Christmas...

Well, it's here now - the week in-between Christmas and New Years. We had an amazing day yesterday. All the boys were ecstatic with their presents. My birthday is the 23rd so we started the holiday out by going to dinner at Iggy's Sports Bar. A Utah Jazz game was on the big screen and it was a very relaxing dinner. I was surprised how busy the restaurant was. It seems like everyone wanted to go out for my birthday ; ). I spent a lot of my time (waiting for our food to come) returning texts wishing me a Happy Birthday. I'm not much of a texter so it took awhile! When we got home the boys and Dan had a present and a couple of sweet cards waiting for me. They got me a pair of big fuzzy purple slippers and I love them. It was exactly what I wanted.

On Christmas Eve, we all went to my sister Kami's house for the annual party on my mom's side. There were probably 60 people there and the food spread was incredible. (I'm still full!) Santa always comes to this party and it's fun to watch all my nieces and nephews and 2nd cousins enjoy what I did when I was their age. Then we went and saw my grandparents on my dad's side. They are so cute! My grandparents on my mom's side have passed away a long time ago and I sure miss them at this time of year!

Since school has been out for the holidays, the boys and babies (pugs) have been having a "camp-out" in the playroom and doing movie marathons. It's so cute to see pillows, babies, blankets, and boys spread out up there. So, as soon as we got home from my grandparents on Christmas Eve they wanted to get to bed so Santa would come. They were very excited and the Christmas Spirit spread through the whole family. Isn't kids what Christmas is about?

Christmas morning was very cool. Dan and I woke the boys and babies up at 7 to come see what Santa had brought them. I got up a little earlier to make sure all the lights were on and the music was going (which is what my mom did when I was growing up). The boys were so excited! Caid got a new cell phone, an MP3 player, the new AC/DC CD, and a gift certificate to Amazon.com. Haden got an Ipod and a laptop computer. And, Gage got an Ipod and several new games for the Xbox and his PSP (Sorry, I can't name them all!). Haden kept thanking me over and over again and Caid told me this was his best Christmas ever. Our boys are amazing!

After we opened presents here we went to Melanie's (my sister) house for our traditional Christmas breakfast and to open presents on my mom's side of the family. We had another huge spread of food and received great presents. We got to spend time with my brothers and sisters and their kids and that is always rewarding. Melanie lives in Enterprise (up Weber Canyon about 3 miles outside of Morgan) and the weather was horrible! One of my sisters and both brothers had to be rescued from being stuck in the snow on the way there. We made it safely because Dan is such a good driver in the snow, thank heavens!

After Mel's we went to Dan's family for another big breakfast spread and more presents. Dan's mom cooks for the whole family and makes the best bacon! It's no wonder people put on so much weight during the holidays :). We spent some good time with Dan's parents, grandparents, and brothers but had to give the boys up during the afternoon to go with their other parent. The kids were excited though because they got to get another Christmas and more presents. It's cute though, they deserve it!

And now, it's the 26th, the day after and also my baby brother's birthday. Things have calmed down and all the gifts are unwrapped. Christmas decorations are still up but that's the way it will stay for another week. I always hate taking the tree down because I love waking up in the middle of the night to go get some water and walk out and see the lighted tree. It's so pretty and I wish I could leave it up all year.

I hope everyone had a rewarding and merry Christmas. I got everything I wanted, and that was spending time with my family.

E-neighbors...

Last night I was talking to my cute little neighbor and found out she had a blog on here as well. Then I linked to some of the blogs she was watching and found another neighbor. I learned more about them by reading their blogs than I have ever known. Dan hit the nail on the head when he gave them the name "E-neighbors". That's so sad that it's come to that!

Brothers and sister...

Hermes has gotten so big, I think he'll end up being bigger than Georgie. He is definitely Dan's dog. He follows him around and gets so excited when Dan gets home. Artie is all Caid's - has been from day 1. And Georgie just wants to be with me. He never left my side through the whole illness. Funny how animals can sense when something is wrong.

