching in awe as mommy is spitting out all kinds of stuff into the sink. I think as a boy he finds this fascinating and not gross in the least.

So I was not too surprised when Gabe keeps informing me that he has an air bubble. I asked him if he was sure that is what is was. He was pretty confident that was the problem. So as we go to the toilet together I find out it wasn't an air bubble at all....but a nice old big nasty loogy. I didn't even correct him, I guess I would rather him think he is spitting out an air bubble instead of snot....

Sick, Sick, Sick

So I mentioned in my last post that while we were in Nauvoo, Corey's parents and grandmother were sick. I wasn't too worried about catching things, especially the older kids. But when you are sleeping in confined places, like an RV for three nights with sick people I guess I should count my blessings that I got away with just two sick kids. Lexie got it first and she doesn't handle sickness really well. Of course it went straight to her lungs and she had a high fever yesterday and a horrible tight cough. Then of course my sweet little Hailey is feeling horrible today too. She is coughing and although she doesn't have a fever yet, I am crossing my fingers that she won't. We were at my parents house yesterday and so I asked Corey and my Dad if they could give both girls a blessing. I have to admit since coming home from Nauvoo I have been a big spiritual high. So I could feel the spirit so strong while my dad and Corey gave blessings of healing to the girls. Lexie has no fever today and is normal now. I am still giving her medicine to help loosen the mucus in her lungs but she is back to bouncing all over the place. Hailey is still coughing, but still no fever and I think after a couple of days she will be over it to. I can't tell you how wonderful it is to have a husband who has the Priesthood and lives worthy of it so he can bless our family in this way. Now lets hope that no one else gets this nastiness.

Vacation Events

We finally made it back from our trip and I am still considered legally sane so it must have went pretty good. We had so much fun seeing family and then going up to Nauvoo to see the sights. I hate splitting up blog entries so get ready for one huge blog about our trip.

On Saturday when it decided to snow a blizzard on us, we had to get out of the house. Luckily my brother and sister in law got a room at the nice hotel by Bass Pro Shop. So we all headed over there to go swimming. It was funny because we had to stop in Walmart to get Lexie a swimsuit and it was snowing outside. The kids had a blast and Lexie didn't want to leave when it was all over.

Lexie posing for the camera. She just looked so cute in her swimsuit.

On Sunday we blessed Hailey. It was so special. I tried to savor it considering this is our last one. The dress was so pretty. My Mother-in-law lovingly sewed it for me. Afterwards everyone came to the house for a breakfast lunch and we all hung out.

Then after we ate we loaded up in the RV and took off for the 8 hour drive up to Nauvoo. I am a fan of RVing with four kids in tow. It was nice to have a bathroom readily available and a kitchen to fix meals without stopping. We still didn't get there till around 2am and we were exhausted the next day. It was so beautiful. I loved every second of it. It was such a testimony strengthener for me. The kids loved it as well. The only downfall was how cold it was. We froze the whole time and I think next time we might plan a summer trip instead. While we were there all of the older adults had to go to the urgent care because Grandma Esquibel had Strep, Grandma Carol was having bad Asthma and then Grandpa Esquibel had Pneumonia. But we so far have escaped the nastiness.

Corey on the Oxen ride with the kids.

In front of the statue of Joseph and Hyrum Smith at Carthage.

Logan enjoying the RV playing a card game.

Logan holding the water buckets.

Lexie snuggling with Grandma in the RV

Putting Lexie to work finally.

Lexie celebrating her birthday with a present from the grandparents.

The well at Brigham Young's house.

We decided to lock the kids up at Carthage Jail.

Gabe chilling on the RV

My Gabber totting the water buckets

Family picture at Carthage. Please don't mind us we haven't had a shower for a couple of days.

Corey with the water buckets

Organized Life Interrupted

I really think the above picture fits me to a tee. I claim to be not obsessive about stuff, but when I really look at how I handle certain things I think I might have to change my opinion. I like things done my way when I want them done. I know I am not the only person out there who has this disorder. I have a schedule and I like to stick to that schedule to a tee. If I get thrown off or someone decides to change something last minute I almost want to pull my hair out. I have come a long way since being married to Corey. He is so easy going it sometimes makes me sick. If the roof is leaking (which it is by the way) his attitude is I will get to it, it is fine. Those buckets up in the attic are doing a great job of catching the rain. Me, I like to fix things pronto and not waste anytime. I hate the thought of having something broken or not just right.

So this weekend we are having a house full of people coming to visit for Hailey's baby blessing. I do love visiting and I love seeing people I haven't seen for a long time. The kids absolutely love when Grandma and Grandpa come to visit with their bus. We also have Corey's brother and family from Texas coming up to stay for the weekend. So what happens when I can't control all these people and tell them where to put their stuff and how to pull the shower curtain just right after showers.....I go manic. I feel like I am suffocating and I am not lying. I can compare it to claustrophobia because I have some of that too. But I am DETERMINED to not get too anal this weekend. I will let them shower how they want, I will let them eat and not worry about every crumb left on the floor. I will let the kids play and not scream that they are leaving a mess in the bedrooms. I am not going to make people feel unwelcome and leave early because of it (yes believe it or not I have done this too). So if I can just make it four days without a mental breakdown then I will have happy moments to share with pictures for my blog. Let's just hope I can control my OCD for this family time that we can look back on years down the road with no regrets.

Hailey is One Month Old!!

Can you believe it has been one month since we had Hailey. I have to admit it feels like we have had her longer than that. It might be the fact that we are awake most of the 24 hours of the day. But I would not give her back for the world. She was worth everything that I had to give up to have her. She has been a pretty good baby with the usual bouts of fussiness. But one look at those super chubby cheeks and you can't help but kiss her. I thought instead of a bunch of pictures I would take a little video. I was so sure she would be super happy since it was in the morning, but she decided to give us her "attitude" to show everyone. We love you Hailey Sophia and we are so excited to have you in our family.

Ode to American Idol

I Love American Idol this year. There are so many people on that I would love to see win. In fact, I have to admit none of the contestants this year make me want to scream. I really enjoy listening to them sing. This week I really liked Matt and Adam. I know that Adam got mixed reviews this week, but I really liked it. Plus who wouldn't like Matt's rendition of Carey Underwood's song. I voted for Adam multiple times before I couldn't get through. So at least I can say I did my part. If you are a lover of American Idol leave a comment to let me know who you like.