jons new home

so jon is in his new home.. loma linda rehab (east campus)..its a nice place..friendly staff...its shared rooms- BUGGED..but as of now no one is in there with him..they are really nice about letting us stay the nite with him so that is great..there are other people there doing that too..they just bring like fold out cots..i picked one up today for whoever stays there- we've been just sitting in a chair this whole past week!
when we left the hospital..ALL the nurses and PT's were SO SAD!!! they didnt want jon to leave at all..they LOVED his room! all of his posters, family and friends..and especially jon..they told him.."when you walk again..you come right back to us okay!" jon said I PROMISE I WILL!!! it was neat..
jons doing really well still...no complaints..the nurse gave him a body bath and jon said he could fell pretty much everything..he could tell her exactly where she was bathing him..he actually even felt it down his chest and stomach on the right hand side..so that was encouraging!!
then the doctor came in..start poking and proding at him..he very LIGHTLY poked jons toes to see if he could feel them..jon of course said no..anyway - the doctor told him he has about a 1-2% chance..jon said bring it on...ill take that 1-2% chance..the doctor did say that there have been 1-2% chancers that walk right out that door..so he's hoping for us too..jons dad said.."doctor, your going to see some miracles here"...
so we shall see!! tomorrow he has therapy started..he will be doing it 3 hours a day..its VERY scheduled out his whole days..i hope he likes that.. more of a routine thing vs sitting in bed all day...
i always HATE driving home!!!!! its usually very late..by myself..at night..tonite i cried the whole way home..i kept thinking man i hate having to leave him...i wish sometimes life was like it use to be..ill be SO happy when he's just back in our home again..no matter what his condition..just in my home again...then i thought im so lucky that ATLEAST i have somewhere to go see him..that he's alive..i cant imagine what people go thru knowing they have no where to go see their loved one..who am i to EVEN complain!! so i pulled myself together before i walked thru the door..im much better now..so VERY VERY exhausted though!!
i had to laugh..rachel caught 2 lizards from erin thompsons house..and she made a huge poster and taped it to the back of bonnie's van that said lizard for sale 6.75 includes the container..i saw the container on the table by my front door and i though OH CUTE! ill leave 6.75 and let the little lizard escape..but she had already put it back into its little cage i guess..im REALLY not any kind of a pet fan!! i make her keep all her "pets" in the garage- im so mean!!! i just prefer not to have a lizard hanging in my kitchen where i eat breakfast- just creeps me out!!
well its now 1230am..i REALLY need sleep..we shall see how tomorrow goes!!

these are the directions to the rehab place..take 215 north to washington..it will turn into barton road..follow that down and when you get to Benton turn right at that light and immediatly left into that parking lot..then you enter right there..it looks like a spanish style entrance..walk STRAIGHT back all the way to room 15 i think..once your all the way back go to your right and he's the last door on your left...

he's going to his new home!!!

sorry for so many posts!!!! but this one will be good i promise!! todd from loma linda just called and asked for permission to get him over there..so were good to go...he will head over there THIS AFTERNOON!!!!! i do have gym clothes that he can wear right now..so ill bring those with..he said he wants jon OUT of the gown and INTO regular clothes so he feels more human then a pin cushion...im SO EXCITED!!!

okay so here's the info on loma linda..it is the East Campus area that he's going too...
essentially take the 215 North then exit Washington St which will turn into barton Road and he's on the corner of barton rd and barton st...right side..
its called the Loma Linda University Medical Center East Campus 909-558-4229

what is jons business?? www.outsourcereport.com

Many people are asking what exactly does jon do anyway?? jon for the past 10 years has been working in the gaming industry..i know he's worshipped by ALL of the deacons around the world!!!
the past couple of years he's worked his way up to be an "Art Director"..meaning he has anywhere from 10-30 artist under him that he manages..but he doesnt just manage..he's also working right in there in the middle of things...he's not one of those guys that tells them they have to work 16 hour days because they are in a crunch and then goes out to lunch or home..nope he's working those SAME 16 hours..he says it makes a BIG difference when their boss guy is willing to work just as hard as they do!!
last september..he decided to change some things..he was commutting clear from riverside to santa monica 2.5 hours each way...he feels he's missed out on his family for the past 10 years..so he now is working on starting up his own business from home..he now commutes down the stairs in his shorts and shirt! he loves it! he has developed a "information service" company for the gaming industry..his website that he created..but had someone else code it all together is www.outsourcereport.com with that it is a database of information for "providers" who can do work and "developers" who need the work done..the way the money is made is the "providers" pay us for advertising (jon also does a montly magazine in which he does all interviews,writes all articles and designs it all himself..then we send to canada for it to be printed up and mailed out thru the entire US) and the "developers" pay us a subscription fee per year for the online database and magazine as well as a monthly fee to use certain "levels" of the database online..
so that in a nutshell is what our business is..and hopefully we can still make it happen! thankfully with technology today..he should be able to use a voice activated PC and voice activated keyboard..i know one guy that runs his entire website from his wheel chair..so the possibility is still there!
hope that helped to clear that up!

great night again

i talked to jons mom this am..i didnt get to bed till 2am..one of those thinking thru the nite things...but i did sleep in till 9am..so that was good! jons mom sandra said he did good thru the nite..they actually have him a sleeping pill vs the anxiety medication..and when he woke up thru the nite... it wasnt so bad..he requested that he be moved every 2 hours..so the nurses were good about that too..this am when he finally woke..he felt SO happy that he wasnt so grogged out from the other stuff...
the PT guys have already come in TWICE today!!! jons a go getter!!! his fever is at 99.3 still..they say its common because when your lying down so much everything settles in your lungs..so he continues to do his breathing thingy (he calls them his breathing dumbells) hes actually got his number to almost 2000!!! AMAZING!!! they told him the more he sits up the better his lungs will be..his body is fighting it off well..maybe thats why he stayed sitting up for 17 minutes yesterday!!!
all in all he's doing well..today again would be good for visitors! he told me last nite.."i hope your not turning people away!!!" i told him people understand..and they'd rather see you getting rest then chit chatting with them..so no worries..now that he's doing good..it would be good for people..keep in mind it takes a lot of wind out of him and breathing to carry on a conversation..so if you can-- you yourself try to do most the talking...
i am now on my way to the LOVELY dmv - ugh- but atleast his car will be registered and i wont get any tickets!! tracy is with him now caring for him..then mark should be there shortly... he'll stay till 2pm..then ill take over ..then robert will stay thru the nite..
thanks again to everyone for all of your help -- its just been so wonderful!! soon here jon will be getting out of his cute night gown..and into some regular clothes..my mom is on her way getting him some fresh white garments..mom-- he's going to LOVE THAT!!! thanks!! i imagine he'll be in some sort of workout gear type stuff..loose clothing..he only has one pair of gym type pants and NO SHORTS!! if anyone would like..he could use some more gym type sweat pants..the loose kind..not the tight sweats kind...the one he has now says XL..so get a L or XL..as well as some gym shorts..again L or XL..maybe make sure they have a tie so he can keep it around his 32 waist - i know ALL the 33 year old men and older are jealous he still wears a size 32 waist and has a 6 pack!!! also some tshirts would be good...i know he's a small guy BUT he has a big heart!! he likes to wear size large in the t shirts...also some fresh white gym socks would be good for him.. he does have gym shoes so were good on that..i hope thats not asking too much of anyone..but he's going to be spending the next 4-6 weeks working out..so he'll love it!

thank you everyone! its sure a lot easier to do this with so much help! look later for a fun surprise on my blog from jon -- i hope you enjoy it when it comes!!

what exactly happened?

ive realized that a lot of you dont even know exactly what happened..sorry the information is swirling around and getting confused! this is an account of what happened last thursay:

Jon has had a love for motorcycles since about 16 years old..of course he parents wisely said "no thanks" to that idea...

about 7 years ago he was able to get his own motorcycle.. he would use that to commute to and from work where as we could only afford one vehicle..for his 30th bday i bought him a REALLY sweet motorcycle that he had always wanted..he also used that to commute to and from work..but mostly for pleasure..

he has been and used dirt bikes before in the past...

last thursday jon was riding a 120..he went up the hill and was coming down and hill..wasnt going very fast..he said he just "hit the wrong rock/bump" and he flipped over the handle bars..he had over extended his neck..meaning he had put his chin REALLY close to his chest- too much so..when he landed he had his C5 had obliterated..he was totally aware and awake and knew INSTANTLY what had happened..he knew right away that he couldnt feel anything from his shoulders down..he said he even felt and heard a pop sound..he knew he was "done for the day" his exact words he told sheldon..

the paramedics were called out and rushed to him..they accessed him and quickly had him in an ambulance..as the ambulance drove the bumpy roads..they decided it was too dangerous and called for a helicopter to life flight him in..they waited an HOUR before it got there- the wierd thing was the hospital was only 10 minutes BY CAR!!!

sheldon mcgee and jake thompson say he was in SUCH good spirits..almost in humor..he kept saying..im so sorry i ruined your day..and your bike..and your gear...ill totally pay you back for everything..im sooo sorry..he kept telling them..its not that bad..sall good..its not a big deal..really he's fine..

the MRI initually showed that there was severe damage at the c5 part of the spinal cord..they couldnt tell how bad..due to the swelling..and there was extensive nerve damage..and only time prayers and hope would tell what the outcome would be..

so there you have it- ive realized some people knew what happened and some only have bits and pieces and are trying to put it together..sorry for the confusion - hope this helped!

