PRIORITIES, DAY 0, Yesterday

6 hours after getting our precious boy back from a week at scout camp....GROUNDED. What the heck!



Anyway, Zack and I were leaving, mom was sleeping, people were coming in about two hours. He had a few jobs to do before company came. I was taking Zack so he wouldn't be in the way.



Instructions (please note: these were not written down - parent mistake - we'll try it next time).



1. Anything from scout camp that might have a bug or insect in it, get it to the garage. (<10min)

2. Clean the downstairs toilet, wipe the counter and sink. (20min)

3. Load the few dishes in the sink, tidy up the kitchen, touch up the floor (meaning dad mostly kept up on the kitchen while he was away).(20min)

4. Switch the laundry and go through the camp stuff and start a load of dirty clothes.(15min)

5. Finish spraying off the deck so it's ready for the party (dad already cleaned most of the deck, but had to leave before he could finish).(20min)

6. If he hurries, he will have time to hook up the new DVD player (both died within a weeks time and we got one so the kids could watch movies this week, while Jen is trying to rest up for the birth/Oh, and Brenden loves anything to do with hooking up electronic equipment to the TV...therefore, a reward.)



So if he hurried it might have taken an hour and a half to complete the required tasks. I thought the worst case scenario would be that he would be finishing the deck when guests arrived.



The guest arrived late, meaning he would have had plenty of time to get everything done, if he would have just done it. Mom woke up from her nap an hour after I left. He had cleaned off the kitchen table (he claims it was terribly dirty - but I can't remember seeing anything but a couple dishes). Mom made him go clean the bathroom, but of course she wasn't aware of the 'job list' that I had given him.



I returned about 2 1/2 - 3 hours later. I noticed all the scout stuff in the garage (#1 done), mom said the bathroom was done (#2 done), I didn't see anything done in the kitchen, but the table was clean, and maybe the floor got swept (#3 fail), no change in the laundry room (#4 fail), the deck was the same as when I left (#5 fail). What was done, was the new DVD player hooked up to the TV upstairs.



Although it wasn't confessed to me, this is what the parent reenactment suggests:



Brenden puts everything from scout camp in the garage. He comes back in and sees the DVD player on the counter in the kitchen. He this decides that he can totally get that hooked up and still have enough time to finish everything on the list. It takes longer than thought to get the DVD player hooked up. It is now time to wake up mom. Brenden runs downstairs and cleans the table off and sweeps the floor. Mom comes downstairs and finds the bathroom in the same condition. Brenden cleans the bathroom to mom's specifications. He then wants to talk to mom about scout camp and all the experiences had. Remember, Jen doesn't know about the 'job list'. People come over. Brenden joins the party. Dad comes home. Parents talk. Brenden is grounded.



I am convinced that he should be grounded, so we will see how long it takes him to get ungrounded. I think he could be good to go in a couple hours, but he will start heavy-ing and ho-ing as soon as I start giving him tasks. Tasks will be compounded and he will stay grounded until his attitude changes or I run out of tasks. Hopefully I can continue to document this parent vs. tween struggle in order for a successful analysis of either 'the dutiful parent trying to raise an unlazy kid' or 'the mean parent who loves to have a slave'.

Stay tuned.



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GROUNDED BRENDEN

I want to start keeping track of Brenden's groundings. I have been accused of being a tough parent (which actually makes me proud), but at the same time I want to make sure I am fair. So I am going to try and keep track, but as we can tell from the blog so far, not really good and keeping up on the info!

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It's a boy!!

Here are some pictures! I am having a boy. We were really expecting to have a girl because of how Jen's body was reacting to the pregnancy. It would have been fun to add a girl to the mix, but really, a baby is such a blessing and miracle.

Not wanting to speak this out loud and to put this out in the universe, but Jen is doing a lot better. The IV pole has been unused for weeks, no visits to the hospital, ER or even the doctor's office. She has even started reducing the dosage for the zofran pump. We are hoping she will be able to remove that all together. The baby is moving a lot and is making it all more of a reality.

We will be able to clean out all the baby stuff and get rid of stuff we don't need and get everything else prepared. We are excited about getting the crib together, getting the baby seat out and cleaned and then going through the clothes. It will be nice to start getting ready for the baby to come. We are half way through and feel blessed to be looking back at the difficult past.

We have been so blessed by the thoughts and prayers from all of you. We have been supported and sometimes propped up to get through the day. It made it easier, knowing of all the love from our family and friends. And boy do we have a lot. Things like this happen to help us remember how many people have been sent from God to help us through this life, which can be difficult at times.

