The Countdown Is On!

July 26, 2010

Well, the countdown for the Colorado Trip is FINALLY on! The girls are getting together clothes, and we are finalizing things that have to be done before we go. Dad will be here holding down the fort.

Cooper has ballet tonight....guess we will see how those ribs are doing. Then she will start her tap solo on Thursday evening.....that will be a good one this year. They are doing something totally different than they have done in the past.

Cymbre seems to be doing ok with her tap solo. She has managed to dance it for a couple of days now withouth pain in her knee! THANK GOODNESS! Just keep praying that it continues. It would be wonderful to not have to deal with that at competition.

I am trying to get the laundry done, we cleaned out the pantry last night (I HATE that job!), and Dad has been home today. Guess he took that 19/30 day....whatever that means! He has been working on scrubbing the kitchen tile grout...it needs it, but it is such a big job. He said he is going to get the downstairs carpet cleaned while we are gone. He is my angel in disguise!

I packed up some of the stuff in the sewing room that I didn't want to get messed up. Funny how protective I am of how things are piled in there....I know just where everything is, and the thought of someone messing it up makes my heart beat faster! Pretty bad I know!

Mark Goodman is being really kind, and wants to see the girls privately on Saturday when we go to Phoeniz.....thank goodness for small favors. He is a good contact to have in the dance world. The girls absolutely LOVE him! He is so kind to arrange his time to see them.

I have to go hem some jeans for Cymbre to take on the trip. We bought her some for school, but the ones that fit her waist are WAY TO LONG! OK, haven't they ever heard of different length inseams? Are we all the same height? NO!!! I mean really, would Russell really fit into Cooper's jeans? So tonight I get to break several sewing machine needles trying to hem the jeans. And since you practically have to mortgage the house to buy them, it would be GREAT if I didn't have to come home and fix them.

The girls appear to be excited about dance once again.....at least things seem to be going better than previously. Now the VERY LONG process of making friends begins again, but I think once the girls are in classes several days during the week, that will happen for them too. It's really hard to change studios. We really like Ms. Traci though, and she seems to be really trying to help the girls at this point.

Cooper went to Chili's with the senior girls for dinner last night. They wanted to get together before they all left for school....she is really going to miss her friends. Thank goodness for Facebook I guess.

Cymbre did really well at physical therapy this past week, and Jeff thinks that she won't have as much pain dancing this year.....we can always hope! I know she has been stretching like a crazy person.

Got Cymbre's x-rays on her teeth back, she has one root that isn't quite ready for full braces yet, so the orthodontist thinks it will be 2-3 months before we can start her again. So, we just have to keep this retainer thing going until then.

Cooper should be getting her top braces off shortly, and the bottom ones in not too long. They are just centering everything again. Then it's retainer's for her too!

We have finally graduated from Primary. Thank goodness! Cymbre was so ready to be done. She got her Faith in God award, but it took the primary 3 weeks to manage to get the certificate signed and too her. Ummmmm.....what?

We got to skype Baby Eden the other night....always a favorite thing for this Grandma!

The girls have been working on coloring file folder games for the babies for Christmas....I convinced them to do it as one of Cymbre's YW projects, and they are making good progress. Cymbre will get a project done, and Cooper will get some hours towards her honor bee. A win, win don't you think? And the babies will have some fun games to play as they get a bit bigger! So 3 wins I guess.

I have been working on the crocheted baby blanket for the baby blessings. Still can't decide if I like this pattern or not....maybe just a few more inches will help me decide. Pretty bad when I can't make a decision I know.

I have talked to Dad's family and let them know that we are coming, and that we want to get both families together on August 13th. It should be fun, and the girls are looking forward to seeing everyone at Grandma's house again.

There really isn't much other news....we've had a fairly quiet week for a change. FINALLY!

Remember that I love you, and that you should get out there and do some service for someone.

Love you.

Mom

Whatever! I guess....

July 22, 2010

Ok, so we started Cymbre's tap solo today....everyone needs to say their prayers that her knee will allow her to compete this year. She made it through about an hour of dance today....that's the longest she has done recently. She has been stretching like a crazy person this week! That muscle better grow if it knows what's good for it! That's all I have to say....

Cymbre's solo is called Peppermint Twist....she is going to wear the red short prom dress and I will add some peppermint design material to make some swirls on the skirt. Then some kind of hat, and I will be done with one costume. well, there will have to be some rhinestones.

