80's Movies!

For some reason, today at work I was thinking about this 80's movie, and almost laughing to myself just thinking about it. Have any of you ever seen "Better off Dead"? Oh my heck, if you ever want to die laughing, just watch this movie. It's like the ULTIMATE 80's movie. and, I know I've already said this, but it's HILARIOUS! I've been thinking about it so much lately that I think I wanna get on the internet and order it, just so we'll have it....cuz it's SUCH a classic!

So my next question, what's YOUR favorite 80's movie?

Parker's:

"Footloose"

And I have one other I just wanna mention, cuz it's one of my favorites as well...

"Girls Just Wanna Have Fun"

Okay, everybody PLEASE leave a comment and let me know your favorite 80's movie. I'm really curious to hear this one.

Shave your head.........

Can I just say that my husband is an amazing older brother?

When Garrett was diagnosed with cancer, Parker told him that he would shave his head when Garrett had to go through chemotherapy. Well, the day has come, and Garrett was shaving all his hair off........so Parker did too. I'll just post a few of the pictures. But there's videos and stuff on Garrett's blog. So visit that one too. But I'm not gonna post everything twice.

http://www.gbabybattleback.blogspot.com/

My new hobby...

I started doing this to keep myself busy during general conference. I made some invitations for the combined baby shower I'm throwing for my sisters next week.

I'm not gonna lie, they started out pretty rough, but I've found a system. And after Garrett's diagnosis, we were FLOODED with get well cards, and so many kind acts of service. I decided to make some more so we can start to send thank-you cards to all the people who've been there for our family.

These pictures are just a few of my favorites. And the last picture is all the cards that have been made so far. I like it, cuz it keeps my hands busy. And in some small way, it makes me feel like I'm helping out. There's only so much cleaning that can be done. And as the sister-in-law, it's not like I can send Garrett a card myself. So I just try to keep myself busy with this.

And more news on potty training! Caleb didn't wear a diaper yesterday and so far not today, except for during nap time. He's gone in the potty every time he's had to go! We are so excited about this! A couple more weeks of this, and I can quit buying diapers!...actually we got a huge box from Costco that we just barely opened, so maybe we won't have to buy anymore period! He sometimes has little accidents in his underwear....just a couple drips....then he says he has to go potty and we go.

One concern....yesterday he didn't go #2. And today, so far not either. I keep telling myself it's gotta come out sometime, and he'll either tell me he has to go or we'll have an accident. So I can't say potty training is going extremely well yet....cuz we've still not done all that can be done in that department. But I guess it's just a waiting game. Or he'll go just before or after his nap (when he's wearing a diaper). But he never sleeps if he's gotta poopy diaper....so we'll just have to see what happens I guess....cuz he's sleeping now. I think in a couple weeks, he may even be able to leave the house wearing underwear, but lets not get our hopes too high. If that's all it was....then that was WAY too easy. But there's still night-time training. I've heard that in and of itself takes about a year. But hey, we're making progress and that is SO exciting!

What a cheese-ball!

Last night I went to give Caleb his dinner. The neighbors brought us homemade soup, homemade bread, and a caesar salad. Caleb saw that soup and got so excited, he climbed into his high chair. I started feeding it to him, and he pulled the spoon outa my hand and put it into his own mouth. Then he wouldn't give it back. Well, I didn't object. If he wants to feed himself that's fine by me. That meant I could sit down and eat myself.

Well, I'd say 90% of the soup spilled before it made it to his mouth. But he ate almost the whole bowl on his own (10% at a time). That really wasn't a milestone...I mean he is almost 3. However, the funny part was the faces he was making between bites. So here's the video of Caleb being a cheese-ball.

Mr. Independent

Caleb has decided that he is independent. And it was cute at first, but I literally can't help him with ANYTHING. He has to crawl into his crib by himself. If I try to lift him in, he FREAKS OUT! And he has to climb into his high-chair by himself. If I try to help him he says, "No, I do it!" And his car seat. He's gotta climb into that by himself too. He insists on feeding himself most of the time, which is probably what he should be doing anyway. But he'll grab the spoon outa my hand and put it into his own mouth. He always has to put on his own shoes, and sometimes even his pants. It's cute most of the time, except when I'm in a hurry and I don't really have time to sit there and let him try to do it on his own. Now that I think about it, he even insists on climbing onto the toilet seat by himself (which always makes me cringe.....he has to put his hands on that thing to climb onto it...eek! That's why we wash right?)