still doing well

jon is still doing well..i came to see him around 730pm..he was doing great..he was chatting with his friend camille hughes and kellie hales..scott called from the convention and told him that everything was going well..and that they were enjoying themselves!
Camille left and then so did kellie..kellie didnt want to leave..she thoroughly enjoyed herself there! she said it was SO good for her to be there- its really helped her!! jon had a great day - im glad she was able to see him happy like that..and doing so many new things!!!
She then left and so it was me and kristen thompson..this is the first time she had actually gotten to see him - she said to him .."i now jon is your man christina..but i just really want to hold his hand!" jon laughed and said its theraputic for him - so go right a head and hold his hand and move it around..whatever she wanted..it would only help him!
soon then sandra came in to spend the night with him..he's going to take some stuff to clear his stuffy nose so that he doesnt have to take the anxiety medication..he did NOT like the hallucinations and all that went with it!! so hopefully it works and he's able to blissfully get to sleep...
they say he's going to loma linda TOMORROW!!!! so if your going to go visit him..make sure you know just exactly where he is at! were all excited to see where his new digs are going to be..we heard they have plasma tvs in the rooms! that it all got remodeled..so we shall see!!
jon had to laugh..he said since i put the request out for gummy bears and twizzlers..he now has like a years supply of it!!! so were all good on that stuff- he says hes going to have to be careful..the blood sugar level will go up again! he was as high as 156..then this am was 113 and this afternoon down to 86...but after the candy..oops back to 121!!! so he'll have to be careful about that...
Well he's doing great for visitors..just make sure you know where he is at..his brother mark hales is flying in from utah tomorrow at 7am to be with him during the day...then i will go later during the day..got to get jons car over to the DMV to finish up the registration on it..then jons dad will come stay the night..jons brother chad is driving down with his family of 4 boys on friday carpooling with sheldon and scott in my truck (6 hour drive) and will stay with him..and then jons sister kristi and her hubby will fly in and be with him for a while too..he's so lucky!!
well its 2 minutes till midnite! im off to bed..thanks again everyone!!

the afternoon is even better

I called my sister in law kellie at 3pm after i slept for an update...she said he's doing great..and that the PT people came in and worked with him.. he even sat up off the edge of the bed again (of course with their help) for 17 MINUTES!!!!!!!!! can you EVEN believe that!?!??!?!?! they were totallly amazed!!!!! jon is SUCH a fighter!!!!! he's one of those types that thru this process..they will say "okay lets do this 5 times"..and he'll do it 7 times-he doesnt settle for the "basic"..he pushes himself..he ALWAYS has and ALWAYS will..he doesnt do anything mediocore in life...
they also had him lying on his left side and he slept like that for 30 minutes..it was great!
he ate more of his lunch today..and he's just been enjoying spending time with kellie and helping her to prepare for her politicial science midterm exam tomorrow..thank you for everyone to allow him time to rest today..
i hope i dont hurt anyones feelings here about what i am going to say next..but here it goes -- please know i appreciate all the encouraging things and uplifting calls and emails...there are a lot of people who know people that have been in the same injury types as jon..and they'd all like to come see jon and tell their stories to encourage him...we feel that at this time..jon REALLY wants to go thru this with a fresh mind..and not to be comparing his trial with anyone elses..its like having a baby..each time you deliver your baby..its COMPLETLEY different from the one before..atleast in my case..all 4 of my deliveries were totally different..and totally different from the next woman..i LOVED that i got to experience it myself..and didnt try to compare it to anyone elses...jons the same way about his injury, recovery, rehabilitation, everything..he is SOOOOOOOO positive..its his nature...he's even MORE faithful..its his nature...he tells me over and over..im so excited to see what lessons and the growth he'll make thru this trial..big and small miracles are happenning to him..there are guys in there STILL struggling..the fact that jon is doing so much already in LESS then ONE WEEK of his injury??? that is TRULY a miracle!!!!! and ALL OF YOU made that possible..together our prayers, fasting, strength and MORE IMPORTANTLY our faith - our faith that any of this would even matter..that any of this would even work...well my family and friends..simply put...it has...we are all so blessed to be able to witness this and be a part of it and to see it happen like this in this time in our lives..dont forget about this experience..its as much YOUR experience as it is ours...remember the feelings we are all having..they are VERY real and very tender...HF does love us, he does hear us, and he is real..
anyway - i say this so that anyone that goes into see him at the hospital..doesnt say "well i know someone and now he's walking and doing great..or he's in a wheelchair and has a happy life"..jon is SERIOUSLY focused with HF's help to experience his own trial..he's so encouraged by his faith, the Gospel, the priesthood, his wife, his family and his friends...
anyway - i hope that made sense as to what i was trying to convey..our biggest fear would be that he gets so sad and frustrated because he cant do this or that..but someone else could..he's ready to just take it one day at a time and experience his own recovery..
if sis. dalton is reading this from my ward...please contact us so that we can utitilize you to talk to our older 2 maybe 3 girls..we have been careful NOT to say "daddy might not walk again"..were not sure if they can wrap their minds around that quite yet..but we dont want to lead them thru this blindly..im just doing my best to follow the spirit as to what to say to my children..so far they are doing great..as we speak they are at erins house who lives on an acre and they are out there finding lizards for jacob pendeltons birthday on saturday! too cute!! that has always been our dream to live on an acre so that rachel can go be her "tomboy" little self!! she's just in HEAVEN over there im sure!!! thank you erin and bonnie for letting her play there..its right up her alley!!!
so the plan for tonite is sandra jons mother will stay thru the nite..using my technique to help him to stay asleep..then i will come during the day (tracy im good now we've got it worked out-maybe we can do half and half type thing)..then robert will come stay thru the nite tomorrow..then the rest of jons family is ANXIOUS to "hang with their bro" as they say!! the family will be able to do it clear thru tuesday of next week..im SOOOOO incredibly BLESSED to be apart of the hales family..as tears are streaming down my face right now..where would we be without them...the love in that family is SO geniune and SO very real..they were taught the correct principle of love..as our friends get to know his parents and siblings..thats one of the first things they say...what an amazing family he has..the love is so real!
last night i felt inspired to bring jons patriartichal blessing and read it to him..he was so overjoyed..as he said "honey, thats why i love you and married you! you follow the spirit and do exactly what your prompted to do...i really wanted to read that too!" where would we be right now without the Gospel..true knowledge of our life before, now and after..its SO comforting and puts jon and i at such ease and contentment..may we honor our pioneers who struggled for us to enjoy the feelings of peace and contentment by following the commandments..and doing what we know to be true and correct...

Oh what a beautiful morning! -(oklahoma style)

Ohhhhhhhh what a beautiful morning!!! thank you to rebecca from Huntington Beach who drove ALL the way to my house to give me a CD with that song on it..i also used the blanket last nite as i stayed over night with jon...

last night i came to jons room...his dad was still there taking care of him..he didnt eat much dinner..didnt feel too hungry he says...jon hendrickson was there along with camille hughes...jons father and jon hendrickson gave my jon a blessing..afterwards...holding back tears in his eyes jon hendrickson told my jon.."ya know i had a couple premonitions...one being that i would take part in a blessing for you ..which JUST happened..and the other that you were walking with a cane.." my jon was excited to hear about that!!

they soon left and it was just me and jon..we waited CLEAR till 1230am last nite before they gave him the anxiety medication which takes 30 minutes to set in..and then once he had that 10 minutes later they gave him the breathing treatment..which he says when he does he can literally feel the oxygen going clear thru his arms and out his toes even! he loves it! it put him right to sleep and he slept solid for 40 minutes..then he woke up almost in a panick..asking "where am i..whats going on..how come i cant move"..i was careful not to startle him or tell him he was in a hospital ..from an accident..things of that nature...instead i told him.."your alright..im right here with you in bed...were sleeping..breathe in thru your nose and out thru your mouth like this" ...and helped him to follow my pattern - thanks tracy for the tip! totally worked!!!!!!! he would do this every 10 minutes..wake up a bit startled..but i calmly talked him back into sleep..he then moved to every 20 minutes..then 30 minutes..then one hour at a time..each time less and less startled..i would just keep saying.."jon your doing great..im proud of you...we're just sleeping..im right by your side here..breathe thru your nose"..he would only be awake for 5-10 seconds and then boom..back to deep sleep...keep in mind this is the FIRST time he's made it to deep sleep or REM sleep since LAST wednesday!!! so you can imagine falling completely asleep and then walking up to feeling what he's feeling- its a bit scary!!! but that night i asked HF to help me to know the things to say and do to help him stay calm..which was CRUCIAL for him...HF stepped in and i was provided with the right things to say...whatever came to my mind..i simply said quietly and calmly...he slept CLEAR till 730am!!!!!!!!!!! it was AMAZING!! hence my title "oh what a beautiful morning"..he said he was SOOOOO very grateful for me-- he was SOOO happy he could get "real sleep" for once!!! he's so scared at nite..but not last nite..
this am he felt super groggy..he THINKS its because of that anxiety medicine..but it had been 9 hours..i told him its probably because he had REAL sleep..i myself can HARDLY get myself to wake up!!! i started him eating his breakfast and moving things around..he didnt want to be sluggish and grougy for the PT guys coming in..they wanted to put him in a wheel chair today - so he didnt want to be out for that!!
the nurses came in and moved things around for him..he could even tell you which way his toes were going..he cant move them..but if someone else can..he knows...same thing with his knees..he can tell you which one it is and what your doing with it - its awesome!!

so today he's pretty sleepy..it should be an okay day to see him..he is there now with my sister in law kellie hales..i told kellie to not be shy about letting people know if he's not up for visitors..jon can only take so much..and he's WAY too nice to send anyone home...if anyone does go down today PLEASE bring him gummy bears or worms or licorice...something to help keep his mouth wet...he's still very dry..and thats why he wakes up at nite..and then he just gets startled..i talked to the doctor about getting him something for his dry nose..that maybe if he just had something to help with that..something basic like sudafed or anything like that..he could probably get to sleep without the anxiety medication..the only reason he woke up last nite was because his mouth was dry..

well im THRILLED that we had such a good nite together..im now going to go take a shower and hit the sack..im totally exhausted!!!

thank you everyone again for all your prayers, emails, phone calls, cards, service, just everything..he tells me.."i cant believe this many people even like me!?!? im just jon!!" but i tell him..he's not JUST jon...he's so much more..

its been interesting to go thru this journey so far..to be so let down so so so many times..it seems HF always does it that way..you get pushed till you give up and surrender to whatever the possibility lies ahead..then boom a simple small miracle happens..and your encouraged to trust in the Lord..thats really how my entire life has been..i always say to myself..well here comes the part where i go to the BITTER end...and then HF steps in..like that saying "after every storm..there comes a rainbow" i truly feel that this beautiful morning...

i CANT believe it!!!!!!

