Sick Emma

Emma has been living on popsicles, cough drops and cloroseptic spray for the past 6 days. Grammy brought her (and Hudson and Gracie) a slurpee on Friday and she was on cloud nine! We got a call on Friday night that the overnight strep test had come back positive. She has been so brave and I feel so bad for her. I also feel bad for myself, I'm really worried the whole family is going to come down with it despite my best efforts in keeping the house sanitary. We've gone through two cans of disinfectant spray and I've done about 20 loads of laundry. That's just how it goes I suppose. Now that she's been on the antibiotic for a few days she is starting to perk up which is good to see. She is really missing her friends at school and hopefully will be able to go tomorrow. What a good girl our little Emma is.

Elmo

Gracie has recently discovered Elmo! When we decorated for Christmas I found the Happy Holidays Elmo DVD and put it on for the kids. She has been asking for "La, La" around the clock ever since. You'll notice she is clearly annoyed by my taking pictures of her and blocking the T.V. She has also discovered that Emma and Hudson know how to turn it on and is very good at letting them know what she wants. When Emma asks her what she wants for Christmas, she is quick to reply "la, la". It brings back memories of Emma lazing in her Elmo chair at around the same age. What is it with this furry, red monster? They love him!

Christmas Cookie Fun!

Emma has had a sore throat for the past 3 days and so we thought we'd make the most of her being home with us, even though she wasn't feeling the best! We made a huge mess and the kids actually did a really good job. We had lots of fun delivering these to friends and neighbors. It's Christmas, hooray!

The Book Fair Drama

So, it's been a long time since I have posted. I am not nearly as diligent as my darling sister Char. I'm not sure where she finds the time. Anyway, I just needed to vent (to someone other than Boyd who is so tired of hearing about the "book fair").
This past month I was in charge of the Layton Elementary School book fair. No problem right? That's what I thought. However, I forget that people are somewhat unreliable. Between getting volunteers, setting up (which required rounding up 14 tables, picking them up and setting them up), being there to open it and close it down, putting up fliers, sending fliers out to each student and taking it down it was quite the process. Not to mention I was also in charge of Family Week which I had to get all done the same week as the book fair. Poor Hudson one night asked me as I was heading out the door to close down "Mom, how many more days until the book fair is over?" I felt about an inch tall as I realized how confusing and hard it must be for him to understand why Mom is always leaving for something called the "book fair." I think it would have been easier to donate the $622. we made to the school and call it good. I think I'll suggest that next year.
The drama continues as I must say that in trying to schedule the book fair for the spring. Which I was told to do after the fall book fair by the lady in charge last year. That in fact, all of the companies that offer book fairs are completely full for the dates we need them. I guess I'm going to be fired from being in charge of the book fair (hooray!) Actually, the PTA president was so kind and told me not to worry about it. This is really taking up way too much of my much needed time and energy!

Halloween

We had so much fun with Halloween this year. Emma was Rapunzel, Hudson was a dragon, and Gracie was a duck.

I should explain the mascara rings around Emma's eyes. She got lost from her class on her way to the parade and was so sad. She quickly found them but not after a few tears. Luckily, she fit right in with the spooks for Halloween. I helped with her school party and we also had a party with some kids in the neighborhood for Hudson and Gracie. The ward also had a party. Basically, we had a party every day all week long. Boyd took the kids to a trunk or treat at his parents church and then they went to a few houses in the neighborhood. Gracie came home early and enjoyed the extra attention from Grandpa, Grammy, and Aunt Mel.

The kids think we should have a party everyday. They are always asking, who's coming over today? Or, who's birthday is tomorrow. Every time we really "clean" up the house they ask who is coming over (I guess that means I should "clean" more).

Our Family Will be GROWING!!!

So, many of you that read this are already aware that we are in the process of adopting two children from Ethiopia. It has somewhat taken over our life for the past few months. We feel so blessed to have the opportunity to share all that we have with two more precious children. We feel so strongly that they are waiting to come into our family and we are so excited. We are nearing having our home study completed and will be waiting for approval from the Ethiopian government then we will be able to accept referrals. After we accept a referral, it will be another few months. We are hoping maybe in the Spring we will be able to go and get them. That sounds like a long time but with Christmas only 36 days away it will be here before we know it! Feel free to e-mail me if you have any questions, we are open and happy to answer any questions you may have. We are excited to be a multicultural family!!!

No more nuts!

Well, I haven't written for a few weeks and so much has happened. First of all, we took Gracie if for her 18 month check up and she is doing wonderful. She had an appointment with an allergist regarding her peanut allergy. We are so lucky that we know early and can be preventing any further reactions. We have epipens all over now and hopefully will never have to use them. Because we have no history in our families it is all very new to us and we are learning all we can. Any advise would be appreciated.