We were able to go to the ultrasound today with the boys. It was fun to have them there, really not knowing what to expect and see them experience this with us. They were excited to see everything and know what the baby was with us. What a great thing to do together!! Although Zack was scared of the monster on the screen...we were able to see a healthy baby boy!!

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PRAYERS II

It’s been awhile since the first request, but I was hoping that there would be improvement and it would be like….thanks so much for the prayers… Unfortunately, not the case for our story!!

Since the last email we have been in the ER and admitted, home health came to put in an IV and get the zofran (anti nausea) pump going. That went pretty well for the week I was gone on business to Florida, but then when I got back we started down the normal road of heaving and unable to eat and sleep.

We got her back on an IV today, and had the doctor reevaluate the medications today. We are hoping that we can get her rehydrated and that the new medications will kick in. Baby sounded fine with 135 beats. Baby great…mom, not so much.

Needless to say, we are still working on being excited about the whole thing. We are at 17 weeks tomorrow and feel confident the baby is fine. We are just praying that she will be able to get back to ‘normal’ soon than later. We appreciate your prayers in her behalf.

I am hoping that there will be some ‘good’ news before too long, but will give you a heads up on the 18th, since that’s when the ultrasound is….

PRAYERS

Was hoping for some additional prayers coming this way. All I can say, is be careful what you wish for and pray for….because maybe the Lord’s time is way different than yours, and I mean WAY different.

Well….after 10 years of wishing for a baby, apparently now is the time!! Yep, we are expecting!! A little bit of miracle has visited us and we are now expecting an addition to our family in August. That’s right, you aren’t reading this wrong, we are pregnant. Not someone we know and wants to give us a baby, it’s us. I know, it’s not suppose to be possible. Well, like I said, be careful what you ask for, just you just might get it, only 10 years later.

This has been pretty bad for Jen. First we were just in shock for a couple weeks. Then, the sickness began (hyperemesis gravidarum). She has been having a hard time keeping her hydrated. So after a couple visits to doctor’s office, emergency room and an in-home visit for an IV, we thought it be better that we just tell everyone, instead of everyone wondering what the heck Jen has. I mean regularly people would be like, oh is she pregnant? But that is the last thing on everyone’s mind. We also wanted to be a little more excited about the whole thing. So hopefully the next time we send out an update, we will be more excited.

So a big SO SORRY to all Jen’s clients for her inability to make appointments and keep cancelling them, but we hope that she will be having some better days so that you have some better hair days!!

To all those that have ever gotten any clothes or other baby stuff, it’s payback time!! We were going to wait until we knew what it was, but we might as well ask if you start saving some of your cute stuff for us! Normally I wouldn’t ask, but well, we are going to need help…so, start saving for us, and don’t worry, as soon as we are done with it you can totally have it back, because this will be it for us….for sure!! So call me an Indian-giver, or whatever is politically correct now-a-days, but pride is out the window on this one!!

Thanks for the prayers and the well wishes. Just as a side note, try to avoid terms like, ‘see, all you had to do was relax’ or ‘that kind of thing always happens after you adopt’. ‘Good luck’, ‘congrats’ are fine at this point, but like I said we are just trying to get to the excited phase, and are just hoping that it will come sooner than later…(hoping that it’s not when the peanut gets here)!!

Love ya all!!! Thanks for all the support! OH, and those of you wondering if it’s ok to tell people…it’s OK!!!

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BLACK FRIDAY AT THE BEACH!

The boys and I thought that we would give Mom and Grandee a nice day of rest after Black Friday by going for a ride. Jen and Grandee decided that they would leave the house on Thankgiving at 10pm to start Black Friday right. They were finally done at about 7am. Talk about crazy!! I was up pretty late myself, just making sure they were alive, so when the kids (mainly Zack) was up early making noise and not wanting to 'just watch a movie', I wasn't able to rest anyway...worrying about the shoppers' ability to sleep, I decided that it was about time for us to leave. The main goal was to go see a movie, but the only one Zack wanted to watch was AstroBoy, which was only in the theatres that were showing older movies. Well, since the GPS can tell us where the movie was showing I thought we would just drive towards Santa Monica and see what happened. We made it to the beach in record time with few theaters along the I-10 that were showing different movies. I thought we would swing by the beach and let the kids put their feet in the water/sand and get back out for the search of a theatre. The day was so beautiful and warm that we spent a couple hours at the beach! I wish I would have brought extra clothes, because both boys were interested in playing in the water. We had a wet bottom and some pant cuffs, but that was easy to dry in a little while. Zack had fun chasing the pigeons. It was a great time!! and what a beautiful day!!!