WHAT a day today has turned out to be!!!! everyone - your prayers did EXACTLY what we needed them to do - to the core!!! thank you so VERY VERY VERY MUCH!!!!

as of now he's still breathing on his own..he gets a breathing treatment that helps to open up his lungs and it actually puts him to sleep!! he's so relaxed now and comfortable!!! no more oxygen..no more IV..no more needles! its just my jon in a bed with the neck brace- LOVE HIM!!!!

while i was there the PT guy from loma linda came in and accessed him and said he is the kind of person and canidadate that we all go to school and do this for!!! hes awesome and i cant WAIT to see his progress!!!! he's going to rock!!!! his physic is perfect, he has the best family and friend support he's EVER seen, and jon has the best attitude and "ready to roll" attitude- he just LOVES it!! the PT guy can HARDLY wait!!! he said that jon would be in loma linda for 4-6 weeks..thats how much the insurance will cover..and then if he's doing good he'll be coming HOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

even the nurses were ALL CRYING!!!!! they are so touched by jon!!!! they said he's one patient they'll remember their whole lives!! theyve been praying for him too!!

then some other PT people came in and had him sit up on the bed to look out the window..he kept looking at me and telling me how beautiful i was..im so lucky!! the PT people couldnt BELIEVE that he could ALREADY sit up like that with minimal support and NOT throw up or get dizzy or want to faint!!!!!!!! they were literally amazed!!!!!! they said this is HIGHLY unusual that he can do any of this!!!!!
they were moving his leg up and closer to his chest and he said i think youve bent my right knee and are moving it- the PT guy was so shocked! he was SO excited!!!
they all just cant wait to transfer him -- they say friday but they are all pushing for him to go WAY WAY earlier! they are all just "ready to roll"!!! its become our motto i think!!!

his dad is still with him..im here at home trying to be with my girls..i will go in tonite to be with him thru the nite..im just SO happy for him - you can see how his entire countenance has changed- he's exuding PURE sweet happiness! i just cant even tell you!!

the bishop came in with his wife and he and jons dad gave him a blessing..it was wonderful...

chad thompson our EQP JUST came by and took my keys to go get that smog check - so ryan its taken care of- i cant believe how quickly things get done!!!

well im going to have my first meal in 5 days with my girls- thank you all again so very much!!!! im in heaven!!!

The prayers are working

Christina called and asked me to post an update, so I will do my best.



It's 3:00 p.m. and the prayers are working. Jon was given anxiety medicine earlier today. When they gave him the medication they took out the oxygen tubes and put on an oxygen mask. He was able to fall asleep, but the oxygen mask dried him out and he woke up choking and gasping for water. They decided to remove all the oxygen and the I.V. since he is eating so well. Jon's dad put in some classical music and Jon was able to sleep peacefully.
The physical therapist moved Jon to the edge of the bed to sit up and Jon said it felt like his head was sitting on top of a water balloon.
The Chaplin comes in every morning and this morning he asked if he could say a prayer. Jon's dad was holding his hand and then during the prayer Jon lifted his arm and folded them (exciting progress).
Jon was able to get his breathing treatment to 1750, yesterday afternoon it was 750. Jon looks great and Christina was so excited to walk into the room and see Jon without any tubes.
Thanks for all the support and prayers. It is comforting to Jon and his family to know they have so many people to lean on. Keep up the good work and let's make sure we are here for their family as the months go on. So pace yourselves!

need help

i JUST remembered that i need someone to go get a smog check on jons vehicle and then i can get the new tags for it..its due in march..so were still okay..so if anyone is available to run it thru a smog check that'd be wonderful..im not sure if it has to be the owner or what...

thanks!


i also need our health insurance agent Williamn Pollard to be on top of our insurance..and make sure thats all going smooth and to help me understand what is covered and what isnt and if there are any issues with that...i believe mark mckell would be the best contact to get Mr. Pollards cell number..
thanks again

Rough Night

Well its now 1215pm...i didnt get to sleep until 2am last nite..constantly thinking about changes in our home, our lives, with eachother etc..it was comforting to have sarah sleep in my bed with me..we are going to have the older 2 girls switch each nite so that i am not sleeping in that big master bedroom so alone..it was really comforting to have a warm body next to me!!
I just got done talking to jons mom who is actually asleep in her car in my drive way!! she says shes just so tired and super comfy in there she's staying put for a bit...
she told me jon had a horrible night last nite..his major issue is STILL his breathing..he's having MAJOR MAJOR anxiety about his breathing -if ANYONE knows ANYTHING about this - PLEASE email me and give me extra tips as to what we can do..were leaving the lights on during the nite a little..he fears that when he sleeps he stops breathing..which sometimes he does..and it totally scares him so he's getting anxiety attacks and his heart rate jumps up..they DID give him some anxiety medication to see if that would help to relax his nerves about all this..we'll see if that helps anything..but again he had no sleep thru the nite..
its VERY frustrating for me as his wife to be going home each nite SO hopeful only to wake in the morning to find out how bad it was...UGH!!! i just want to scream!!!
They did give sandra results of the MRI taken..and it shows that the spinal cord is dead at the C5 where he was injured..and told that he would not be able to use his legs...she did say that he feels the pressure on them so that has to mean something! but of course doctors give you the worst cause science scenerio and the HF takes it from there..so were still hopeful..and we'll work with what ever is dealt our way..even if it means no legs..
we did put in a request to have him transferred to loma linda..it was either that or corona or san bernadino..we picked loma linda because brad carlson has friends that can look out for him there and we've heard so much about loma linda..its about 30 minutes i believe from where i am at near redlands..
he STILL has his temp of 100.5...so it hasnt subsided..there was going to be talk of getting him on an antibotic for fear of that starting the pnemonia..
sandra did talk to him about the swelling in his feet and was told to keep working with them..rubbing them..elevating them more..working his legs so the swelling goes down...
as of right now PLEASE PLEASE with all your might pray that his anxiety goes away..and that the medication works in his favor and he's able to rest...and continue with better progress...he is in good hands with his dad right now..im so grateful!
i am SO BUSY at home..ive been working with scott and sheldon who are at the GDC convention..jon set up meetings with different people to discuss our business..so im trying to help that continue to be facilitated and in motion..
i now need to start the paper work for the disability insurance..then i will go down to the hospital to talk to dawn about loma linda and my insurance and what i need to be doing...
one thing at a time for me..i HATE to see jon suffering like this ..its just tearing me apart in every direction of my fragile heart...thats where HF steps in to fill in those holes with his comfort and peace and the love of my family and friends..each one of you seals up the holes in my heart..i thank you for that..
keep up the prayers- as jon says- "sall good...we'll lick this!"

Today ended better then it started...