Cooper's ribcage is still VERY PAINFUL! Thank goodness Dr. Ermac gave us some of those lidocaine numbing patches. That's what's allowing her to breath fully. He thinks she will be able to dance again next week. Why do we always have to get some strange injury at dance class.

We spent the afternoon cleaning out cupboards and drawers in the kitchen. Got rid of all the stuff I have collected over the years, and now we don't use.....you know, things like water bottles, baby spoons, toddler spoons, broken spatulas, bent wooden spoons, mixer beaters that the mixer died years ago. We discovered that we have tons of birthday candles. Guess we have lots of birthdays around here. We found all the corn on the cob handles....they were hiding down with the brown sugar. Who knew they were friends? And did you know that you can collect a million little medicine cups over the course of a few years. Those little pests seem to multiply right before your eyes. The measuring spoons are all matched up again...now I just have to teach the girls to not take them off the little ring things....then they will stay organized. The chances of that are about ten zillion to one! Gone are the tupperware containers with no lids, and the broken rubbermaid lids. All the runaway twisty ties are in a ziplock bag, and so are the holiday goodie bags I use for treats in the girls lunches. I discovered that I had a unique collection of broken wooden spoons. I mean what good is a spoon without it's handle? And just where are the handles? And the best find ever...the lids to my slimfast cups! Now I can shake it again instead of using a spoon to mix it up!

We had to go for Cymbre's new orthodontist x-rays....we were there fifteen minutes before our appointment time, and left the place 10 minutes before our appointment time. We were finished that fast! We had to go get this so we can begin her braces treatment again....now that her permanent teeth are all coming in. Thank goodnesss, we have finished paying for Cooper just in time to start paying for Cymbre.

Cooper is working on her honor bee for Young Womens....she is helping Cymbre on a value project. They are coloring file folder games for my GRANDBABIES! Funny, I convinced them to color them for Christmas for the babies. Now I just have to cut out, laminate, and add the velcro!

Cooper had a wonderful time at EFY. She is ready to go again already. She got her first standing ovation when she performed her jazz solo....she was thrilled. But she did say that since she hasn't danced in two months, her stamina isn't what it used to be.

Well, I am going to shut this down for tonight.....have to go get my bath so I can finish my book I am reading. I want to add it to the box I need to send Britni! Sounds like a good reason to take a bath to me....

It's raining yet again this week.....don't you just love hurricane season....all these tropical storms. Nothing like about a 1,000 percent humidity!

Well, everyone get out there and do something nice for someone you don't know. Make their day, and yours will be better too! I promise. Be brave...just do it!

Remember that Dad and I love you all very much...we are proud of you!

Love,

Mom

Insoles!

July 16, 2010

So today after Cymbre went to physical therapy for her knee, we decided that it was finally time to go purchase her new tap shoes and jazz shoes for this coming season. So we go to the dance store. AND, we start trying the tap shoes on. Well, things got complicated when we told the lady that she has to wear these insoles from the foot doctor in her shoes to help prevent the tendon injury she ENDURED last year. I say endured because that's exactly what both girls did! Those injuries are VERY PAINFUL! And I don't mind saying....they take FOREVER to heal! It seems that tap shoes are not like regular shoes....they look like regular shoes with taps on the bottoms. But don't let that deceive you! We tried on pair after pair, using her variety of insoles. Then we finally had to go to a bigger size in a different brand. For Cymbre, dancing without the insole is NOT an option! Now we have this brand that Cooper beat to death last year...but a more expensive shoe than Cooper had. Guess we will see what happens. We also found a jazz shoe....thank goodness without as much trouble.

With all the problems Cymbre has, it's just not worth going without the stuff the foot surgeon says she needs.