One other update real quick, I finally finished my first week at my new job. I'm not gonna lie, it was one of the hardest weeks I've experienced in a long time. The hours are tough on my body, and I still haven't adjusted completely. This dental office is different, and I find that more and more I'm missing my old job. But, I try not to dwell on the negative because it's a job. And after 8 months of searching I am definately grateful to have it. I just am always comparing to my last job. It truly gave me a taste of what my dream job is like. And I hope some day I find a place just like that (or better yet, maybe someday I'll be able to go back) to stay forever. Work today was HARD. It was stressful, and at the end of the day, on top of all the stress I felt, my back was in some pretty serious pain. I've gotta learn to relax I guess. I won't go into the details of WHY work sucked so bad today, cuz it's a LONG story and honestly if you weren't a hygienist I don't think you'd understand anyway. I just have to hope that it'll all get better with time. I can't wait to actually move, so that I don't have a 40 minute commute. AND so I can go HOME for lunch. I never know where to go during that 1 hour break (except today, it was only 30 minutes...another reason for...well you know). I am SOOOO grateful the weekend is here. I'm planning on staying home and finally START A NEW BOOK! I haven't read a book since Jayne Eyre (which by the way is a WONDERFUL book and I recommend it to all women!). I've started Louis Lamour's "The Walking Drum" My mom and dad say it is one of his best books, and it was also the last one he wrote before he died. Actually I think I heard that he died before he finished. Don''t ask me how that works....I'll just have to read it I guess.

sleep...............

Kickin' my butt!

Well, I started my new job yesterday. It's going just fine. I'm not sure I'll ever find a place as good as the last place I was. I already miss it a lot. But this place is a job, and that's what I need right now. I'll have to wait a while longer to find the proper fit.

Meanwhile though, the new schedule is killing me. My last job started at 8:30. This place starts at 8:00 and LETS NOT FORGET!...it's in Twin, which means I get to drive for 40 minutes before I get there.....which means I have to leave the house by 7:00. Well it takes an hour to get ready, so that means I'm up at six. No it's not rediculously early, but it's an hour earlier than I'm used to getting up....and so it's kicking my butt while I try to adjust. I've come home every day COMPLETELY exhausted. And here's where it becomes a problem. Garrett comes home from the hospital on Thursday. Which means I have 2 nights to get the house ready. And the place needs to be practically STERILE when he gets here, cuz he's on chemotherapy and we don't want him getting any sicker than he already is. But I'm just so tired! I can't bring myself to even fix dinner, much less deep-clean the house! So now I sit, using my last ounce of energy to type a little blog post while I eat a bowl of cereal (yes, that's dinner). I can't wait for the weekend.

No news means.....no news....until NOW!

Sorry the video is sideways. I don't know what I was thinking. There's no way to fix it.

Well up until now, you may have noticed (actully you were probably more likely toNOT notice) that there has been no news about Caleb's progress with potty training. That's because there WAS no progress. Until about a week ago. One morning, I took off Caleb's diaper right after getting him out of bed, only I forgot to grab a clean diaper. So I left him in the bedroom with his diaper off and went to the next room. When I came back Caleb had closed the door (he always shuts the door behind you...it's his thing) and when I walked in he said, "wook at the fwoor!" (incase you haven't learned to interpret toddler languate, that meens "look at the floor) And there was dark spots. He peed on the floor. So I took him to the toilet, and told him he had to tell me when he had to go potty. I decided it was time to crack down.

The next day I had Parker go to walmart and get him some underwear. Parker got him boxer-briefs (I didn't even know they MADE those for little boys! How cute is THAT?!) And so we started. One afternoon, I gave him a big cup of juice and then put on his new underpants. We waited for about 30 minutes, and then I took him to the bathroom. I gave him an otter pop popsicle while he sat there (which by the way I have to bite and break each bite for him because he has no front teeth). Then after the popsicle was done, I decided instead of calling it quits with no progress....maybe we should wait another minute. I thought I saw a few dripps hangin' there for a second. So I got a book. And then he started to go....