seems like each day ends up better then it started--probably best for me so i can get some sleep...
last nite jons mother sandra stayed with him at the hospital..im so very grateful! i woke this am at 730- took my shower and quickly ate a bowl of cereal and headed out the door..again very anxious to see jon and find out how things went thru the night.
seems like he had a pretty good night. The staff was very friendly and happy to let Sandra stay the night. That morning they gave him his usual pills..one of them being the anti-depressant..Sandra and jon flatly refused and told the nurses he would NOT be taking the anti-depressant and that it NEEDS to be taken off his chart immediatley! The doctor needs to be the one to have that removed so we talked to him to get that taken care of ...we dont want to not be watching and have that get slipped into him.
Sandra gave me the run down..informing me that the doctor said he could be out of this hospital and transfered to loma linda for physical therapy as soon as the end of this week!! i was in shock!! great news!!
sadly jons still having the same issues with his breathing..he was able to sleep as well as sandra here and there thru the night...the oxygen EVEN WITH the humidifier thing they run it thru still keeps his nose and eyes and everything SO dry -its very frustrating for jon and his nose is so congested, irritated and dry..its very difficult for him to breathe..its almost like when you cant breath- like someone is sitting on you and your struggling..and you begin to panick..and cant get yourself to breath..its similiar to that kind of feeling (thank you tracy for explaining it to me!!) he would get SUCH HIGH anxiety about breathing!!! right before lunch time im able to calm him down a bit and clear out his nose and it WORKS..only lasts for about 10 minutes but he says i had the magic touch and he's truly in heaven now!!! he was SOOOOOOOOOOO happy!!! he ate almost his entire lunch and was just tickled to death that he could breath!! then those lovely precious 10 minutes are up..and its back to ground zero again...
i continued to try ALLLLLLL day to try to get back to those heavenly 10 minutes of great breathing..all to no avail..i was on my feet i think literally the ENTIRE time (12 hours) i was there...today he didnt even sleep one bit...
i try to do a lot of stretching to his arms..i had at one point taken his arm and put his fingers on his forhead..he said THAT was the wierdest thing!! he said it was like it was someone elses hand on his head!!
the physical therapist comes Dan who had a dirt bike accident and is now in a wheel chair not able to feel from his waist down..very cool guy! he does some physical therapy with jon and tells me all the things i can do with him during the day and that i can work out his legs and feet too...he says that he should start having his therapy already everyday!! he informs us that there are 2 guys upstairs with jons same injury that are STILL in ICU --its been 30 days for them both and neither of them can even get off the respitory machine!! the fact that jon had his accident thursday..followed by surgery..NEVER having to use the respitory machine...NOT having any pain medication..feeling some touch and pressure that he does ONLY 4 days after is truly amazing! he is SO excited about jons "ready to roll" attitude! its making all the difference - i told he LITERALLY has THOUSANDS of people praying for him!! and not just for him to get better but very specific things!!!
jon sadly is still just very EXHAUSTED from this breathing issue...he now begins to get a fever of 101.5...the doctor is worried that pnemonia is starting to settle in..they tell him he should try the breathing treatment again to have that open up his lungs for more air...to keep water out of it..and to keep from his lungs collapsing..thats a common thing to have happen especially when your just lying down and not moving..meanwhile im realizing how quickly im beginning to feel weak and so very tired myself..i had high hopes that i could stay all day and all night..right then his mom sandra called and said she was able to go home..take a shower and slept til 3pm and she's feeling awake and rested and anxious to help jon thru the night if i needed..i simply said - that would be WONDERFUL!! i cant make it - im afraid i'll be TOO cranky with jon tonite if i stay!!! i was SO relieved!!
soon there after rachel and sarah came in..at first rachel (8) is VERY timid..on the other hand sarah (6) my "no holds bar" child jumps right on the chair like nothing happened and starts gabbing away!! they had made posters with an 8x10 photo i had taken of them earlier in the year (thats framed in individual frames on my living room wall) along with a message for dad to hang in his room...rachel starts to warm up to the new enviornment..i was careful to cover jon with a blanket from the neck down..i was worried about them seeing so many needles and tubes coming out of jons left hand! we talked a little..they shared their posters..SO CUTE!! thanks bonnie and tracy and who ever else helped to make that happen!! ive got them taped up!! i try to start the conversations by asking them what happened in THEIR day..sarah begins to tell me that scott took them to petco and he put a lizard on sarahs head-THANKS scott!!!! and then rachel tells me that scott put a taranchula on her head - THANKS A LOTTTT SCOTT!!!!!!!! dont worry - some day i will pay you back when im watching one of YOUR kids!!!! hehehe
i thought rachel would ask a jillion questions..but she only asked like 3..one being..is dad really going to be in here for 12 weeks?? i said no..hopefully only till friday..then to a different place..then we'll see how long...soon after..they were done with dad and more interested in those 17 brownies and 5 dozen cookies i have!! i notice that jons having a hard time trying to breath still..so i tell the girls its time to get going home and i'd be there soon...
he does the breathing treatment and begins to notice that its working! he starts to feel more confident about his breathing..he has to breath into this thingy - im too tired to explain! but all day he's only been able to get to 750..after ONE treatment he shoots it up to almost 1250!!!!! i teach him to breath not so much with his stomach and diaphram..but also make his chest get big..he starts to do that and realizes the difference that makes...he says its just SO wierd that he cant tell when he's breathing! he literally has to think about it! especially to think about making BIG DEEP breaths so he doesnt get a collapsed lung..he's feeling optimistic and so i feed him dinner...i called my sister in law celene..it was her bday - HAPPY BDAY CELENE!! jon sings an ENTIRE bday song to her and she told him that was the BEST bday present she's ever received!!! jon was in SUCH a great mood- it was the old jon we all love and adore!!! he happily ate almost his entire GROSS CAFETERIA dinner..i noticed there was a bowl of fruit..and asked if he wanted that- he LOVESSSSSSSSS fruit- so he was in heaven!!! breathing and able to eat fruit!!! i accidently plopped one out of the bowl while trying to feed him..he laughed..i told him "im sorry- im kinda new at this!!" we had a good chuckle!
jon gets his tempature checked again and its only down to 100.5...they give him more tylenol and another breathing treatment and AGAIN stick rubber gloves that are stuffed with ice and COLD WATER and THEN they stick it under his arm pits!!! YIKES thats SO cold!! he says luckily he doesnt even feel a thing!!!
soon after russell and tracy santos stopped in..jon is pumped about his breathing and asks russell to do his breathing thing and gets his number up to 1250 again with no problem and ALMOST to 1500!!! now he's just "showing off" i told russell!!
poor tracy had NEVER been able to come into see jon yet this whole time! she was so excited to see him...russell made his FAMOUS chocolate chip cookies!! i now have about 6 dozen cookies, 17 brownies and kelly's rocky road to eat while im helping jon!! jon was in such a good spirits..so happy..we had good laughs together..tracy and russell told us of EVERYONE in our ward and stake who are offering to do things...anything...so many people care about us right now - its amazing...
then sandra comes in and i give her the update and tell her how things are going..i tell her that jon didnt sleep ONCE while i was with him due to his anxiety over breathing..but i think we've got things under control now so he should HOPEFULLY sleep all nite long!!! the nurses got him all set up to sleep for the nite..i gave him a kiss on the lips and headed out for the nite..sandra informed me that robert had no appt's for tomorrow so he wanted to spend the day with jon..again im SO grateful because im so very exhausted!! it will be special because tomorrow is robert's (jons dad) birthday..i told jon to MAKE SURE he wished him a happy bday when his dad got there!!! sandra also informed me that she could again stay tomorrow nite if i needed..and that kelly (scotts wife) could stay wed morning..and i could stay wed nite..and we'd just need someone for thursday during the day- tracy has offered to do so..so i think thats the plan..and then sandra said the rest of jons family is able to stay thursday nite clear thru tuesday! i was so excited!! i talked to jon about how he would feel..i told him i want to do as much as i can..but there might be times where im just not capable..and would he feel more comfortable with family helping or people from the ward or what..he said at this time..family would be the best for him..so thats what we are doing..later on it might change..but as of now..that is his wishes and what he feels most comfortable with...so thats what we shall do...
earlier today...he told me he was SO sorry for whats happened and the burden he has put on me..i told him i loved him like CRAZY and wouldnt want to be ANYWHERE else but RIGHT next to him..he's my rock and my world..i told him that the past few years ive probably been preparing for this! just last year he was commuting from riverside to santa monica 2.5 hours EACH WAY for work..in the beginning (first 6 months or so)he was just living over there in santa monica (literally sleeping on his office floor because rent was SO expensive over there in the LA area!)monday -friday while i was at home with a 6 week old newborn and 3 other small children..but i made it work..i reminded him..even back then..we didnt have any other options...thats just the "way it was"..and i knew that and just made things happen..what good was it for me to complain! life could be SO much worse!! i just learned to work with what was infront of me...4 kids at home alone 5 days a week..being a single mom! Heavenly Father watched over me everyday and i was blessed by that! im in the same situation again...this is whats before me..i have NO other options..nothing is going to change..its the "way it is"..we just have to roll with it and do what we have to do! again it could be SO much worse!!! with Heavenly Father..we'll do great! i have no doubt in my mind..whether it be you walking again ..or whether it be you in a wheel chair - it doesnt matter-- you are still you and i love YOU! and that means the most to me right now...
im reminded of a lesson i learned from jons dad (robert)a few years ago..we all have trials in our life..some ask "why me?"..some say "i can handle this"..and some say.."with HF's help and power i can reach the end of this trial AND im ready and grateful for the lesson that i will learn from this"..robert compared it to the 3 degrees of Glory..the telestial state being (why me?)..the terrestial state being (i can handle this)..and the Celestial state being (with HF's help and power i can reach the end of this trial AND im ready and grateful for the lesson that i will learn from this)...i believe in this concept with ALL of my heart..this concept has helped me through so much and again will help me now in what is now my BIGGEST trial ever in my ENTIRE life...i have no doubt in that..i am grateful to have the knowledge of a Heavenly Father who loves me and jon..and i am grateful and ready for the lesson that he and i will learn together through this journey that has now begun..on thursday march 15th, 2005 our lives changed for ever..i believe for the better! and thats exciting!!
tomorrow i have things to do...i need to prepare papers for the disabilty insurance..which reminded me that the hospital called jons room and mentioned that the computers showed we had NO insurance!! i told her that i have his card sitting in my purse but no one asked or seemed to need it..we have 100% insurance coverage THANKFULLY when we started our business..we did the right thing and made sure we had good health insurance coverage!!
i will also need to call on getting a wheel chair and a bed for here at the home..i have to laugh..sheldon and his friends said they were going to "pimp out" jons wheel chair! put some spinners on the wheels..get a really good paint job..a sweet stereo system - the whole nine yards!!!
im grateful that robert can be there tomorrow so i can spend a little bit of time with the girls and get paper work started..check on bills..check on our business (scott, chad and sheldon were able to get into the convention center for GDC and got our booth all set up and ready to go!!!)..check our insurance to make sure all is running smoothly with that..call loma linda hospital to see what i will need to be prepared for..call the hospital to see what my next steps are.. i LOVEEEE to learn about all this and to be prepared so that jon is not frightened at all the changes and he can learn from me about all the next steps...
the physical therapist quietly asked me if i lived in a one story or 2 story..i said 2 story..he then asked if i had a bedroom downstairs..i said yes and a bathroom! ive been thinking about how i can change things around..knocking out a cabinet area to open up the bathroom...poor jon he JUST built a wrap around desk in his office which is the downstairs bedroom - but oh well..life goes on..i will need to take a closer look at my house and find out what measurements the doors will need to be and things of that nature..its a lot to think about ..but one thing at a time for me!
i want to say thank you to all those that brought groceries over!!! i opened the fridge and it was full of stuff!!!! thank you to those that have been bringing dinners..its been SO nice to not have to stop off at del taco coming home at 1030 each nite..and to just know when i get home theres some food in the fridge for me to eat!!!
as for now..the prayers we need are that jons breathing gets better..more specifically that he can learn HOW to breath correctly..that his mind will begin to work together with his body to breath the correct way..that his lungs will fill with air..he says when he breaths deep..he can actually FEEL tingling going from his chest clear thru his arms and out his fingertips..he says almost like he can feel the oxygen going thru his arms! also pray that his fever will break..and that his lung wont collapse..that the signs of pnemonia will disappear...he almost has to learn how to breath again..so pray that he does..and that it will come more natural to him..also pray that the swelling in his feet subside..they are severly swollen near his ankles...and that we as his family will have sufficient strength to be able to work out his arms, hands, legs and feet..its get very hard to lift a leg that is SO heavy!! these are the things that are pressing on my mind for him..
know that the nurses are WONDERFUL to him over there - complete 360 from the ICU!! were SOOO grateful!!! jon is sure to be SO nice to them all - he continues to tell them "he's so sorry" that they have to move him around..or bath him..or whatever else..and hes always saying "yes sir" or "yes ma'am"..if anyone knows jon..thats just his thing!! nobody says those things anymore! so people get caught off guard when he does that!!! they all have immediatley said.."oh no need to call me ma'am! where were you raised???" he tells them "the good ol' OC..but he just had very good parents that taught him to have respect for other people"...once they are all in there..they all start calling eachother sir and ma'am! its quite funny actually!! the nurses and staff just LOVE to be in there with jon because he is SO upbeat and optimistic about things and so respectful and grateful for all their work!!!!
i know so many of you want to stop by and visit jon..there is not really a waiting room like their was before (our old waiting room was such a highlight! i LOVED and miss it so much now!!!!!!)..somedays jon is good and up for visitors and some days he is just plain tired and cant even talk...i am not shy about letting you know if its a "good day or bad day"..you are free to call my cell or come in and ill let you know which day it is...hopefully with his breathing under control..some good rest..he'll be up for visitors..its just a day by day kind of thing..i also fear having a stream of visitors outside his door...just remember this will be a long recovery and that he will need visitors for a very long time!
thank you again to each and everyone of you!!! for your constant prayer in your heart for my dear jon...tears are streaming down my face...that makes for only my 3rd cry for today..i still cant believe that this happened to my sweet jon..im so grateful for his example thru this...im so grateful for all of our family and friends that have helped in countless..countless..countless ways..i cant even begin to write them all down! between food being brought, emails, babysitting, cookies, phone calls (sorry if you just get my voicemail PLEASE still leave a message- i listen to them all! it helps me to keep going thru the day!!!!), countless people offering their help in anyway that they can..im so lucky to have all of you such honorable people to help us right now..how blessed we are..so very blessed...we'll get thru this ..ALL of us will..one day at a time!! miracles have happened before our eyes-its a true testimony of the Gospel and how each of us can truly become as Christ through our service for one another...thank you

