What's wrong with this picture??

We took about 20 family pictures via timer method today.

The kids were told to smile each time the picture was about to take.

One certain 7-yr-old wasn't feeling it apparently.

All but two of the pictures turned out similar to this. (The other two I have proudly posted on my "family" blog.)

So, here ya go. One big happy family with one little grump.....

Enjoy!!

The Official Color of This Month

Can't hold my alcohol...

Last night was a rough night. Kayla's cough worsened dramatically and her fever spiked, sending us to the ER just before 10:00 pm.

Turned out to be bronchitis on top of the flu.

Two hours later, I took her back home and tucked her in bed, then ran back out to get her prescription filled.

I also stocked back up on Children's Motrin, Tylenol, and cough medicine because we have been going through those like water.

I also grabbed some much needed Theraflu, Flu and Sore Throat for myself. I felt like I was holding liquid gold in my hand because I so desperately needed relief from my own pain.

Now, usually I don't take any kind of medicine like that....I tend to sleep to deeply to function if needed in the middle of the night, and I feel so groggy in the morning that I wish I hadn't have done it.

But I was desperate, so after waking Kayla to give her antibiotics, I returned to the kitchen to my prized bottle of Theraflu and carefully read the directions.

Adult dose: 2 tsblsbskflkdadfd;akfldkj

2 teaspoons, right? I took one of the kiddie measuring cups, poured myself two teaspoons, and swigged it like a pro. Oh, how warm and soothing it was against my raw throat!

Immediately I went to bed and quickly fell into a deep, deep, Theraflu induced sleep. I did not wake up until morning when my alarm went off, signaling me to call the schools.

I groggily called to inform them that my children were sick again and would not be there again today.

Then realizing the children were still sound asleep in their beds, I crawled back into bed and quickly drifted back to sleep. Two hours later I awoke to their noises, still very groggy and unable to clear the fog in my head.

It took me another two hours to feel like I had finally shaken off the medicine. "Well", I mused, "At least I got some good rest. It was worth taking."

The rest of the day was pretty uneventful up until I happened to notice the size of the cap on the Theraflu. "That's a very large cap." I thought to myself. I held it up and realized there was writing on it with dosage lines....."1 TBLS" "2 TBLS".

At that moment I realized I hadn't even come close to taking the adult dose of that stuff.

What can I say? I'm a weakling!!

P.S. I took the above picture this afternoon as I was washing the dishes for the day. I always leave the medicine cups for last. Those are just from today's doses of medicine for the kids. Three sick kids + tylenol +motrin + antibiotics + course of the day = 12 little cups and one syringe.

Yeah, this is really fun stuff!

Advantage

There may be one advantage to being sick. Right now, my husband is in the kitchen washing the dishes....a rare event. Don't tell him I blogged about it or it may never happen again!!

~Katy

Balm of Gilead

Six and a half years ago, I moved from a place I truly loved. Shortly after that event, my life started to crumble around me and left me facing difficult decisions and searching for a way to pick up the pieces of my shattered life and move on.

Though I was able to find a way to happily move on with my life, there has been one wound that has been slow to heal. In the years since I moved away from Utah, a move that seemed to be the catalyst to much pain and heartache in my life, I had been unable to return to that land I loved.

Until a few weeks ago........

Due to the passing of my father-in-law, we had the opportunity to travel to Utah for his burial. David and I decided to continue up to the Provo/Salt Lake valley after the services, to spend a few days visiting old friends and places. Or in other words, to provide me with some much needed healing and resolution.

It was an indescribable feeling. On the day that we went up to Salt Lake, as we rounded the point of the mountain, I was overcome with emotion of seeing the Salt Lake valley again after so long. I turned to David in tears and told him how I felt like I was returning home. David tried to be very sweet and consoling which he deserves a lot of credit for.....afterall, what man wants to have to deal with a wife in tears any more than he has to?

I know that Utah is not meant to be home to me at this point in my life, but for a few days, my soul was fed with the soothing reassurance that my life is okay having left all of that behind. I have learned to grow where I'm planted and to appreciate all the blessings that surround me now, but I also so needed to bring closure to that part of my life.

And, in the short time that I was there I got to spend time with a few of my oldest and dearest friends. I was so thrilled to get to spend time with these ladies!! They have always been there for me through the good and bad and being together was just like old times!

Thank you Cami for allowing us to invade your home and leave a mess in our wake (you know what I'm referring to! )

I also had the sheer pleasure of being able to attend the Relief Society General Conference session with these gals and afterwards we enjoyed a delicious meal at one of my favorite Salt Lake City restuarants, Tucci's. We talked and laughed and just had a fabulous evening! I miss you girls!

I only regret not having enough time to visit everyone I would have loved to see, but I am resolved that it will not be another six and a half years before I make it back!

In the meantime, my soul has been fed and healed and coming back home (as I have learned to accept it as) was nearly as refreshing. Afterall, I have learned to grow where I've been planted.

~Katy

Self-imposed Blogging Rules

Rule # 1

Only blog when a). There are no dishes waiting in the sink and b.) There are no piles of laundry waiting to be folded and put away

Rule #2

Do not blog between the hours of 10:30 pm - 6:30 am

Rule #3

Blog Often

If this blog goes more than a week without an update, send a search party. I am probably buried under a pile of dishes and laundry.

~ Katy

Fresh Start

What is it about starting fresh that feels so good?

I love starting a new year with new resolutions even though I rarely stick with them for more than a few weeks.

I love moving into a new home...by new I don't mean as in "brand new" (have yet to experience that one!) but as in a new place. A new start. A chance to be a new person there that somehow I wasn't able to be in my previous dwelling. So maybe I don't magically morph into anyone different, but it still feels good.

I love discovering new things and learning new ways to make living life better. Somehow they do help me magically morph into a different person. At least a slightly improved person.

Most of all, I love the atonement. It allows all of us to become "new" over and over again. When our old character is marred and damaged by sin and wrongdoings, we have a way to make a new, fresh, start.

Tonight, I am relishing the joy of starting a new blog. Reminds me of my teenagers years and the excitement I felt at starting a new journal. *Laughs* Almost makes me want to go blow the dust off of my most "recent" journal and relish that pasttime. Almost, but not quite.

I've decided to start a new blog. Definitely not because I was so good at keeping up with my old one that I felt adequate to maintain two.

But, I've decided to pursue a new purpose and direction with my blogging and a fresh start seemed only appropriate for my venture. So dear readers, please excuse all of my old bad habits that I will most likely carry over despite my attempts to leave those behind. After all, I undoubtedly will not magically morph into a fabulous blogger. But hey, it's okay to settle for mediocre, no?

~ Katy