I made the Red Cross, cross

Yesterday, instead of our lunchtime exercising, Tony and I decided to give blood.  I haven't done it for many years. The last time I gave, I passed out and barfed all over.  I wanted to give it another try.  All was going great till they finished and unhooked everything.  Then everything started spinning and going black.  Once again, I passed out and barfed all over.... it was horrible.  The nice ladies suggested that I not give blood any more, but maybe I could help by passing out cookies or doing paper-work!  Tony had to drive me home, and I've spent the last 24 hours feeling weak and dizzy.  I think next time I'll volunteer to pass out the juice and cookies!

Tree farm

I spent a lot of time out in the yard, planting trees. It would have been really fun, except that the wind was blowing so hard! I finally had to give up because my trees kept blowing over and my wheelbarrow did too! I am so excited to get some trees started! When I picked up my fruit trees this morning, the man helping me said "you must have grown up on a farm." I thought that was a wonderful compliment!!!!

For the Strength of Youth

Today in RS we had a special presentation/welcome for 5 girls who are graduating from high school and will be joining us in the "old lady" class. I'm looking forward to getting to know them and what they can teach me. Our Bishop is encouraging all of the members to read and study the pamphlet, "For the Strength of Youth". Tonight I read about language and I loved this quote....

" How you speak says much about who you are. Clean and intelligent language is evidence of a bright and wholesome mind." I really believe that this is true. When I was in college, a few of us would occasionally use inappropriate language. We made a "swearing jar" and whenever we said something we shouldn't, we would have to put a quarter in the jar. We were all on very tight budgets, and this wasn't always easy!!!! Then at the end of the semester, we got pizza with the money we had collected... what a treat! Not only was the pizza wonderful, we felt good about helping each other become better people.

Born Again Blog

OK.  Tony has inspired me to start blogging again.  I have thought about it often, but not known where to start.  It's not that I don't have the time... I have as much time as everyone else does.... I just have so many things that I want to do!  My resources (time, energy, money, etc...) are far exceeded by my aspirations!!!!!  I am working in being a good Mom, Wife, RS president, homemaker, relative, landscaper, cook, gardener, and on and on!  I just can't do all of it at the same time!  I have to work on some things now, and some things at other times.... I hope I live long enough to fit everything in!!!

Tony and I at the Gallagher show.  This was what I did for my birthday!
We had 3rd row seats, so we got pretty splattered with spaghettiO's, cottage cheese, mustard, etc...

For Thanksgiving we stayed home.  This was the first time we've ever had Thanksgiving dinner in our own home, and I got to cook everything.  What a lot of work!  It was really fun though, and everything turned out pretty good.  We had Tony's uncle, Sheldon, and some of his family over.

On the day after Thanksgiving we headed for the woods to find a Christmas tree.  We weighted the truck down with sandbags, took extra food and water, and were prepared for any winter mishap.  Luckily everything went great and we found a nice 12 foot tree.  The kids cut it down by themselves and we all had a great time! 






Decorating the Christmas tree. 

Whatever

This is Jacob getting his EEG done on Monday morning. He had to stay up all night, so he would fall asleep during the test. He had a seizure last Sunday, so we are trying to figure out what caused it. His CT scan and bloodwork were normal. We don't think it will be serious, but we have to rule out the big stuff like tumors and epilepsy. I can't wait to get the results so I can stop worrying!




The honey bear that I murdered in the microwave. (Doesn't his face look sad?)

Settling In

Life is finally slowing down, and I feel like a human being again!  We moved into our new house about 4 weeks aago.  It was very fun, but hard too.  We lived without a refrigerator, washer, or dryer for 10 days, till ours arrived.  During that time we had company twice.  Tony's Mom had a stroke, and that has been hard on everyone.  We are not able to visit her as often as we'd like.  My Grandpa has been having serious heart trouble, but had surgery yesterday and things are looking up.  We've all been sick with nasty colds.  School started, and with all the kids in different schools, it's been hard to keep up! 

 

A bunch of Derricott cousins at the Johnny Sack cabin in Island Park.

Yesterday the kids all participated in a 1-mile fun run.  It was a beautiful morning!  Emily ran most of the way, but due to colds and un-fitness, the boys walked most of it. 

 We were so surprised at the end when Erik was announced as the first place winner in his division!!!!  He got a medal and is so very proud of it!!!  After the race, there was a drawing.  Jacob won a football.  At the end, the grand prizes were two new bikes.  We couldn't believe it when Erik was called as the winner of one of them!!!  It was so funny because it was about 2 feet high with training wheels!!!!

 

Erik was so sweet about it!  He took it to Walmart and exchanged it for a girls bike for Emily, since she has outgrown hers, and he got a new bike last Christmas.  Sometimes my kids amaze me!