In this pic, Hermes is on the far left, Artie is in the middle in the green hoodie, and George is on the far right. The little cutie in pink is Hermes' sister and her name is Gina Carano. Our friends Dave and Tiffany got one of the puppies from the same litter as Hermes and sometimes we get to watch her. All our babies are named after fighters and Gina is as well. She totally runs the household when she comes to visit! She looks dainty and harmless but she controls the boys like you can't believe. She and Hermes are actually full brother and sister to George also. They have the same mom and dad but just from a different litter. Wow...I feel like one of those weirdos that go on and on about their pets...yikes!

Re-joining life...

I have to say, it's been a little tougher than I thought to get back to normal. I still have to take it pretty easy because my strength is far from being what it was. It does feel good though to be back in the real world. Work is a little overwhelming but I just take it one step at a time. The boys and Dan have still been doing so much for me and I truly appreciate it. The three little puggies, on the other hand, hate that I've gone back to work. Now they have to spend most of the day in their kennels and they aren't used to that! Poor little spoiled babies...

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

...well, inside at least.

We finally got the Christmas tree and decorations up. I've been chomping at the bit to get back to normal now that I'm feeling better. Once again, the whole family pulled together and got everything knocked out in one day. And, amazingly enough...I was able to help! Dan and the boys went grocery shopping and took care of the outside chores. Dan washed and vaccuumed the cars and garage and the boys did, what we refer to as, "potty patrol". It's a chore that they don't like doing but they never complain. Three fat little puggies can make a mess out of a back yard! The boys also helped me get the house scrubbed. Dan did the vaccuuming and the laundry...he's awesome at those jobs.

The boys brought all the Christmas stuff up and once Dan got the tree up they got to be in charge of decorating. I didn't feel strong enough to make the climbs up the ladder this year. They did an awesome job! I love our boys. They never complain and they are always asking if there is anything we need them to do. They are growing up so fast and we try to reward them as much as possible for all their accomplishments and good deeds. We are truly blessed.

After we got all the chores and Christmas decorations out of the way we were able to sit down and watch a movie together as a family. It was a great day.

Sidenote: I also got a call from my doctor and he told me other than my red blood cells and iron levels, everything else looks great. I can't tell you how long it's been since I've had a good report from the doctors. I almost cried because I was so relieved.

Things that make you chuckle...

Poor confused old man...

I got a VM today from a guy named Malcom. He said, "Hey Heidi, this is Malcom, I want to get an over the counter stool softer, and I have a 50 dollar gift certificate for you. Anyway, give me a call."

So, I'm dumbfounded and irritated because my phone number is private and unlisted. And...why would I be giving someone a stool softener?? I have to admit though...the 50 bucks sounded cool.

So, I IM TD and tell him about the VM. He offers to call back and find out what the crap is going on. But, I can't wait so I call Malcom back.

Poor confused old man...my phone number is one number off from Wangsgards Pharmacy and he was calling because he wanted them to deliver an OTC stool softener and he has a 50 dollar money order to put towards his account. I told him I thought someone sold him my number and he said, "No, I live in an assisted living facility and just need my medicine."

Then I asked him where he was taking me to dinner with the 50 bucks...we both got a good laugh.

Dan...on the other end...had already googled his number and address and had Steve on speed-dial ready to go kick some A$$. I'm glad I got to Lil' Ol' Malcom first...TD would have sent him into Cardiac Arrest on the spot!

Where do I even begin....?

The last few months have been some of the most life changing months I've experienced in my life. It started with me having a stroke in May. And since then, it's gone from kidney infection to liver disease. It got so bad that I had to be hospitalized in order to get my system back under control. I won't bore you with the details...heaven knows I'm sick of all the medical stuff. I will tell you one thing though. My husband and kids pulled together and took care of everything. House cleaning, car detailing, grocery shopping, laundry, taking care of me and our babies (the pugs), yard, and every other imaginable task. I don't know where I would be without them. They are amazing and without them we never would have made it through these trying times.

Things are on the upswing now and I am feeling much better. I'm looking forward to the holidays and being able to go back to work. Being sick and laying on the couch for a couple of weeks isn't bad but when it goes on for months it really starts to wear you down - physically and mentally. I will never take my health for granted anymore. And, I will be forever grateful for my family.