After that, we drove down the freeway a bit to Tito's Taco Shop, which is one of Uncle Michael's favorite spots for food in the area. The boys enjoyed their tacos and burritos. It was yummy!! We were a little surprised when Mom called to check in on us. It was only a little before 2pm. We started driving back east towards Grandee's still looking for a movie. By the time we got close, the only theatre that was reasonable was in Riverside, but the GPS said we could make in time. Before passing Grandee's I thought I would text Jen and see what was going on. They were already awake and up and about, and it seemed like they wanted to see us sooner than later, so we stopped by RedBox and got some movies. Mom was a little bumbed that she didn't get to participate in the day's events, but sometimes you have to realize, 'you snooze, you lose'!!

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YOUR COMPANY NEEDS AN AUDITOR, RIGHT?

The firm I am working for is looking for new clients....(like everyone)...and they have given all the employees the duty to find referrals... I am all for that, especially cause that means I will still have a job... Anyway, we will go anywhere (I am not sure if that is totally true), but I know we have traveled all over the country to perform audits, so bring it!! Anyway, if you are in a position to hear if your company is looking to switch their team of independent auditors, then please throw my name over. Would be glad to get them in contact with the big dogs that wheel and deal :).

Thanks a bunch...let me know if you need to know any specifics....

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HAPPY NOVEMBER

I have no idea what I am doing being a blogger...I am just so silly at it. I don't know what to do or what to say...but I have to say something right?

What has been going on you ask? Well, it's been busy. We have been just doing the everyday stuff. The weather has been cold, hot, cold, hot...so I think I am just trying not to get sick over and over. It was really cold in the middle of October, but by the week of Halloween it turned really nice. We had a nice truck or treat at the church, but missed all the neighbor kids. Half of us dressed up, Jen put on the green make up again for her wicked witchness and Zack was Batman. He loves that costume. I was able to get out of the house this morning because I found that mask, put it on him and sent him upstairs to play the wii.

I am really looking forward to this weekend. Jen and I achieved 13 years of complete bliss this week and are heading to San Diego this weekend. He have been totally SD deprived for the past couple years and are really excited to head back for a couple days of fun and relaxation.....that's right...no Zack waking us at 6am wondering where is chocolate milk is or to get some help on the wii playing SuperMario 3. It shall be great.... The iteniary is still a surprise, so will give the details on my next post....

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END OF MY BIRITHDAY WEEK

It is now the end of the week that I refer to as my birthday week. We have just finished the cake and the party is over. I had a great week though. Starting last weekend I was able to get up to Nephi and visit my brother, Tom, and his family. The reason for the visit was a surprise from Tom about my new car. A silver 2001 Volvo S40. It has been a great car so far, a couple little issues, but my brother Ian will take it next week to get the kinks out. Looking forward to that!

Jen and I bothe took the my birth day off and ran down to Anahiem for a quick trip to Disneyland. I got in free, and so we thought we would go. We had a great time. We went on Indiana Jones, Pirates, Haunted Mansion, Splash Mountain, Thunder Moutain, had a quick bite (shared a roast beef sandwich and some fries), Materhorn, Space Mountain and Buzz. It was a great time. We finished the night with a trip to my favorite restaurant, joined by the in-laws. We then went over there and picked up the cake. We were too full to have more than a couple bites of ice cream, so the cake was sent home with us. I was able to drive most of the way home that time. I probably would have been able to make it all the way if I wasn't stopped by the best CHP ever. He doesn't give tickets on your birthday, so I just have a fix it ticket!! Awesome!!

The next day, back at work, my desk was covered by a metallic rainbow of decoration. It was a little much but the peeps at the office made me feel ever so special. I was taken out on Monday and Wednesday by two groups of co-workers. It is nice to be a co-worker again. Being the boss sucks.

I was able to get caught up with most of the work thank goodness, but I am still a little bit out of it when talking about school. Thats why it took so long to get back to the blog. Anyway, had a nice time yesterday going to the movies and then picking up my iPhone. We spent the rest of the night with a friend that was also celebrating birthday week!!

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THE CHEATER

Well, I feel like I am cheating on my blog with.....Facebook!!! I just started to FB and feel bad because it has been months since my last post. I feel horrible. I also need to get taking more pictures more often.

So it has been months....well all of summer actually. I can't believe how crazy it's been. It was supposed to slow down at work, but not. I was booked all summer with appointments right after another. It was good to be busy, but yikes. Not that it takes all that time to put up a blog. I mean really. As I review the calendar, there isn't anything that really stands out, just a lot of little things. A lot of hours, a lot of traveling, school, a ward swimming party, teaching, jen to girls' camp, harry potter, meetings with the attorneys, country line dancing, trip to idaho...you know what I mean...