Her physical therapist is beginning to get frustrated. It seems like every week we are dealing with pain somewhere different in her knee. He thinks it's because she has grown 3 inches just this summer, and her muscles are not keeping up with the bones. Today he said she needed to go home and live with him, or he needed in install cameras in our house in order to monitor her every move to see just what's making what hurt. She thought going home with him would be the best. I think she is a bit biased though since she knows he has a new baby at his house! I mean...I'm just saying! Today they were working on her ham string and then again below her knee. I guess, in the end, we decided to just write down everytime something makes it hurt. And also what she was doing for 30 minutes before to see if we can put together some kind of pattern as to what it causing her such irritation. Some days it doesn't hurt at all, and some days she can ride her bike with Dad with no pain. Then some days, all she has to do is try to attempt to dance for a few minutes, and it sends her for ice with tears. At this point, I am living for the promises she has received in multiple priesthood blessings to finally kick in. She keeps being told that everything will be fine, and that she will be able to continue to dance. I must admit, I would rather that happen sooner than later though. I have decided that I do not handle medical issue frustration well at all. And after this past year with the girls and my own health issues, you would think that I would be better at this frustration part. And it is alright with me if Heavenly Father just decides I can't do this and doesn't make me keep trying! However, it doesn't look like that's going to happen, so we have a physical therapy appointment for Friday at 10am AGAIN! Jeff thinks we will deal with this Osgood slaughter stuff she has until she is fully grown! Wonderful! Why can't bones and muscles grown at the same speed....and why does it have to happen to kids? Cymbre is really good at ENDURANCE though...so I guess something good has come out of this experience for her when combined with her eye issues this past year. And another benefit, we are having fun with all the therapists at the place....they all come say hi to her...and they all cheer her on. She is the youngest patient they have.

Cooper received a standing ovation for her jazz solo at the EFY variety show yesterday. She was pleased since she really hadn't danced the solo since recital. That's the first standing ovation she has received, and I must admit, we were all very proud of her....I don't think that kind of pride is bad! It looks like her foot is fine....thank goodness! She hasn't tried pointe again yet, and frankly, I'm scared to let her. However, there is no holding her back....so let the dancing begin! at least I know a wonderful foot surgeon, and a terrific physical therapist!

This coming Sunday will be the last one for Cymbre in primary....she is SO READY to go to Young Womens! And we are ready to finally graduate from primary. I mean, we have been going for 27-28 years! Don't you think it's about time?

Cooper had a fantastic time at girl's camp, and now has another special friend in Brother Bennett. He came to us last Sunday and told us that he was the driver home after the river rafting trip. It was late, so he stopped and got a 44 oz Dr. Pepper to have some caffeine to keep him awake. However, he had Cooper in the front seat with him, and he has decided that if you have Cooper in the car, NO ONE needs caffeine! He said his face hurt, and his stomach muscles hurt because he laughed so much on the 2 hour ride home with her. I guess her having BFF's in the priesthood leaders, and the patriarch is not such a bad thing these days.

Cymbre and I have been working on some sewing she wanted to do lately while Cooper has been gone. She has made two blankets, one for Baby Jack, and one for Baby Eden. Currently, she is making a tote bag to use on our trip to see Grandpa and Grandma. And then we also have some summer shorts we are finishing.

The girls are more than excited to be going to Denver for a couple of weeks. They are excited about seeing their cousins, but Grandpa is the REAL DRAW! Go figure! I think Grandpa is in for at least one trip to Dairy Queen, and one trip to Country Buffet while we are there. And then there are the cousin sleep overs, and they want to go to the farm animals made from tools with Grandpa Flanagan, and then they want to go to Arby's for lunch with him too. We didn't have time to do that again last time, so we are hoping to kidnap the Grandpa's and do it this time. Maybe I'll just let the Grandpa's take the girls, and I'll go to lunch with Aunt Jean! We girls ALWAYS go to lunch with Aunt Jean!

AND....the best news this week! we are having another GRANDBABY!!!! It's a girl! And there is a second one coming in January, but we don't know what that one is yet.....can you believe it? It's SO VERY EXCITING! This Grandma has already starting shopping and planning the sewing! I have to get it done before I have to start making dance costumes again.

That's about all the news for today.....say your prayers for Cymbre's knee, and remember Aunt Anny too. And while you are at it, why don't you take a cupcake to your neighbor....it will brighten their day.

Love you bunches and bunches.....

Mom

Back To School Shopping!

July 12, 2010

So Dad took Cooper to EFY in San Antonio today, and we are waiting for him to come home. While he was gone, we took the sweat mobile (green Van) to the store to do some school supply shopping.!

I like to get the shopping done before all the lunatic moms are on the aisles thinking that they are the only ones who need items, and start fights when the supplies run low! I know I end up paying more for some of the stuff, but I still have my dignity when I leave the store. AND, I don't have to fight all those little kids grabbling everything the last week before school!

The girls absolutely LOVE to go school supply shopping...they look for the really neat folders, highlighters, pencils, etc. And we have discovered that if you don't do the shopping when they first put everything out, it isn't there anymore.

I could order the supply kits from the school, but the girls don't like the brands they put in those kits. The markers are dried out, the binders break the first time you use them, and the kleenex is scratchy! Hence, we yearly shopping trip.

