Can't we all just be healthy???

I think I'm asking for too much!

Tessa's crazy pneumonia that she got like 2 months ago STILL hasn't completely gone away. Now, Lily has it too - which isn't really surprising considering how they're constantly in each others faces, swapping spit and such... They have been on antibiotics for nearly a week now, and aren't getting better!!! Both of them hate this antibiotic so much (Biaxin) that when Tessa sees it coming she clamps her mouth shut and the tears start pooling up in her little eyes. Then we have Lily... She literally starts dry-heaving and screaming. I have to pin her down and pinch her cheeks and even then she sticks her tongue out and gags and coughs so much she'll throw up whatever I manage to get in there. Someone told me to try mixing it into ice cream, but she wasn't fooled. And now she doesn't trust me at all!

These poor kids - I just wish they would feel better! If we thought drama was an issue before all of this, this past week or so has given us a run for our money!

THEN, last week we found out that my mom has a brain tumor! Literally a tumor the size of a walnut on her pituitary gland. Thankfully these tumors are almost never cancerous, but it will have to be operated on ASAP. We're all relieved that there is a reason for her vision problems and her "craziness!" (We really knew you weren't THAT crazy, mom!) However, when they start talking brain surgery, it is scary. This news came the day after she fell down the front stairs of her house and is all kinds of banged up.

Good times, all around over here!

Opportunities

Over the last few weeks, I have found myself with rare, unplanned opportunities to express my gratitude to people I wouldn't have otherwise had the chance. These were people who didn't know me. People who didn't necessarily need to hear anything from me, but people, when I was presented with the opportunity, I couldn't let pass by.

This was kind of a strange place for me to find myself. I'm SO not one to just go up and start talking to people, especially people I don't know. But, a few weeks ago when I found myself in a conversation with one of these people about something wholly unrelated to me, as it was finishing up, I knew I had to take that opportunity. This person's family had impacted my life, and I expressed my gratitude to them.

Then, to have this same kind of opportunity again - to speak with someone personally about how they have affected my life and again express gratitude was an opportunity I'm glad I didn't pass up.

No, the words didn't just flow freely - I know I stumbled and probably didn't make any sense whatsoever. But today I am grateful that I had those opportunities. Like I said, these were people who have big busy lives of their own - who may not necessarily want or need to hear from strangers like me. But looking back, I realize that I needed to do it for me. I needed to look a little deeper inside myself. Seeing and recognizing the effect others have had on me, then taking the opportunities that were given to merely say thank you. This is something I need to do more of - finding and taking advantage of those opportunities.

Resemblance?

My sister Sarah pointed out this resemblance:

Love it!

Happy Paddy's Day!!!

Happy Paddy's Day from two little leprechauns!

(Please excuse the ratty hair and the straw hat, which has become one of the most popular accessories lately - it WAS only 7:30 a.m.!)

Where are the keys???

Obviously... right where I left them....

Oh Paula....

Let me start by saying, I have never been caught up in the American Idol hype. I can honestly say before this season I have never watched an episode. Yeah, I've caught glimpses here and there, but it has not appealed to me on any level. Hearing amateur's off-key covers of songs I never liked in the first place just wasn't worth my time!

Well this season, Seuao decided he wanted to get in on the American Idol bandwagon. (I think his recovery time on the couch had a little something to do with it...) So, I have caught a few more glimpses this time, and with the Salt Lake auditions, and the Samoan gal that made it to Hollywood, I was reeled in...

But man oh man, can I just tell you that I really really really can't stand Paula! I can put up with the off-key covers, Randy's limited "yo yo" and "dog" vocabulary, Simon's harsh (but fairly accurate) criticisms, and even Kara's know-it-all attitude. But Paula. Every time she opens her mouth, I want to just pinch her lips shut! Nothing she utters makes sense, she acts totally strung out on valium, and her weird flirty weird vibe with Simon is just too much.

Ugh - that show does my head in.

February Update

As you could tell, February was a busy month! We spent a LOT of time with doctors and at the Walmart pharmacy counter, but people are on the mend, and hopefully March will bring some warmer weather and a healthier family!



We did manage a trip up to Logan on Valentines weekend. We went to my mom & dad's ward Family Dance. This was just 10 days after Wow's surgery, so he kept to Tessa duty.



Lily sure had fun with Ella and dancing with Nanny and Papa! (I think she was mostly in shock at the freedom she was enjoying inside the church! She has never been let loose to run free like she was that night, and she loved EVERY minute of it!)




Wow and I skipped V-day for each other. Not to be a hater, but I really have no use for these commercialized buy-a-card-and-an-amazing-gift-or-else-you're-the-worst-spouse-ever holidays. I did buy Wow a card, but I totally forgot to give it to him. My mom even told me that she's glad she's not married to me! I had grand plans to make darling valentines for all of Lily and Tessa's cousins. It didn't happen, but we did gather them together to decorate little rice krispie treat hearts! They had fun!



Well, they had fun until Lily decided SHE wanted the BIG tub o' cookies....



Marching past Noah once, he silently displays his dismay... but TWICE????



Yeah, they're not "besties" anymore - they barely tolerate each other! Sad!

(Don't mind the hair - it was my lame attempt at a cute Valentine's hair do, that wasn't meant to be done on a very impatient wiggly toddler!)

Also on Valentine's day we celebrated Benjamin's 1st birthday. He is the funniest little guy! He is so serious a lot of the time, but boy can he cheese it up for the camera! Here he is examining the presents - Mommy had to show him how to be excited!



BUT, she didn't have to show him how to eat the cake! This kid didn't waste any time!



I love this picture - he looks so pleased with himself!



Yes, Tessa did make an appearance at the party too...



But didn't last for long....



Ella and Lily thought they were so sneaky hiding under the table with Benji's new toy! Busted!



We did get some good game-playing time in with friends and family this month. It has been so nice to have Seuao around! We have never had the luxury of spending this much time together, and although I'll admit there have been moments when I have definitely needed some space, I really have loved having him around so much. The girls have loved it too!

I'm not a "Samoa"???

You are easy going and naturally happy. You don't need a lot to make you smile.

You genuinely care about people and are a great friend. You're always doing your best to make the world a better place.



Even though there isn't an immature bone in your body, you still are like a big kid sometimes.

Why make life complicated when the best parts are actually quite simple? You enjoy the small joys of life.

You Are Peanut Butter Sandwiches / Do-si-dos

What Girl Scout Cookie Are You?