Anyway...I am going to try and spend equal amount of time with FB and the blog...I promise....

thanks for listen...or whatever you call it...

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SANDY HALLOW

Thanks to Uncle Tom, we had the great opportunity to go ride the new razor, which he tells me is the coolest. I am not in on the new and exicting of the 'dune' world, but it was quite a load of fun. He was there a couple weeks ago and we met him for the evening. Thanks to Diven and Merry I had something to drive while Jen and Brenden were kicking up the dirt of the Hurricane desert. I probably should know what I was driving, but it was automatic, red, pretty bulky, fast enough and a great ride.

We probably should have went earlier so we could leave before the sun went down, because the 2WD on my car was not sufficient for me to feel confident enough to get to the paved road near by. I was unable to leave the same way I came in, drove through someone else's camp and had to hit it a couple times while driving through some lose sand. But I made it to the road without anyone needing to come pull me out of the sand.

Thanks again to the Beitzel's and the Douglas' (grand rock version) for a great two hours at the Dunes on a Thursday night. Well worth the drive, and willing to do it again. (Hope you felt the same, so we will get the next invite :)).

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EASTER FUN!!

We got to spend the day with Grandee...although she had to be at the hospital with Nana most of our visit. On Saturday night, we colored eggs and Zack had some fun putting stickers on. I was amazed at the level of color that are available for eggs now a days. It is amazing to see the bright eggs. Brenden was the main colorist of the eggs, and as you can see, Zack did the stickers. He had a great time and really didn't have a problem crackin' 'em open and having him some hard boiled egg. We were yelling at Brenden the other day when he was offering Zack just the yoke, but that boy just put 'em down. We were suprised that Zack didn't complain, but I guess it was because his mouth was filled with yoke :). But we went back for seconds...that kid can eat.

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SUMMER IS HERE!!

Come one, come all!! It is now time to swim in Vegas. Please make your way over and get your dippin' on! No one knows how long the pool might be available, so you better come quick! If you don't know why I say that, let me give you the 411. We are looking for an investor to buy our house (with the pool) so that we can rent it back and stay there. We currently have it on the market, but hoping it will wait for our angel of mercy. Now we are good to go whereever we need to be, but it sure would be nice to stay. Anyway, so spread the word. If we get someone to let us stay, you will have more time to enjoy the water :).

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Status of My Diet

I have no idea why I can't lose weight. I mean really I am very careful to drink my Diet Coke..

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PROUD papa!!

I know, I know...pride goeth before the fall, but I am pretty stoked about Brenden's recent accomplishments in school. He is doing really well and I just have to share. Recently he was selected to be part of a group of four kids in school to address the school district's board of trustees. If you don't know anything about Clark County (Las Vegas), it has one of the largest school districts. He attends a Magnet school, which is kind of like a charter school within the district. There are 18 schools now. He is on a bus for an hour a day to get there and he loves it. It specializes in math and science via technology. All the students were asked to write why they love the magnet program. Like I said, he was one of four (and one was the principal's son). So he memorized his thoughts and addressed the board. It was impressive and I got a bit teary eyed. I wanted to attached the mp3, but couldn't figure it out. I can email it if you want to hear the 30 seconds of the hour long meeting. :)

So yesterday we had to run to school to see him perform in the music ensamble he's in at school and see him get an award for being on the Principal's List. This is reserved for a couple students in the upper grades that are not on the A or A-B Honor Roll (Brenden has a hard time getting out of the 70-percentile in Spelling). The teachers select student that they think try really hard in their subjects that don't get Bs. And if you asked Brenden, he will tell you that because of the program he is in the grade scale is a little above what he would have gotten at a regular elementary. Well, since he is always just full of crap, I just happen to ask the teacher who did confirm that THIS time, he was correct.

Anyway, it is great to see your kids excel in the stuff they like and enjoy what they do. He is on the bus for so long and away from home and hardly complains. He would like to be able to play with his friends more, but he is happy to sacrifice. Good times...good times.

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SHAME SHAME!!

Well, it has been two weeks. This is my first missed week. :( I am quite bumbed, but also, I have been pretty good, right? As long as this doesn't start a trend. I am sure I will be strong and conquer my weaknesses.

So, what's up with the logo you say? Well, University of Phoenix, or UoPhx as I call them, is to blame for my shame. Last week I added another class to my schedule. So besides working from 5am to 10pm, and doing my own studying, I had a class to teach on Monday and Tuesday evenings. Now Tuesday only had 4 people in it, but my Monday night class has 27. Yes, I said 27. And they all showed up!! Usually I scare a couple people away, but not these folks...they are there for a purpose, and they came on week two as well.