back from the wedding

Today we did the church thing and then we headed down for megans wedding..it was nice..started to rain a little so the minister skipped a LOT of pages and cut to the good stuff- WHICH WAS NICE!!! it was FREEZZZINNGGG!!! 48 degrees freezing!!
megan looked so beautiful and her hubby..and so did megans parents- her mom robyn looked GREAT!! i thought i hope i look as good as she does when my girls start getting married!! for some reason i ALWAYS cry at weddings! im such a dork!! i was SO teary eyed when megans dad john walked her down the isle..you could just tell they were BOTH trying to hold it together!!!
all in all it was a good day..sundays always seem to be great days!

Happy Bday Seth, Celene and Robert!!

Today we went to OC for a bday bash at the Hales...we celebrated seths, celene's and dad's bday's...we had TONSSSSSSSSS of mexican! i was in HEAVEN!!!!
we got to visit with the Goodmans and get to know them and their family.. we also played Apples 2 Apples and OF COURSE kellie won!!!

Today i got up and ran with jon while rachel babysat for us...she was bummed that we only paid her 50 cents though - then i showered and headed off to go shopping..but sadly came home with NOTHING!!! i was looking for a black dress for katie and marks weddings...oh well..ill have to keep looking!

tomorrow i sub sarah's primary class...then we leave around 230pm for our cousins wedding which is going to be FREEEEEEEEEEEZZZZINGGGGGGGGG!!!

well its now 1030 and were STILL at the hales! jons playing the new xbox with scott...the football game said 15 minutes which we KNOW means 45!!!!!

Its official AGAIN!!

It's NOW official!! i can FINALLY say they are engaged!! Katie and Seth Goodman got engaged LAST NITE!!! he took katie on a scavenger hunt- it was TOO CUTE! They are both down this weekend for the cousins wedding so it will be neat to meet him - ive NEVER even SEEN seth! his bday is on saturday so all the family and his family will celebrate together- i think the Goodmans might be shocked at how many Hales there really are of us- and were quite loud!!
Seth and Katie are going to marry at the San Deigo Temple June 23rd then leave the next day with the 31 of us Hales to Miami for the carribean cruise- SERIOUSLY its going to be SO fun having 2 newlywed sets on the ship!!! were already handing out sign up sheets to knock on their doors EVERY 30 minutes!!! if you have any ideas- pass them on!!!

Its official!!

Mark and Jennifer will be getting married june 17th in the Newport Beach temple!
They will then dock a ship with the rest of us 31 Hales Clan on a cruise to the western carribean..it will be a LOT of fun teasing the "newlyweds"!

Im getting better!!!

So today i went farther in my running! so excited!!! i made it to 1.5 miles!! im really proud of myself for sticking to it! now to get a 50 dollar sports bra because my weapons of mass destruction need something expensive to keep them from hurting myself or anyone else when i run....its an Enell bra..oprah's favorite things..so it SHOULD work!!
im SO proud because my great friend kristen made it to the mile mark today for her first time!! what an accomplishment!! i know your reading krisen - ROCK ON GIRL!!! can you believe how FAR we've come!!!
This Saturday is the r/s 5k walk/run...im anxious to see how far ill go..probably JUST my 1.5-but hey i'll proudly take that!! then its a ward picnic after..then im meeting my friends from my 6pack days (my friends -there were six of us and the guys called us the 6pack)..so that will be fun to catch up...
Girls should be home anytime from school - off to do homework!

new ideas for FHE!

SO we attended our adult session of stake conference friday nite after we hit the Mexican Kitchen for dinner YUM!!
They talked to us about missionary work, and focused on senior couples serving and now is the time to prepare for that- not to wait till "were old"..now is the time to study, prepare our finances, work on our health and staying in shape, etc..
they also handed those that were attending that nite the missionary book "Preach my Gospel"..they had worked it out so that it could give you 52 lessons using just that book! i was SOOO excited!! so now i have my year's worth of fhe lessons all PLANNED OUT!!!
they said they wanted us to use this book as much as we could so that by the time our sons and daughters were serving missions..this book would be like the back of their hand essentially..they would really truly know and understand the gospel before they even entered the MTC which is what happens sometimes.. we sometimes tend to know the "surface" of the Gospel..but not the good ol' meaty stuff! atleast thats my case!!!!!!!!
i started tonite as our first nite- its great! its only a few short paragraphs and has scriptures that go along with that topic..im excited to share!
they also talked that fhe, family scripture and prayer are the things that are REALLY going to hold a family together in this day and age..that is SOOO true!! i totally believe that!! they also encouraged us to not use fhe as "family time" or to go see johnny play his basketball game..but to make it spiritual..back in the old days..the children would gather around their father as he would ask them questions about their lives and how they were doing and talk a bit about spiritual matters..they told us that that just doesnt happen quite like it use to...so maybe with this book with its 52 weeks outlined..it will inspire us to do so...
you can also make the lessons age appropriate which is nice!!
anyway- those are my thoughts this weekend...we had stake conference via satelliate with pres. monson speaking it was SO good of course! in our area the satelliate went out due to a solar flare..we joked with jons parents that actually what HAPPENED was pres. hinkely came on and announced the 2nd coming - we were more righteous so we got to get an actual date!! so funnY!!

my lovely girls

here they are - SO CUTE ARENT THEY!!!

Time to head out

well its 330pm on friday - i got my running in - im tempting myself to do it EVERYDAY! we'll see how far i get on that though!!!
i need to get the girls upstairs and start curling their hair so they are somewhat cute for the bridal shower..then they are all excited for their "new outfits" to wear- i LOVE HAVING GIRLS!!! then we'll head down to OC for the bridal shower- one of jons cousins megan is getting married- she is sandra's niece...she's getting married next sunday! its just a small family shower - so it will be fun...jon, scott and robert will go do something mainly- like italian for dinner and some chick flick - AHAHAH actually they'll probably just go browsing at fry's electronics!!
Im glad the rain has stopped and the sun is coming out -its suppose to be a nice evening -off to get ready!

TAXES ARE DONE!!!!

YAAAAAAAAA our taxes are DONE!!!!!!!!! im SOO excited!!! and its a GOOD thing we did it because when it finished printing out ..our business ones said mail before march 15th!!!! YIKES!! didnt know about that?!??!!?
were getting a NICE chunk back again from the government --although this will probably be the last year we get such a big chunk back..so we'll enjoy it..we'll use it to keep living off of while we continue getting the business going..and we got paid from Midway so we'll use that to keep the business afloat as well...
"afloat"-- HAHAHAh amie that just made me laugh!!!!
well my house needs a GOOD cleaning..so ill probably do that tomorrow..we have that bridal shower were going to with the girls...i bought them each a new outfit to wear- all matching even anna! ill be sure to take a pic and post it- i actually have TONS of pictures but havent posted them yet!! i will though i promise!!
well girls are home now from school..so now its homework time..

March 1st

i went running and made it to my goal point again -thats always a bonus! i did a few errands with jon this morning..then cleaned up the kitchen and thats about it!!
were actually working on our business taxes UGH!!
i have on real plans for tonite- just the good ol' boob tube!
and becca im REALLY loving this sand color!! i think im getting tanner because of my running so i LOVE the whole natural/tan look the sand color gives me!! SO THANKS! ill be doing the raisin sunday for church...
amie ive been doing the cetaphil yesterday and today- i like it so far...i used less lotion this time..it was nice...ill keep it up to see how it does...i LOVE that it actually removes my makeup!
becca my friend is selling arbornne..its EXPENSIVE!! like 180 or something..and yes amie there are like 8 freaking steps! who wants that?!?!?! HOWEVER i DO like that they give you 45 days to try it and then if you dont like it you get your FULL money back..thats tempting to me...
well sadly jons done with his phone call...so it means back to taxes for me..although the phone call was good..its more consulting/contract work..which means more money to keep us and the business going ..it will be nice once it all gets going!

first attempt!

so LAST NITE WAS SO FUN!!! YA FOR SARAH!!! although i didnt see a WHOLE lot of chemistry between them - which is wierd..but they just aren't public people...im the same way..i dont like pda!!! i was SOOO glad he picked sarah - cuz i was SOO worried!!
so this am i did the cetaphil thing...i like it so far..ill have to give it a week to see what i think about it..i guess i bought the lotion vs the cream?!?!? i put the lotion on - a TON! put it seemed to have soaked it all in...
i also did the lipstick thing! LOVING that so far! i LOVEEEEE the sand color- thanks becca!!! its exactly what ive been looking for for an everyday thing..
i havent done much today --i didnt get home last nite till 130am..i was talking to a couple friends after the finale..but i got up with the girls and got them out the door- it was raining ALL nite last nite so i couldnt sleep! it was raining this am so jon drove the girls around the corner to school...we then took an hour nap to catch up from last nite..i havent done anything since! i did watch yesterdays oprah - and sadly im rewatching the bachelor! i know SO NERDY!!!
the soup turned out REALLY good last nite- we'll have that for lunch..
i cant believe we leave in a couple of weeks for GDC -- it will be fun to be with jon for one whole week doing business stuff! ive been able to have kevin and bonnie come watch the kids again - im glad thats all worked out!!
well back to the bachelor!

im cetaphil and lipstick ready for attack!!

