I'm at that time of year where it seems like I get a little sick of winter and what it means for us. I think I do much better when I don't have to battle Jackson to put coats on, when I don't have to wear socks, when I don't have to scrape ice off the car, when I don't slip and fall at least twice a week, when I don't have to figure out inside things to do, when I don't have to go to the library to "get energy out", when I don't have to pack blankets in the stroller... do you get the point? We've been a busy little group lately. Jackson's definitely outgrown our little apartment and starting to go stir crazy himself. James took on a part time job back at the hospital's speed clinic (as if his load wasn't already big). BUT, hopefully it will lead to something for summer and at least it'll add a little more to savings every month. We've started interviews with work to hire for the summer and next year. That just means that the majority of afternoons I'm gone and I hate when I start to feel this busy. I like work better when I do it during nap time or 6:00 in the morning before everyone gets up. But you know, it's all worth it.
I have a very strange resident this semester, we'll call him "ALEX". Alex touches people (rubs legs, runs his fingers through my hair, etc.) and talks very monotonous. I have always tried to avoid him, but seem to run into him constantly. When he started even more eccentric behavior, I took him to meet with our psychologist, Tom. The meeting informed us all that Alex must just have a developmental disorder. Intelligently he's a genius, but socially, he never made it past 5-6 years old. It hit me real hard how blessed I am to get to know people like this. People that most of my life I probably would have avoided. I became really grateful that I do learn how to deal with ANY sort of person. It made the long hours worth it to have that little change in perception. This job helped me recognize my friend with bad depression, and handle all sorts of people in my ward. Some of us need that extra help to be more understanding....
I also "rescued" this very angry lady at Walgreen's. She wanted the pharmacist to call the cops for her because she had "reason to believe her house was being vandalized". The pharmacist refused so I offered to make the call. After taking down her name and address in Saratoga Springs, she responded" Well, aren't you the nicest lady I've ever met. I own an inspirational gift company and IF I HAD TIME, I'd send you something to say thank-you." She then drove off. Ha ha, I'm going to say that more often "IF I HAD TIME....".
James has had a bad cold and flu this past week and hasn't slept without Ny-quill yet, but he still faithfully attended the Klondike camp out and slept in the snow. I think his favorite part was the "deep-fried" competition, where each boy brought something to fry and share. James took snickers, but I think my funnel cake batter (made out of Bisquick) was not a hit. He made it home in time to take me and Jackson and my 2 little cousins to the park and to get the famous 50-piece chicken nuggets form McDonalds before the big BYU basketball game. That was about all the energy we both had and we enjoyed a nice night at home with NOTHING going on. That's very rare.
Despite my negative comments on the weather, this past weekend was really nice and I've made it out for 3 walks! I even considered walking to church. With that said, snow's supposed to come Thursday...
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Start the new year off right with...
REPTILE POISONING.
We came back from AZ and all of us had some form of the flu. I thought Jackson's coughing/cold flu has taken a turn for the worse when he started with the strangest diarrhea I'd ever seen and a BAD case of diaper rash. I went to the doctor with the intent to get his second flu shot when she asked about his symptoms. She then asked me if Jackson had ever come in contact with any reptiles. I laughed and said no. "No pet snakes or turtles?" I laughed again and then she told me to think real hard about it because he had all the signs of reptile poisoning. It took me several minutes to realize that we had gone to the Bean Museum's live reptile show where Jackson did touch Mojo, a unique lizard.
"Did you wash his hands immediately after?"
- "No, they only let him touch with 3 fingers."
"Did you at least use sanitizer?"
- No, but I did hand some to the other moms.
Well, then yes, he does have reptile poisoning. He probably spread it through touching his already-runny nose.