HORRAY CALEB! I know he's a little old to have his first experience going number one in the potty, but it's hard to potty train when you're not in your own home. But don't worry,, I'm not making excuses any more.

The next day he did it again! And then things got crazy around here. So no progress since last week, but we're still trying. Baby steps right? He's only two and a half....I mean.....HE'S ALREADY TWO AND A HALF! HOW COME HE ISN'T POTTY TRAINED YET?! Oh yeah...that's my fault. Didn't you know...potty training is really for the parents. They had it in 'em all along, it was YOU who lacked the guts to try!

Atta kid Garrett!

I want to dedicate this post to Parker's little brother, Garrett. On Monday he went to the doctor to check out a sore rib, only to find out it was cancer. He is currently in Salt Lake City with the best doctors in the area. He's doing well and has a really good chance of recovering. He'll be starting chemotherapy tomorrow. We wish you luck Garrett.

Nobody ever plans to hear that their child is gonna get cancer. It really was such a shock to our family. But now we've stepped past the mode of being scared and upset, and into a go-and-do mode. I think Garrett's already getting bored sitting in that hospital bed, but luckily he gets to come home next Tuesday or Wednesday. And he'll get to do most of his treatment here at home.

This seventeen year old boy brings light into our home. I have never met a young man that is so sweet and easy to love. He is the perfect little brother.

Parker has always felt a very strong sense of protection for his little brother. He told me the other day that one of his greatest fears has always been losing his little brother. Parker was his coach in little league, a mentor for Garrett, and a friend. These two brothers have a closeness that I have never seen before, even in my own family. Garrett is an amazing athlete. He is persistent, and always gives his best effort. We know, his battle against cancer will be no different.


Garrett, we love you so much, and pray for you every day. I know you're gonna make it through this. And we'll be there for you every step of the way.

Garrett

For those of you who want more information about Garrett's battle with cancer, his sisters have created a blog that contains all the latest updates and information.
www.gbabybattleback.blogspot.com
I will be creating a full detailed post about Garrett on this blog as well as soon as I can get the scanner to work.
We love you Garrett! We're all praying for you.

Something Permanent.

I know this happened almost a week ago, but I've been busy so sorry. But here's the news now.
Last Thursday I had a job interview with a dentist in Twin Falls. It went well, the office is a little different from the awesome place I'm working right now. It's a lot older, and smaller than where I'm at, but hygiene's hygiene. Well, on Sunday Dr. Thompson (the dentis from Twin) called my cell phone and offered me a permanent full-time job in his office! I took it, and then Monday I gave Dr. Johnson my 2 weeks notice. So finally after an 8 month search for a full time job (Oh I forgot to mention! WITH BENEFITS!) I have it! No it's not my dream job. I'm working my dream job right now....they just don't have enough work for me to stay. So I take what I've been offered, and after a year of living with my parents, I am proud to say....

WE'RE MOVING OUT!!!

Today Parker and I drove to Twin Falls and paid a deposit on a SPACIOUS 2 bedroom 1 bath apartment. It's a bit pricy....but all the other apartments in Twin Falls had an income cap which we exceed. So we really didn't have much of a choice. PLUS the place has a pool, a year round hot tub, putting green, children's play-place, AND (my personal favorite) a 24 hour fitness center.

Check out the apartment website: http://www.rivercrestapartmentcommunity.com/
Take a look at the apartment floorplans, we'll be living in "The Twin."

JUST THOUGHT YOU SHOULD ALL KNOW WE'RE SOOO EXCITED TO FINALLY BE ALL GROWN UP.

MAY 1st we're moving to Twin Falls. Come and see us, we'll be in an adorable place. Although goodness know that it'll take us FOREVER to gather all of our stuff back together. It's scattered everywhere along the road from here to Boise.

YAY for us! We're moving cuz I finally got a job!