ALRIGHT! i got my cetaphil and lipstick from walmart..the lip stuff was actually on sale for 6.47 at walmart- it was meant to be!! heheh i havent tried it yet cuz i have my forever CG stuff on!! i did get the raisin and becca's sand - SO MAD though - i HATE walmart sometimes- i think i just went too late when all the crusties come out of their homes to shop..UGH! anyway - besides the peeps there..the color tags were off so i couldnt tell which one was sand! then i got smart and looked at the bottom of the tube and it said the color..i was stoked cuz it said sand! right on i thought! only to realize it was only the dumb lid!!!!! AHHHH BUGGGED!!! so i searched again and found one...
i then headed for the cetaphil..TOTALLY confused on that! theres' the "gentle bar" then the cleanser for normal-oily (which i got) and the gentle cleanser, the lotion - SO MUCH! so i got the cleanser for normal-oily and the lotion..they were both around 10 bucks??i hope thats it!
my friend is now an consultant for arbornne??? she said its SOO good- so im going to try the cheapo cetaphil for a bit and see how that works before i plop down 150 bucks for arbornne!! although i know so many people that use that and just LOVE it ..so we'll see...
tonite im making broccoli cheese soup - with that velveeta crap - i havent had that stuff since i was like 8 i think!?!?!! im totally scared to read whats really in it!?!?! probably plastic!?!!?
but the recipe sounded good - a reccommended recipe-so im giving it a go for tonite since its raining...ill have to let ya know how it is..

YA!!! i ran farther today!!!

YA!!!! i ran farther today!!! i went my full mile again and then a little farther!! im so excited!!! my friend told me today- Christina you look so skinny all of a sudden in year black work outfit - i said dang im wearing this ALL DAY EVERDAY THEN!!! even to church!!!! so maybe this running thing is actually paying off for me! RIGHT ON!!

this am we got up and got things going - i put out the girls' clothes the nite before because rachel is JUST like her dad and NEVER matches and i mean HORRIBLY NEVER MATCHES!!! so this makes things easier - she'll put on whatever i lay out..
then we all ate breakfast -gotta love easy cereal! then we read our D&C during breakfast and then family prayer- then they are out the door by 8am...
i checked emails and stuff then headed out for my run -- such a great run this am!!

today im heading off to my first book club!!! so excited!! there's only a small group - like 4 of us! there is also a nite one..so we'll see how it goes...then i need to hit walmart for some basics like toothpaste and cetaphil - thanks amie! and becca! and dede!!! and that new lipstick - WHICH i cant find?>!>! i need to look at amie's picture again!! then i need to run into sams club to get basics there like milk and bread and cheese...but before i go i try to make a weeks worth list of dinner meals/menu and shop accordingly...

so now ill go make my list for dinners then take a shower and be ready to go - great day so far!
OHHHHH then tonite is my finale party!!!!!!!! im excited about that!!!!

sunday 2.26.06

So Knotts was SO FUN! and SO cheap!! atleast compared to everything else...we paid 25 for me and 25 for jon then the 3 girls were 15 and then becca was free- so were all in for 95 bucks - NOT BAD! it was SO fun - there were TONS of rides and NOBODY was there even on a friday which surprised us- we thought it might be super ghetto but it was actually so nice and clean - very impressed!! i think were burnt on dland so knotts will be the new place to hit for fun for the family..we liked it too because they had faster better scarier rides for me and jon and the older 2 girls..sarah is a MANIAC and rachel is a WHIMP! but if sarah went on a ride with dad - THEN rachel would go on that same ride with mom...all in all it was a great day! then we did hit soup plantation for dinner..that was yummy too - as always and the girls SURPRISINGLY were SOOO GOOD!!! that never seems to happen! but honestly i think its because ive been having them come with us more- like to coco's down my street next to kohls--to get use to how we eat out...i think its working!! then we hung out at the hales for a little bit to wait for traffic to die down...
saturday we just relaxed at home...jon had his first daddy/daughter date with rachel for achievement day..it was sports themed so they wore ElMO football jerseys with the name hales and the #25 on the bag- they looked cute and crap i forgot a photo!! DANGT!!! oh well - i was rushing them out the door !! they said they did this relay race type thing and when it came down to doing the wheel barrow racing then where jon holds rachels legs- jon said that rachel TOTALLYYYYY smoked ALLL the other girls!!! he was SO proud!! i told him its because rachel walks around the house like a REAL animal all the time!!! she loves to act like a dog or a horse..when she's a dog she even curls her fingers in to make it look more like a paw - what a freak!!! i keep telling her - it was cute when you were like 4 but your almost 9!! i dont have the money for therapy for that!!!
so today is sunday - had a good day...i got everything ready the nite before which REALLY helps -that primary song is SOO TRUE!!! i taught my sunday school lesson - it was actually about marriage...i had all my 18 kids write 5 qualities or things they look for in a person they want to date...then they folded it and handed it to me..then i asked them to write 5 things/qualities they look for in a person they want to marry...then folded and handed them to me..the idea was they SHOULD really be the same...it was fun to read them all..i think it was good for both sexes to see what the other was really looking for...they kids thought it was cool...i asked the class.."do you guys/boys ever have lessons about marriage in priesthood? they said NO!" then the girls said, "wow we have lessons on marriage like EVERY WEEK it seems in yw's!!" i had to laugh - cuz its SO true!!! anyway - the lesson went great- i told them how me and jon met in sept and dated 6 weeks..got engaged and then married 6 weeks later- you shoudl have seen their faces!!! it was priceless!!! i told them it was because i KNEW what i wanted in a spouse and same with jon...we didnt waste time dating just whoever- we dated ones we that had the qualities we were looking for..i also encouraged them to have a book/journal and write down those qualities..and write down the ones they were attracted to when they dated someone..your list will grow and SOMEDAY SOMEONE will actually HAVE all those qualities you want! my list got up to 76 and jon literally has all those qualities!!
after church we came home...my good friend kristen just got called to teach r/s so today was her first day-- i went to her ward r/s to support her-- she was too cute...she made a comment that made me really think...she said that we as women all have the same feelings..regardless of when we are living..the pioneers lost children..we today lose our children to sin..our feelings of loss are the same..that really stuck with me...
i forgot in our sacrament meeting-- they talked about emergency prepardness and how in 30 days our ward will have a plan for each of us to follow shoudl anything happen..which is neat! were all getting flags...white means all is well..red means we need help...anyway -the speaker is a insurance guy - and he was saying here we have no earthquake coverage..BUT the insurance joke is..IF your house is a total loss and you gas pipe is leaking to light a match and throw it - cuz fire IS covered -- the crowd was totally laughing..he said i wouldnt ADVISE anyone to do that- but thats just an inside insurance joke - i had to chuckle!!
so now its nearly 9pm..im all emailed caught up, mormonchic caught up and blogged caught up - i can now retire- tomorrow is the bachelor finale party at my friends house - with TONS of yummy food! i can hardly wait!!

HEADING OFF TO KNOTTS BERRY FARM!!

So we decided quickly on Knotts Berry FArm!!! ill have pics when i get back! Then well maybe meet up with the hales for dinner at our usual soup plantation! SEE YA!

Friday 2.24.96

WHAT UP!!!!!!! remember that commericial-- wasssssaaaaaupppp!! LOVED THAT!!!
yesterday we actually went to the law office (jons dads work in OC) and helped move some stuff-they are adding a wall..then we went to their house and i made fajitas and strawberry pie for everyone..then we headed home about 9pm after AI - SO FUN!
Im not sure whats going to happen today- i talked to jon about sea world- but its now 940am and it takes 1.5 hours to get there from here and it closes at 5pm! LAME!! so i dont think we'll spend the money..we wont be there long enough...so we'll have to figure out something else to do i suppose...
i didnt go running this am cuz i woke at 845am..and i didnt know what our plans were.. i might go try to do it now real quick since now i know we arent going to sea world...
well guess we'll find out what we did tomorrow when you check my blog!! hahah

Thur 2.23.06

GOOD MORNING!!! i JUST got out of bed at 10:15am..poor becca cried and whined from 230am-530am..jon teaches seminary so i had to be the one to be up with her-- REALLY confirms to me im SO not ready for another baby!! im thinking i really could be done with the 4 that i have and be happy...jon said he didnt hear anything all nite- so that was good..he did come home and let me sleep till late to recoup! benefits of having him work from home!!!
Today i wont be doing much..hanging low..doing laundry..TRYING to keep the girls from fighting - i cant wait till school starts up again on monday!!! then only 3 more months then the summer starts for them..
Im going to go online and see how much it would cost to go to sea world..i havent been since i was rachel's age! my girls have never gone..its their last vacation day for the month they've had off..i thought that might be fun..plus its going to be 80 again! LOVE THAT!!
I watched AI last nite SO FUN! i like the grey haired guy! he's kinda kooky-but so into it! i also liked that guy ACE- he's kinda yummy and has a hot bod - but worked the camera too much for me - like okay i know your good looking dont need to go that far dude!! i also liked the one guy that had a shaved head...and the side burns sort of..he seemed like he had a good voice and it was natural - the guy that said he doesnt do the do ray me stuff before he sings!!
Well off to go finally get myself some breakfast at 11am!!

Wed 2.22.06

I went running this am - i made it a mile again SERIOUSLY pushing myself though! i hate that!!! but getting home and taking a shower makes up for it!!
I havent done much today...i made my evites for the bachelor finale, checked email, helped sandra with some wedding stuff..now im just waiting for poor jon who's on the 91 REALLLY stuck in traffic...all 6 lanes are stopped...a bunch of cars hit eachother and one van flipped over and leaked fuel everywhere...so he'll be home tomorrow probably!!!
No big plans for me today or tonite..just watching american idol - LOVED that last girl last nite! mcphee??! the boys go tonite...
were going to have taco's for dinner tonite too - im hungry already! its only 3!

Tuesday 2.21.06 HAPPY BDAY MARK!

Happy bday mark!! i forgot how old he is though!?!? He's at home spending his last day with his new fiance jennifer. They showed me her ring - can we say tree of life!! HUGE!! its very pretty!
This am i got up and went running - it was SUPER hard today for some reason!! but i did it and thats whats important...
i then ran to the post office and got some stuff done there for the busines...
now im just home doing laundry and picking up the house..trying to catch up on my blog, emails, etc...i really do love my computer!!
Today rachel has piano at 4pm..i HAVE to remember that!! i need to go have her practice one more time so she's ready - its been a while..she's SO good about practicing when i ask - its very nice!!