This is about when I decided I really should be nominated for mother of the year! She explained that he would continually have worse diarrhea and worse diaper rash. Sure enough, his poor booty had huge bloody scabs all over and he couldn't even sit down or walk without screaming. I even still asked for his second flu shot! They explained I should not immunize a sick and poisoned child. :)
Luckily, I had already been giving him large doses of acidopholis (to help with his cold) and they think that kept it under control. So LOTS of cornstarch and Burt's bees later... he's a new man! Though next time, I'd suggest washing your hands at the Bean Museum.
"Did you wash his hands immediately after?"
- "No, they only let him touch with 3 fingers."
"Did you at least use sanitizer?"
- No, but I did hand some to the other moms.
Well, then yes, he does have reptile poisoning. He probably spread it through touching his already-runny nose.
This is about when I decided I really should be nominated for mother of the year! She explained that he would continually have worse diarrhea and worse diaper rash. Sure enough, his poor booty had huge bloody scabs all over and he couldn't even sit down or walk without screaming. I even still asked for his second flu shot! They explained I should not immunize a sick and poisoned child. :)
Luckily, I had already been giving him large doses of acidopholis (to help with his cold) and they think that kept it under control. So LOTS of cornstarch and Burt's bees later... he's a new man! Though next time, I'd suggest washing your hands at the Bean Museum.
Mr. Einstein anyone?
This is just a small announcement, that James got his best GPA this past fall semester. Better than any grades he's ever had at BYU, or high school for that matter. I couldn't be more proud of him and how much the athletic training program has increased his motivation for school and his happiness in life overall! He now realizes that a 4.0 might not be too far a shot for him, and, he has a calendar. That's right, a CALENDAR. (You would have to know James to know that this is a BIG step for him.) It's color coded, he checks it daily, and it even has a color for family times and scouts.
He works with the BYU track team now. And even though I hate that he has to give "upper hamstring and gluteal massages" to "eliminate knots and relieve cramping", we just try not to talk about it. I try to remind myself that at least he's not a gynecologist. At least he admits that he doesn't like the girls' uniforms (aka all-over spandex.) He spends most his time working with the men's track team and loves that his supervisor is a man and that he has more men in his semester now. He didn't even start the wrong class this semester! (Remember last year when he was going to the neurology class, not realizing that his real class was in the room next door. He would email the real professor for help on the topics and wonder why the syllabus never matched what they were learning? ) He has 17.5 credit hours, spends 20 at the clinical assignment, and still manages to eat at least 1 meal with me a day and play "boop" (basketball hoop) with Jackson. I had a good laugh last night. James only had an hour break before going to mutual and Jackson wanted to watch "foo-ball" with him. (They had watched the national championship game on the internet a while ago.) Jackson kept saying "foo-ball dad" pointing at the computer, and James had to hurry and eat and leave. He kept trying to say bye to Jackson, but over and over, Jackson "foo-ball dad, foo-ball dad". James left and Jackson was SO mad. He cried for at least 20 minutes in front of the computer "no dad, no foo-ball....". Turns out Jackson's more like his dad than we ever realized...
He works with the BYU track team now. And even though I hate that he has to give "upper hamstring and gluteal massages" to "eliminate knots and relieve cramping", we just try not to talk about it. I try to remind myself that at least he's not a gynecologist. At least he admits that he doesn't like the girls' uniforms (aka all-over spandex.) He spends most his time working with the men's track team and loves that his supervisor is a man and that he has more men in his semester now. He didn't even start the wrong class this semester! (Remember last year when he was going to the neurology class, not realizing that his real class was in the room next door. He would email the real professor for help on the topics and wonder why the syllabus never matched what they were learning? ) He has 17.5 credit hours, spends 20 at the clinical assignment, and still manages to eat at least 1 meal with me a day and play "boop" (basketball hoop) with Jackson. I had a good laugh last night. James only had an hour break before going to mutual and Jackson wanted to watch "foo-ball" with him. (They had watched the national championship game on the internet a while ago.) Jackson kept saying "foo-ball dad" pointing at the computer, and James had to hurry and eat and leave. He kept trying to say bye to Jackson, but over and over, Jackson "foo-ball dad, foo-ball dad". James left and Jackson was SO mad. He cried for at least 20 minutes in front of the computer "no dad, no foo-ball....". Turns out Jackson's more like his dad than we ever realized...