It's also new underware time....I think underware is built to wear out just as school finishes so you have to buy new before you can send the little darlings back! AND, you CAN'T find just a package of WHITE underware anymore. You have to have all these crazy patterns and colors. Or you can have disney characters....what teenager wants Tinkerbell underware?

I am also in the market for a bulk order of flash drives. It seems that the teachers LOVE to have things turned in to them on them, but they can't manage to GIVE THEM BACK to the kid! They all probably have big drawers full of flash drives hiding in the back room somewhere! AND, we put our name on them BEFORE we turn them in, so what's the problem? Maybe the teachers don't know that you can actually RE-USE a flash drive.....they can be erased you know! Cymbre lost like 6 of them last year....I feel like I should send the school a bill! Is it to much to ask for the flash drive to be returned like a graded assignment paper....oh wait, those don't seem to get returned either.....half the time they are lost between the turn-in basket and the grade book! AND that's always the kids fault too! What's with that when the kid put's the paper in the basket, and the teacher loose's the thing taking it home to grade, but then the kid is accused of not turning it in. OR my favorite, it must be in with some other class....it wasn't turned in on time. WELL, how did it get with another class when the kid turns it in at the beginning of their own class period? Maybe teachers need to be just a tad bit more organized? Do they consider how much time the kids spend doing the assignment that they so carelessly just loose? My son-in-law was a teacher at BYU, and he didn't seem to have issues with lost papers, or missing graded assignments! Maybe I am just a bit biased in his direction....he is married to my daughter, and the dad of my GRANDBABY! But my son was in his class and didn't have a problem too!

Well, at any rate, we have finished Cymbre's supply shopping and will have to take Cooper when she gets back from San Antonio.

Guess that's about it for right now...going to buy movie tickets!

Misc. Stuff!

July 8, 2010

Today Cymbre and I enjoyed lunch with Sister Weinken....we went to Chili's and had a ball! she loves her giraffe paper towel holder Cymbre got her for her birthday.

Then we stopped at Charming Charlie's oon the way home. I have bought a couple of new outfits at the outlet mall and wanted to find some necklaces to go with them. I found a couple of things, but we have decided that when Cooper is home from EFY, we need to go down to Harwin street before school starts. We usually do that, and look for dance costume jewelry at the same time.

We also stopped at the mall, but didn't find the present we were looking for, so we will have to see if it is available online. No sooner did we get home, then Lens Crafter's called and said my new glasses were ready....give me a break...I should have checked when we were at the mall. Guess we will either go later tonight while Dad goes to the temple, or will go in the morning.

We have to go at lunch time tomorrow and pick up Cooper's suitcase from camp. She will come later after her river rafting trip. The lugguage is coming home with the ward girls, and she comes home with the Stake people. Still don't know where to pick her up or what time, so I guess they will be calling parents. she has probably gotten rained on everyday whe has been at camp...thank you tropical storms.

I bought a new candle at the Yankee Candle store at the mall....it's called Autumn Wreath! Smells really good....I know it's a bit early for that kind of smell, but I couldn't resist. I will burn the lilac one or tulip one tomorrow.

Picked up my bloodwork results from the Dr. today....will have Dad fax them to Dr. Ermac tomorrow. They wanted to stick me again last week, and I wouldn't let them when I went in for my physical. It doesn't make sense doing the same tests twice in one week! Especially since I gave up 4 vials of blood the first time. The Dr. called and told me I have to take perscription Vitamin D because I am so low....great....and calcium. So, I guess I have to do that since it is really low. They think my heart muscle and my bones need it. At least my cholesterol is fine, and so is my thyroid. I guess I should be grateful for that since we just adjusted everything. I must admit, I am feeling better.

Do you realize that the girl's summer vacation is almost half over? Not possible, we haven't really done anything fun yet! But we do have most of the doctor appointments taken care of, thank goodness!

Cooper goes to EFY in San Antonio next week....we moved her to that session when she got her staph infection. Thank goodness they found a spot for her.

I started to crochet a baby blanket for the new grandbabies that are coming.....don't really know if I like it, so I may take it out and change to a different pattern.

Mark Longacre was here last night for dinner. We enjoyed visiting with him, but I did tell him he needs to bring Maria with him next time.

Dad said he talked to Uncle Glen again, and Aunt Anny isn't doing so well. She had her first chemo treatment, and things are pretty rough right now. So, extra prayers won't hurt.