Monday 2.20.06

Yesterday was a blast!! we met at the hales and we all drove thru carls jr for lunch and headed on up to Irivine Park for the day. We all got to ride bikes and then we played frisbee, bachi, horseshoe rings, soccer, baseball, etc..it was great!
We then came back and ate left over food from the night before and then headed on home around 9pm.
It was a good time..and so fun to be with the family!!!

Sunday 2.19.06

Today was a great day - we all got up and ready for church...then back home for leftover pizza..followed by peanut butter cookies jon made with the girls...then my VT stopped by...then we headed off to grandpa and grandmas house...
Katie was there with her roommates, mark and jennifer, scott and kellie, todd and celene and their family- it was SO fun! we were celebrating Mark and Katie's bday - they are only a few days apart from eachother...
we also drilled Katie about Seth Goodman- it was REALLY fun!! we took lots of pictures- sounds like things are getting pretty serious!
we finally got home about 10pm last nite and we all crashed into our beds...so it was a good day!

ITS OFFICIAL!!!

So now its official so i can talk about it...Mark and Jennifer are offically engaged. He proposed to her last nite. They all went to dinner and mark had put her ring in her wine glass, when she went to pull her napkin out of the wine glass...she didnt see it...so robert asked if she wanted some wine..she said no..then a few minutes later noticed the ring in her glass and started to tear up..mark was behind her and came to her and kneeled and proposed to her there..it was cute..
Katie is down with 4 of her roommates as well.. SHe is still dating Seth Goodman... he wants to be a Pilot for the airforce...he is ready to move on with katie but i think she's waiting to see what comes of her and her missionary Ian when he gets home in June. Katie will be on a cruise with Seths family in June, then her missionary comes home, then mark gets married, then we all leave for the cruise..so it will be an interesting June for katie!
Today i had a bday lunch with my friend Tracy and all of her friends. I invited everyone over to BJ's for her bday lunch. We had a good group come! Then got home in time to drop the kids off at the movies with grandpa and grandma. Scott and Kellie as well as Mark and Jennifer came too..they stopped by our house for a few minutes and then went on home. I gave Jennifer 2dozen roses from sams club- gotta love that place!! 2dozen roses for 14 dollars!!!!!!!!!! jon felt SO jipped!! he said he paid twice that for one dozen at albertsons- i SOOO need to teach him a few things!!!!
So now we are home...the house is cleaned...nothing to do...Jon just left to Lowes to get a water flitration system thing so we have filtered water by our sink...the fridge one needs a new filter thingy and he'd rather pay 150 and have one near the sink..it takes 3 hours to install..he did one for his dad..so im excited! i LOVE water! and now that summer is coming, im running, and girls are always drinking something - this will be nice...for dinner i hate nasty water! so we end up drinking milk or juice..im anxious to stop buying SOOO much juice each week and just having water at dinner!!
Hope everyone is having a nice Saturday! Tomorrow we got to jons parents for dinner..i dont have to teach tomorrow - so that makes it extra nice for me!!

LOOKS NICE!!!

here is my pantry that i FINALLY got to today...the before and after pics...now i can scratch that off my list!!!

I DID IT!!!!!!!!!!!!

i can now run a full mile without stopping!!!!!! im SOOO dang proud of myself!!!! ive never done that in my ENTIRE Life!! nor did i EVER think i would!!!! so today im on a super high knowing i can accomplish this!
Last nite i went VT...both sisters we taught had NEVER had their VT come since being in our ward- so sad!!
Today i just ran, took my shower and now checking things out on the computer..we have no big plans today or this weekend..so we'll see what we end up doing..on sunday we plan to go to Jons parents house for dinner...the girls have only next week left of no school then they are in school for 3 months then their summer starts - CRAZY!!!

thursday 2.16.06

its already tuesday! yikes! i feel like i have a LOT going on today - mostly tonite..today though im in the office doing some work for jon...ive already done our taxes for personal and for the business..i just need jon to do a couple things for me then i can go ahead and file those..i also need to go thru our personal and business banking and make sure everything looks good in there too..
tonite at 6pm i have a hair appt, followed by VT at 7pm and again at 730pm..then im done with my VT for the month! WHOO HOO! i JUST got new sisters - so thats always fun getting to know new people...
well thats about it for me today - back to the business!

tuesday 2.15.06 HAPPY BDAY KATIE BUG!!

so today is katie bugs 20th bday - amazing that 10 years ago katie was 10 years old and jon and i were just married!! shes a great girl - hope my girls turn out like her!! she's finishing up her 2nd year of BYU..has a missionary out home due in June..is currently dating seth goodman from the stake..we shall see what the future holds for her!!
this am i got up and went running/walking..im now able to run .8 miles- one day ill make it to a real full mile!! its awesome that im up to this point though!!! i came home and have just been busy as ever cleaning up the house- my room REALLLY needed it! i cleaned our closet -its 10 times better! im anxious for jon to be amazed at what happened in our room -being clean i mean!!! then i caught up on all my blogs, mormonchic, emails and helping brian with his resume..i think took the girls to go see nanny mcphee..becca is now up with a stinky bum that i must go change...i will need to think of something for dinner and get that started as well...all in all a good day..its getting colder here which means no more summer clothes BACK to the winter clothes - seriously though what a pain!!! their drawers can only hold ONE season!!!

Valentines Day at the Hales!

Valentines Day at the Hales! Here is a picture of the gorgeous flowers jon and the girls picked out for me along with cards from everyone and a box of chocolates YUM! i decorated the table with paper plates..but i drew a heart on the plate and wrote i love you and then added pink sprinkles to it..then i put a clear plate on top of it so it would show thru and it was safe to eat on..i also put hearts on their plastic cups...with 4 little ones- not good with china! so this was the next best thing i could think of!! you can also do this with just a photograph under the clear plate..so many possibilites! i know jill - arent you soooo excited!!! ANOTHER great crafty idea! gosh maybe i am crafty afterall!?!?!? there is also a photo of the homemade strawberry pie that i make..its SUPER easy and non cook friendly!! i take graham pie crust, cut up 2 small packs of strawberries, add the filling (which they sell next to the strawberries) then poof - strawberry pie! my girls think im AMAZING!!

vday!

so today is vday! i decorated the girls' rooms last nite when they were asleep..and left a box of chocolates for them...they were excited..they felt bad and wrote us vday notes..too cute!
Today i went running since i didnt go yesterday..and i need to go hop into the shower and get ready to go meet my mom and sisters in Yorba Linda.
Not much else going on..rachel does have piano at 4pm then we'll have dinner.
LOVED the bachelor last nite!!! im so excited for the teacher sarah thats still on!!! i hope he picks her- but im ALWAYS wrong!! UGH!!! were going to be having a bachlor finale party like we do every season at my friend celesta's house..we each bring some food and just eat and watch the show - its SO FUN!!

wakeboarding

This am - jon and the girls went wakeboarding with our friend Sheldon and his daughter Mekai..so that means im at home doing laundry with anna and rebecca...once rebecca goes down for a nap i think i'll sneak outside to catch some cancer rays!!
Nothing else exciting is happening for us today..i imagine the girls and jon will be gone most of the day..which is nice to have a break from all of them! ive been home with the whole family here!!!
Tomorrow im meeting my mom, heidi, melissa, and jessica for lunch at the Olive Garden off the 91 frwy - were all excited to meet together once a month for lunch..our lives are all so busy - so its nice to take time to catch up with everyone!
Time to go switch loads!!

still got game!

alright!!!! i still got game!!! i was so excited to play bball again and then to find out i STILL GOT GAME!! WHOO HOOO!! i surprised myself even - SO FUN!!
jons party was a BIG hit- we had good group of friends come over..we played the newlywed game..we separated girls and guys and then we each had to come up with a question..so we had 7 questions from the girls and 7 from the boys - the questions were HILARIOUS!! we had questions from ring size to bra size and everything in between - it was a riot! then the last bonus one the boys had drawn a picture of their wife and the girls had to go pick which one was theirs- it was SO funnY!! sadly me and jon were the LOSERS!!!!!!!!!
we had so much food- everyone was impressed with jons sushi rolls! most everyone is coming back today at 4pm to finish up the rest .. my friend brought an asian chicken salad from togo's SO YUMMY!!
today since the 2 smaller girls were sick...we decided to stay home..but i got to go because i needed to teach my sunday school class..and then i just hit r/s after -- im glad i went because they were handing out chocolate! how doesnt love chocolate!!!! so now im home, checking up on emails, mormonchic, my blog..im leaving in a few minutes to get VT done..then jon will do his HT..then our friends will all come back at 4 to eat some grub..
so far good day! our girls didnt get to bed till midnite so i made them all go take a nap..they actually all fell right to sleep..probably helps that i said i'd give them a treat if they slept! its the left over chocolate from r/s! gotta love bribery!!!

saturday 2/11/96

YA - its saturday!!! yesterday i took rebecca and anna into the doctors...annas ear was really hurting..becca seemed fine but i thought i'd take her in anyway- good thing! anna had one ear infection and cough and becca had dual ear infection and bad chest congestion!!! so i got loaded up on medicine and away we went...
after they both took naps we took everyone to coco's for dinner...love that its seriously only 30 seconds from our house!! so nice!! the girls LOVE going out to dinner-they are cute....it seemed like EVERYONE was looking at jon with me and 4 other girls thinking..wow - we feel for him!!
then we came home and i made a quick strawberry pie for jons bday..it was yum!
this morning i am out the door to go play hoops at 10am..then i think we'll play the newlywed game for jons bday..i think ill just have all of us girls make up 7-10 questions and the boys make up 7-10 questions and then answer them instead of me trying to think up all the questions myself!! we have all the stuff to make our california rolls so we should be set! now its a matter of making the girls try to keep my downstairs clean!!!!!