Christmas Break
We sure had a great and LONG Christmas break. After a week of missing Jackson, we were ready to get to Arizona! We woke up the Tuesday we wanted to leave to a crazy snow storm. Matt had been staying with us and we had so much fun spending the weekend with him. He cracks me up... always telling jokes, dancing the "dougie", making up pick up lines... He didn't even have a coat, had a hole in his shoes, and kept making whistling noises at the snow "wooooo-eeee". Even though it was hard plowing through the parking lot, we made it out, only to go 30 miles an hour max for the next 4-5 hours. James was a trooper and didn't really complain about the horrible roads. Matt slept the whole trip and even when we got to Mesa, it was still raining. Poor windshield wipers NEVER turned off! We picked up Jackson and went straight to the Andersen Christmas party (minus Mom, Dad, and Elder Matt.) We sure had a good time being with everyone eating dinner, skyping Wilford and Kathleen, making gingerbread houses, and the Santa was amazing (he even made the big boys sit on his lap!)
The next night was Sam's missionary dinner. This is one of my favorites traditions the Andersen's have. Though the testimony meetings always go a little long... It is so neat to see how many missionaries their family has. Sam sure seemed older and ready to serve in Texas.
Christmas Eve was the Anderson party. Shaela even brought the new baby, Jace. We had the usual nativity (James was a wise men and I was a shepherd AND we got to sing silent night. we're so good at duets.) Grandma and Grandpa Anderson and the sister missionaries came. My dad read some journal entries on meeting my mom and past Christmases they've had together. That was sure neat.
Christmas morning (can you believe I didn't take ANY pictures?) Jackson wasn't too in to opening presents. Once he opened one, he just wanted to sit and play and eat chocolate out of the stockings. I suprised James with some published blog books and an ESPN jeopardy game. He gave me some games and a present in MY language of love (aka. mesa thrift money!). We got to play some fun new Wii games (including SING-IT, in which I lost every round). We took naps and went over to Nate and Andrea's house for the evening.
All in all, we spent LOTS of time relaxing and enjoying having family around. Mansi and Brianna were the best babysitters and Jackson became obsessed with Bubba (Matt.) He still looks at pictures of him every day (even though they're tiny blurry ones on my phone, he still gets so excited). He calls his name out constantly and wants to see him on the computer (skype). The sad thing is, he kisses the screen! He LOVED the trampoline, grass, and playing with Libby and Tippy. Although Tippy bit the neighbor girl while we were there and had to be given away. My mom lightened and cut my hair and already, my appearance improved 100 points. James got to play lots of basketball and we enjoyed the Darl Andersen family reunion. (That was a little much for me, I'd never even met some of the cousins, and they don't schedule nap times!) We celebrated New Year's eve first by eating hot dogs with my famiyl and lighting off firecrackers. Then, James took a good 3 hour nap while I drove Matt, Mansi, and Brianna around the neighbor lighting off firecrackers and smoke bombs at random neighbor's houses, including grandma and grandpa Anderson's. (can you tell it was the first year fireworks were legal in Arizona?) Then James woke up and we spent the last few hours at the Merrill's playing cards and eating candy, then making a bunch of "rukus" out on orange street.
8 hours later, we started the drive back to Utah and thus, the cold. It is so hard for me to find ways to entertain Jackson (the total outdoors boy) when it's so cold. He watches way too many "mee-s" (movies) and we visit the library twice a week for storytime. But all in all, another good vacation has come and gone.
The next night was Sam's missionary dinner. This is one of my favorites traditions the Andersen's have. Though the testimony meetings always go a little long... It is so neat to see how many missionaries their family has. Sam sure seemed older and ready to serve in Texas.