I showed off my photo keychain again today. Sister Weinken thinks I have cute grandbabies, but she thinks hers are cuter....a likely story! She doesn't have a keychain though! Nor does she have a Grandma's Brag Book! Everybody be jealous!

We skyped Baby Eden again today....she smiles when she recognizes us. I just love that smile!

Cymbre got her hair cut again yesterday...it's SO CUTE! This new style really looks great on her. We also bought another highlight kit. And I need to do my hair again...however, she cut it so short, it just spikes up at the moment, so I am going to let it grow out a bit first.

Guess that's about all the news for tonight......get out there and do some service for someone.

Love you,

Mom

Hugs to Courtney...feel better soon!

Pen, Pencil, or Crayon?

July 5, 2010

We spent a couple of hours yesterday cleaning out the pencils, pens, markers, and crayons. This is a yearly job at our house....and IT ALWAYS SEEMS TO TAKE FOREVER!! I don't know how we have come up with what seems likes THOUSANDS of pencils, pens, and markers! And I am sure we have MILLIONS of crayons! It's like they multiply overnight! Do you know how many birthday pencils we have? Or Halloween ones? Christmas? And how often do you have a request for a clown pencil, or Batman? There are #2 pencils, Ticonderoga pencils, heck, there's even some of those funny ones from England in that drawer! Who knew a pencil's lifespan was over 15-17 years! How does that work? There are sharp pencils, broken point pencils, mechanical pencils, brand new pencils, red pencils, blue pencils, green pencils, yellow pencils....sort of like red fish...blue fish..well, you know! There are pencils with bright and shiny erasers, and those that have erasers that should have retired years ago. Some pencils have teeth marks....I think they belonged to Caleb at some point! Some pencils have people's names on them, and some have smiley faces drawn on them? There are long pencils, medium length pencils...but I threw away all the nubby little ones! No, there was not time to plan a funeral for the lot of them...there were too many markers to deal with! Speaking of markers....just how many half used yellow highlighters does one family need? Do they have never emptying ink wells? Who is the genie that granted that wish? Does she live with the tooth fairy? Maybe Dad could find her phone number.... Are they just so attached to us that they can't bear to give up the final drop of ink? Just when will they highlight their final word? Is there some country in Africa that is sadly lacking in yellow highlighters because they are ALL living in the drawer at our house? Maybe they need to be enrolled in some 12 step program for partially used highlighters....anyone have a recommendation? I thought about throwing the half-used ones away, but you know, just when I do and the trash man drives away....Dad will need one! And just how many black fine tipped permanent markers does one drawer need? We seem to have one for each family member...including the family members who don't live here anymore! Although, the ones that don't live here anymore get to have the ones with the not-so-sharp points if I get a say! The one that Mom uses has the best, sharpest point...I mean I have to write all those lunch notes! And I use them to send packages to those Grandbabies! And to label the pencil drawer! I have considered adoption, but that's too time consuming for a marker! They could run out of ink before they got the papers all filled out! When we got to the crayon box, there was about to be a MUTINY! It seems the pink ones...who are sadly outnumbered, were taking on the brown ones for the top positions in the box! The purple ones were cowering in the corners, and the green ones were envious of the pink ones courage! The maroon ones, and the burgundy ones were debating their true colors, and the blue ones were feeling sort of "blue"! The yellow crayons were trying to be "sunny", but the black ones were drawing thunder clouds EVERYWHERE! The orange crayons were trying to build a fire with the help of some yellow ones, but the brown ones weren't giving up any logs for the cause! It took some work, but we managed to get everything under control, and everyone settled down. We sorted through them all, separated the trouble makers...those twist down ones never really show all their colors! We threw away all the little nubbly ones. I actually think they are the ones that have lived long and useful lives and are ready to retire to the great crayon heaven beyond! Now we are left with a big box of good crayons...no broken ones! Although there are some naked ones....who knows why they have shed their wrappers. Maybe they are depressed! Maybe I should leave a color book in the crayon box, so they could scribble out their frustrations! I know I am not going to sew new clothes for them....I am NOT crazy! At any rate, for one more year, the drawers are all organized with everyone in the right drawer. Maybe we can find what we are looking for when school starts again and we have to draw those dumb maps! In the mean time, I think I will advertise for a kindergarten teacher who is willing to adopt and love some very used crayons!

And on this note....I just want to let the kids know...I have not lost my mind!

Hug those grandbabies, and skype Grandma soon!

Mom