Happy bday jon!!!

so today is jon's 33rd bday...he TOTALLY forgot about it!! its now 130pm and we havent done much about his bday though sadly...i went running this am and went farther then i usually do! so that was awesome!! came home and then my brother brian called and was going to stop by withi his wife jessica...so they visited...then after they left anna started getting an earache real bad.. i used some of that instant relief stuff SO GOOD HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT!!! she even said mom is all good now!! i went ahead and made appts for her and becca to have their ears checked which will be at 240pm...
the girls want to do something for dad's bday so we may go to coco's or something for dinner..probably early like 530ish so we beat the crowd rush..tomorrow were having all our friends come over to celebrate..
im excited because tomorrow at 10am i get to play basketball at the church!!!! its been so long!! i hope im still sort of good???! we'll find out!
well i need to clean my bathrooms..or atleast downstairs where everyone will be..

thursday 2/9/06

last night i went with jon to go look for a new suit...after trying a few on..we decided to wait and keep watching for sales...we then hit mimi's for dinner..it was a nice night out! and in the middle of the week made it fun!!
this am I am up now...i need to start cleaning up the downstairs..jons bday bash is saturday nite! YIKES!! seems like lots of friends are coming, so that will be fun!
i also need to finish up our business tax turbo thing so we can get that done with...
well not much going on today other then those things..pretty low key day!

locked keys in car

so today is wednesday..i started off running and then realized i'd locked my keys in my car..luckily i was close to home so i called geico our insurance -we have road side emergency- they came an hour later and unlocked it..didnt cost me anything which is nice!!
so i have a late start to my day!!! its now 12noon and ive only cleaned up the kitchen! i did check all my emails, mormonchic message boards and all my blogs...now its time to go get the mail since its been 4 days, start up our business turbo tax thing..i did our personal and were getting a NICE lump sum back!! WHOO HOO!!
nothing exciting is happening for us today..its super nice weather outside..like almost 80...girls have been swimming, riding bikes, etc..i think im already ready for them to be back in school though!!!
im super excited cuz on oprah is matthew mcoughney!! Y UMMY!!!

CALLING ALL MEISENBACH GIRLS!!

Hey ladies..since i know you all use the cover girl outlast lipstick..what shades do you buy? i have only been buying raisin braisin #542...
thanks!
does anyone else use the same lipstick out there? what colors do you use?

Tuesday 2/7.06

Today is Tuesday...ive already started laundry and picked up the house. Nothing else going on today other then rachel's piano lesson at 4pm..pretty quiet day so far. All of my girls have a little cough- little allergies it seems..
Ill be online trying to see if we can pull off this carribbean cruise in June..its getting so expensive! Off to go do research for it-

Monday 2/6/06

its monday - the start of a fresh week..the start of the "im going to do things better then next week attitude" then 10am hits and its all gone down the drain!!! hahah
this am i got up and went walk/running..i wasnt really wanting to do it..but having 3 others kinda helps motivate you to do it!! im glad i went..it was fun to catch up on everyones weekend!
now im home picking up the house and doing laundry..my on going never ending laundry-- i think i just do a couple loads each day..so its actually ALWAYS done by that nite-if i really think about it!! we have no real plans for today..i need to go hit sams club for a few basics like bread, milk and eggs..i need to see what dinner is tonite..i think its meatloaf with homemade rolls, corn and mashed potatoes...
thursday i might go to a recipe exchange..you make one easy family main dish..bring it and share with everyone else that comes..then you get how ever many new recipes to take home with you! kinda fun! i might make my easy taco bake..its super easy, and my girls gobble it up!!
which reminds me, last nite celene's mom colleen said shes always impressed with my girls that they've always eaten whatever we put in front of them..and she asked rachel "what is your favorite thing your mom makes you?" and rachel thought..um can i pick 3?! so colleen said "sure!" rachel replied" i love fish, sushi and shrimp!" colleen was floored!! my kids are crazy ones i guess! they do love fish, sushi and shrimp!!!
speaking of sushi - we made TONSSSSSSS of it last nite..so we all got to take some home for lunch..its SUPER good right now as im eating and typing!!
well off to finish my day

Sunday 2/5/06

Today is Sunday, i am now at Celene's house preparing for sushi dinner..actually celene and jon are preparing for sushi dinner!! jons parents will come at 5ish..so we have a while to eat...
Church was good..i did find the lost lonely shoe! so thats a great start! we got everyone ready and out the door and on time - amazing!! It was testimony meeting..i felt like i needed to get up and go.. of course i did the whole "well if nobody else gets up then i'll go" which never happens because we have SO MANY people..but OF COURSE today right at the end it got slow and NO ONE was going so i thought dangt..guess ill go then! so i walked CLEAR from the back row to the front ...a man got up right before me and i said oh see..i could have just stayed in my seat!! oh well... i gave my testimony about the word "remember"..the man before spoke a little about that and how the BOM has 527 times it says the word remember...i talked about how that word is very important..and that we need to "remember" how we feel when we feel the spirit, or read our scriptures, enter the temple..etc..we also need to remember sometimes why we married our spouse and what that day was like...because sometimes we are in a fight with our spouse..but if we "remember" how we felt about our spouse that day..things would change...i also spoke about the oprah show i had watched about the ebersoll family..and how they lost their child in an airplane crash..and she had said she was catholic but not really..she believed their was a God, but that was about it..she didnt have any relationship with him though..but after this accident..she knows for sure who God is and what her relationship is with him..and that she said "we are not human beings having spiritual experiences, we are spiritual beings having human experiences" and i furthered that thought with the concept of "rememberance" and that if we remember that idea...it will make our journey different for us...
it was pretty neat! i had people coming up to me and hugging me and saying that it really touched them...
well becca's ready for me to hold her now!

Saturday 2/4/06

Today is saturday... i woke up and got ready to go to Heather's 30th bday party at the Olive Garden. I have to recommend doing that!!! we had 18 girls there and the service was SO great! it wasnt busy AT ALL!! we were in a corner and as Heather came thru the restaraunt we started singing happy bday to her..she heard it and thought...oh how funny..someone else's bday is today too! then she saw us and totally started crying - it was perfect!! she told us that when she left..her husband chad said..who else is going? and heather said only me and kristen..and chad said..wow honey you really need to get some friends!! all the while knowing that we'd all be waiting for her..it was just great!!
then i came home and picked up the house a bit..jon actually made the girls clean out the garage-cuz they made a mess in it! they put blankets in there and then SHREDDED up my telephone book as "hay" for their barn..they were pretending to be horses in a stable - SUCH a mess..i just said oh nice..then walked away -- i didnt want to dwell on the 'ITS SUCH A MESS IN HERE!" so i left them to their excitment- nothing like mom ruining the moment of fun!!!! he also had them do a 15 minute pick up in the house..so it was nice to come home to a clean garage and clean house...
i just did a couple loads of laundry and caught up on my dvr'd oprahs..our friends came over at 7pm after i had fed and bathed ALL of the girls and got church clothes ready for tomorrow..im only ONE SHOE short! hopefully i find that lost shoe tomorrow in beccas room!! our friends came and we played settlers.. i lost again dangt!!!! i was SO CLOSE...i had 9 points..but jon beat me.. SO CLOSE!!!
well tomorrow should be nice.. i dont have to do a lesson..and everyones in primary and nursery..so it should be a great day for me! im going to take after jill and amie's inspiration of taking notes during talks and lessons...now that i dont have kids the 2nd and 3rd hour..i should make a better effort at that- thanks guys!
after church we'll change and head to todd's house.... jon is making california sushi rolls for dinner for the family, jons parents, scott, kellie and jennifer will be there too..

FRIDAY!! 2/3/06

today is friday! ya!! i got back from walk/runnning..i ran a little farther so thats a bonus! im on my way out the door to get everyone loaded up into the truck to head for the beach..its hot here so it should be great!!!
jons in LA for a couple of meetings for the business..i imagine he'll be calling me shortly to tell me how they went...
well off we go! hopefully ill get a little color!! cuz i need it!! one of my fav amie lines "tan fat people are WAY cuter then white fat people" - I LOVE THAT!!!!!!

thursday 2/2/06

So today is thursday..got up and DIDNT go walk/running..i was SO wiped out by all the other times i went..i decided i'd be walking all day at dland anyway!!
so yes today we went to disneyland..and NOBODY was there! it was awesome!! we walked on every ride- i lost track of counting how many rides we actually got to go on after 10! it was nice because becca and anna are GREAT people watchers like me-- so they were super mellow the WHOLE time!! jon went with us so it was great..
tomorrow we are headed to the beach in corona del mar..ive already called grandma to get my parking spot on her drive way - gotta love it!
today sandra called and said were all going to the carribbean! so that will be fun!! we leave june 26th- july 2nd...we will leave out of miami..
well its almost 10pm and i still have tons of emailing and mormonchic to catch up on!!

whats for dinner??

i thought i'd include what i make for dinner..so my family knows that i DID feed them!! hahha
last nite i made this..http://www.campbellkitchen.com/recipedetail.aspx?recipeSource=search&recipeID=23817&page=0&index=1&SearchText=taco+bake&LastIndex=false
my girls LOVE this!
tonite its this:http://www.kraftfoods.com/main.aspx?s=recipe&m=recipe/knet_recipe_display&recipe_id=55504
my girls eat this up too!!

wednesday 2/1/06

Im up and early today! dont know why?? yesterday one of the girls' friends told them she takes a shower EVERY morning..thats why she looks so cute everyday - so sarah told me about this and said she's going to take one every morning now to be cute like her friend - RIGHT ON!! of course my super tomboy daughter rachel had this comment: HOW DUMB!! so 730am sarah was in the shower with rachel rolling her eyes in disgust...
i have to leave in 10 minutes to go walk/running..im STARVING so i might eat some toast real quick!!
i was thinking about taking the girls to disneyland since they are off track and not in school...we'll see how the day goes on..not sure if i'll leave rebecca here with jon or just take her..im not sure if he'll want to go with us or stay here and work either..friday its going to be 80 here..so i plan on taking all the girls to the beach..grandma perry still lives in corona del mar by the beach..SO nice that i can put a sleeping baby down in the house or if someone has to go potty we ACTUALLY have somewhere they can go!! i think i might invite marks gfriend from venezuala to go with us so i can get to know her a little better--jennifer is her name..
well i need to go eat before i leave-we'll see if i made it to dland or not!