Christmas Eve was the Anderson party. Shaela even brought the new baby, Jace. We had the usual nativity (James was a wise men and I was a shepherd AND we got to sing silent night. we're so good at duets.) Grandma and Grandpa Anderson and the sister missionaries came. My dad read some journal entries on meeting my mom and past Christmases they've had together. That was sure neat.
Christmas morning (can you believe I didn't take ANY pictures?) Jackson wasn't too in to opening presents. Once he opened one, he just wanted to sit and play and eat chocolate out of the stockings. I suprised James with some published blog books and an ESPN jeopardy game. He gave me some games and a present in MY language of love (aka. mesa thrift money!). We got to play some fun new Wii games (including SING-IT, in which I lost every round). We took naps and went over to Nate and Andrea's house for the evening.
All in all, we spent LOTS of time relaxing and enjoying having family around. Mansi and Brianna were the best babysitters and Jackson became obsessed with Bubba (Matt.) He still looks at pictures of him every day (even though they're tiny blurry ones on my phone, he still gets so excited). He calls his name out constantly and wants to see him on the computer (skype). The sad thing is, he kisses the screen! He LOVED the trampoline, grass, and playing with Libby and Tippy. Although Tippy bit the neighbor girl while we were there and had to be given away. My mom lightened and cut my hair and already, my appearance improved 100 points. James got to play lots of basketball and we enjoyed the Darl Andersen family reunion. (That was a little much for me, I'd never even met some of the cousins, and they don't schedule nap times!) We celebrated New Year's eve first by eating hot dogs with my famiyl and lighting off firecrackers. Then, James took a good 3 hour nap while I drove Matt, Mansi, and Brianna around the neighbor lighting off firecrackers and smoke bombs at random neighbor's houses, including grandma and grandpa Anderson's. (can you tell it was the first year fireworks were legal in Arizona?) Then James woke up and we spent the last few hours at the Merrill's playing cards and eating candy, then making a bunch of "rukus" out on orange street.
8 hours later, we started the drive back to Utah and thus, the cold. It is so hard for me to find ways to entertain Jackson (the total outdoors boy) when it's so cold. He watches way too many "mee-s" (movies) and we visit the library twice a week for storytime. But all in all, another good vacation has come and gone.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Catch-up
Wow, it's already been a long time but yet, there's still more to catch up on.
August:
This was a BUSY month for our little family. James started classes in the athletic training program, and boy oh boy is he a new MAN! He loves school! It's great to see him excited to read his textbooks, and go to class on time, and talk about everything he learns. He started a clinical assignment at Mountain View High school in Orem working with all their athletes. The high school boys seem to love him and make up nicknames for him. (It's probably because he gives such good massages!) I started another year of hall advisor and kicked off a big week of RA training. Despite being gone all day, James played MR. MOM and canned peaches and homemade salsa. Even though his mom wasn't around as much, Jackson started walking! It took only like 2 days of holding his hands high above his head, but he mastered it fast. Some people say it's hard when they start walking, but honestly, Jackson was so much happier! August also brings about BYU football season and Jackson actually made it to all the games this year. With books, toys, and LOTS of fruit snacks and juice boxes, he was a happy boy! He would even clap along with the fight song and stare at the ball. James couldn't be more proud.
September:
One of my highlights was taking Jackson up to the petting ZOO at thanksgiving point. He started being able to make LOTS of different animal sounds, and ran around the place pointing and grunting at the animals. SO many people stopped to comment and after 2 hours, I decided I'd had enough. James played on an intramural football team (of course). They played hard every week and practiced for hours. They didn't make it as champion, but James was definitely the star quarterback. I blame their losing on the fact the made James NOT play quarterback for awhile.