Anyway with all that and grading 20ish papers, I was not about to get on my blog and share anything. I have a free minute where I feel like I am in control a bit, so here I am being the best blogger I can be.

I am really missing my kids right now. Luckily Jen is awake for a couple minutes when I get home so I can say hi and how are you at least, mostly everyday. But the boys are asleep when I leave and when I come home. So I have decided that I am really missing them on Tuesday. I think it is because I got to see them on the weekend and so I am needing them by Tuesday. So after this Tuesday class is over, I am heading home early enough to put them to bed. I think with that and the weekend, I should be able to cope.

Well, that what's up right now at this moment.

Thanks for reading...

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BYE BYE BEAMER

It appears that my 528e will be leaving shortly. Luckily my own personal Saint has helped me get into this sweet goodness. This is my 2000 Grand Prix GTP. You know I am going to keep it around, 'cuz it just got plates and insurance. It took a while, but its done. I am so grateful for my car. It looks pretty darn good and runs well. I am hoping now that I will have luck with the AC. My Saint got it going, but then the poor thing blew (not my Saint, the AC something or other). So I will be taking it in to see what we'll have to do.

Anyway, everything is pretty calm and quiet. Work is good. School is doing well. I just started teaching, another next Monday. Hoping the psychotherapist gives me a deal when my family needs help coping with my absenteeism. Love you guys.

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219.2<--looks like I am getting a thin mint cookie today!!!

NEW Arrival for ETERNITY

Well..I am trying to put a positive spin on new news that has been communicated this week. Someone in our family is going to have a new sibling. If you know anything about our life, you know that means that Zack's birth mom is expecting. At this point, it appears that it is a welcome event in the life of Vanessa, because she has not led us to believe that she is thinking about giving up this one. So my title 'New Arrival..' means that we feel that these babies can be ours, and we might have the chance to raise them during the Milenium. So, it looks like there is another one coming to our family, not now, but maybe in the eternities.

I don't know why it makes me tear up, but maybe it is just the tug at an old wound. You know how sometimes you have a reoccuring pain from an old injury. Well thinking of another little baby coming to a family that can't provide what we can, what we would love to provide, it hurts just a bit. The hard part is really that right now is not the best time financially to even want to be parents again. We have two beautiful boys that are a joy to have and raise. We are happy! It just hurts a tiny bit when those that don't really want them, have these cuties that will not have the benefits of an intact family.

So onward we go. This post is dedicated to my boo-boo, who is just the most precious little one, and we are so happy that he made it to our eternal family during life. Now if we can just remember this while his wonderful three-year oldness, terrorizes the house and makes an aweful mess!

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221.7 <--i have to get to the gym...stupid schedule...

Giddy UP!!

Monday was a holiday and a friend offered to have the boys come over and ride horses. I was worried that the rain would ruin their plans, but it held up just in time for them to go riding. I was surprised when I asked Jen about Zack, and she said that we wasn't worried a lick. He took some carrots with him and was happy to help the horsey have a little snack.

He got right up on the horse and went around a little and didn't want to get off. When it was Brenden's turn he had a hard time getting off. It was really fun to see the picture of the little men on a big horse. Fun for them on President's Day!

School is coming along. I am just about finishing my first class. It was about communications, which is fine, but I am really looking forward to taking the next 10 courses on accounting. It will be interesting to see what I know and what I don't know. I am sure it will be perfect timing--I will have an easy class when I need it, and when I have more time it will be the ones that are more difficult. My goal is not to just pass with an A, but to learn the material. I think it will be easier to do that when I know I have the CPA exams at the end.

'Til next time partner...giddy up.

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Favorite Picture of the DAY

What an awesome picture, no? We had some family pictures done for CHRISTmas and stuff and this is the favorite of Brenden. I think it looks totally cool. They made him look real good with the effects and stuff. But you can still tell it is Brenden by the eyes and lips. He is telling us how much he loved posing.

Started working on reading the BoM everyday (thanks Dad). I have taken it with me to work and stuff to try to make it part of my list of things to do on a daily basis. Got to the temple on Saturday morning too. Feeling pretty good about myself right now. We had a temple fireside a couple weeks ago and the stake president said that he would like us to go 20 times this year. With my current schedule I decided to just get up regular time on Saturdays like the rest of the week and go early in the morning. That way the Saturdays I don't work, I should be able to get home in time to get the kids some breakfast and enjoy the morning with them.

And there you go...I think I am doing pretty good so far with my weekly post!?! I am sure no expert blogger yet, but I think iz doin all rite...

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221.6