October:
NOVEMBER:
My parents made nice trip up to visit. We enjoyed a football game and of course, the homecoming week festivities. My dad is always so good at supporting BYU and doing all the "different" activities. Yet, those are always my favorite parts of his visit! We ended the weekend off with a good visit to the OC-TUBA fest where some world famous tuba players sang into their tubas. (literal singing). It was great! October is also my birthday month and James surprised me with a gym membership to 24 hour fitness. I couldn't have asked for a better present. Jackson gets to go play int he kids' club and I've definitely become more fascinating with Zumba, cycling, and body-pump classes. Jackson loves the little playgrounds, and the worker girls are nice BYU girls that he loves. Thanks James, for giving us something to do each day!
James and I also went to our first haunted house to celebrate halloween. It was raining pretty bad on halloween, so we took a raincheck for another night. However, it was SO freaky, the people actually touched you and I kind of just froze. James had to pull me through the whole entire thing, saying "Shawnne, you have to walk.... shawnne, MOVE, etc.". When it was over, I even started crying! Now, I realize why we will never do something like that again.
James and I also went to our first haunted house to celebrate halloween. It was raining pretty bad on halloween, so we took a raincheck for another night. However, it was SO freaky, the people actually touched you and I kind of just froze. James had to pull me through the whole entire thing, saying "Shawnne, you have to walk.... shawnne, MOVE, etc.". When it was over, I even started crying! Now, I realize why we will never do something like that again.
NOVEMBER:
Living with the freshmen...is well...crazy sometimes. We had some lovely young men decide to vandalize a car int he parking lot (and well, it was our van...). They picked it up, moved it, cracked the window, and pooped on it! The police officer sure was mad and it took weeks to get it all figured out. Drama came when one of the boys' uncles got involved (tried to persuade my decision, guess that's called witness tampering...). Anyways, right around that same time, I had a girl try and stab herself on the balcony during the ward party, 2 girls that had anxiety attacks (rolling on ground screaming), a boy with a pretty severe eating disorder, and another attempted suicide (drug overdose). It pretty much wore me out trying to deal with it and Thanksgiving was a much needed break. My mom watched Jackson and we left with Brad and Julie over to Disneyland. Despite getting the stomach flu, I had so much fun! Normally I love Indiana Jones, but seeing as my stomach hurt, my favorite was the Buzz Lightyear shooting game. Brad spent lots of hours making a Disneyland trivia book which provided lots of entertainment in the car. We visited Huntington beach and of course, brad was the only who got in. We also ran the turkey trot...together. WOW! James wasn't feeling good and so, he didn't even try and pass me, just ran with me. It was great! Ok, so we jogged. But, still beat the sister missionaries my dad invited! The Bob and Marlene Anderson's got together and for the first time, James met some of my dad's sisters. We then went over to Nate and Andrea's new house in Gilbert for a few hours.
December:
Well, that brings us to now...the crazy time of year with freshmen checking out and James taking finals. So far, it's looking like it will be his best semester grade-wise...which is definitely exciting! We spent the past weekend going up to Salt lake city. We went to the BYU basketball game at energy solutions arena. Jackson was mesmerized by all the lights, sounds, and people. Halfway through the game, when he finally snapped out of his staring, he started yelling "basketball hoop" at the top of his lungs. James and I got a good laugh realizing he must think that's what everyone is yelling. We went to the temple square lights, and went up to visit my mom who was in town. Sunday was Grandma and Grandpa Matthew's homecoming talk form their Ogden mission. I spent most of the time outside with Jackson but it was fun to see all the family. We had a big luncheon afterward and I met a lot of their investigators. I'm always continually amazed at what good missionaries my grandparents are. My mom took Jackson home on the plane with her. They are so good to help us through our busy times. I know Jackson's having LOTS more fun than he would here, and even though I hate going without him, it's been very helpful to get caught up on lots of things. Sometimes I really wonder how long I can keep up a more than 40 hour work week and stay on top of the house stuff and be a good mom. Luckily, peak weeks like this (where I work 80 hours) only happen about 3 times a year. But, we'll leave for Arizona this coming Tuesday. We're already counting the days....
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