the little girls vanished one night. shannon is only 4, and ashley is only 3. but, they slipped out the front door unnoticed by anyone.
i had taken my crocheting out to the back yard, because the front room faces the east, and gets all that hot afternoon sun. the rooms turns into a sauna some days. the kids were watching a movie, or should have been. shaun came up from working, and couldn't find the little girls. we searched the entire house, and then decided it was time to start canvasing the neighborhood. i looked in the nearby places, and shaun headed straight for the park.
they had walked down to the park, and crossed the road on their own. ashley didn't even have shoes on!
today, shaun called me on his way home from work. he had found shannon down at the park, again. she had tried to ride a bike (with flat tires) down there to play. he packed her and the bike in the car and brought her home.
how i wish i could find a way to keep her home. she's so desperate to be able to go play with the older kids, that she doesn't stop and think. well, and we've become a little more protective since elizabeth.
Thursday, July 25, 2013
little things
there have been a lot of little things happen recently, and i'm going to try and capture them all.
yesterday morning, ashley pulled the marble rolling pin off the kitchen counter and dropped it onto shannon's toe.
the toe is fine, and so is shannon, but there was lots of drama for a while.
last night, the kids were playing a game out back. in the game, there was a "bad guy." ashley started screaming, and was very hard to console. we told the kids they were no longer allowed to play "bad guy" games.
when we got home from lunch at the park today, ashley started crying, again. she was convinced that there was a "bad guy" under the kitchen table. i held her for about an hour and a half, in which time, we both fell asleep.
yesterday, taylor went to play with a friend. at 6:30, when he hadn't made it home, i called. he'd left there 2 hours earlier. shaun went out looking, and i called another friends' house. he was there, and they had fed him. taylor got grounded. he's not supposed to go other places without informing us first.
the toilet seat in the upstairs bathroom just broke. i sat down to go to the bathroom, and the seat busted and shifted something fierce. it's hard to pee when your butt isn't staying still!
taylor's hair was starting to curl around his neck and ears. i finally sat him down yesterday, and buzzed him. now he has a funny tan line from his hair!
when my family was here the beginning of july for elizabeth's baptism, i had my mom cut micheal's hair. ok, she tried to cut it. he wouldn't sit still long enough for her to get it all done. she was able to get most of the top cut, but not the back. for about a week and a half, he went around with a mullet hair cut. i sat him down, and finished the job. he now looks like a little boy. but, all the cute curl is gone!!
yesterday morning, ashley pulled the marble rolling pin off the kitchen counter and dropped it onto shannon's toe.
the toe is fine, and so is shannon, but there was lots of drama for a while.
last night, the kids were playing a game out back. in the game, there was a "bad guy." ashley started screaming, and was very hard to console. we told the kids they were no longer allowed to play "bad guy" games.
when we got home from lunch at the park today, ashley started crying, again. she was convinced that there was a "bad guy" under the kitchen table. i held her for about an hour and a half, in which time, we both fell asleep.
yesterday, taylor went to play with a friend. at 6:30, when he hadn't made it home, i called. he'd left there 2 hours earlier. shaun went out looking, and i called another friends' house. he was there, and they had fed him. taylor got grounded. he's not supposed to go other places without informing us first.
the toilet seat in the upstairs bathroom just broke. i sat down to go to the bathroom, and the seat busted and shifted something fierce. it's hard to pee when your butt isn't staying still!
taylor's hair was starting to curl around his neck and ears. i finally sat him down yesterday, and buzzed him. now he has a funny tan line from his hair!
when my family was here the beginning of july for elizabeth's baptism, i had my mom cut micheal's hair. ok, she tried to cut it. he wouldn't sit still long enough for her to get it all done. she was able to get most of the top cut, but not the back. for about a week and a half, he went around with a mullet hair cut. i sat him down, and finished the job. he now looks like a little boy. but, all the cute curl is gone!!
words
michael is getting so big! he's constantly saying new words.
milk.
i want the doggie (talking about binks).
taylor
stop
water
mom
dad
no
milk.
i want the doggie (talking about binks).
taylor
stop
water
mom
dad
no
car woes and a solution...and more woes
monday, the day the car wouldn't start, shaun didn't make it to work. it took most of the day to diagnose and fix it. they discovered the the starter was bad. they replaced the starter, and took it for a drive to see how bad the cv joints were. while they were on that drive, the drivers side front tire exploded. the tread had separated, and flown off, taking the blinker with it as well. $30 later, we had a "new" tire to replace it.
the friday before, a good friend called us. he'd found a van for sale. $500! shaun was concerned as he didn't get paid until the following week. but, i'd been putting some money aside, and had $500! (well, sort of. i had $350, and some money we'd set aside for rent. we knew the landlord would be more than understanding, so we used it.)
wednesday, we went and purchased it from the owner, and got it licensed and ready to go for the family. i went to drive it home, and it wouldn't start. shaun was upset, and some our friends said we should inform the previous owners. but, they had been very straightforward in what they knew the car was lacking in, AND what was good with it (nearly new tires, needs wiper blades, rebuilt engine...etc). so, we were fairly certain they didn't know about whatever the problem was.
turns out, we were right. it's the fuel pump. they don't give any warning when they go, they just go, and then the car will not start.
as we couldn't get the van to start, we had to leave it where it was. in the parking lot of the DMV. we informed the people inside, and let them know we would come get it when we could. the following evening, some friends helped us tow it to the house, and there it sits, waiting for someone to have the time to help us replace the fuel pump.
nearly 2 weeks later, we are still waiting!
the friday before, a good friend called us. he'd found a van for sale. $500! shaun was concerned as he didn't get paid until the following week. but, i'd been putting some money aside, and had $500! (well, sort of. i had $350, and some money we'd set aside for rent. we knew the landlord would be more than understanding, so we used it.)
wednesday, we went and purchased it from the owner, and got it licensed and ready to go for the family. i went to drive it home, and it wouldn't start. shaun was upset, and some our friends said we should inform the previous owners. but, they had been very straightforward in what they knew the car was lacking in, AND what was good with it (nearly new tires, needs wiper blades, rebuilt engine...etc). so, we were fairly certain they didn't know about whatever the problem was.
turns out, we were right. it's the fuel pump. they don't give any warning when they go, they just go, and then the car will not start.
as we couldn't get the van to start, we had to leave it where it was. in the parking lot of the DMV. we informed the people inside, and let them know we would come get it when we could. the following evening, some friends helped us tow it to the house, and there it sits, waiting for someone to have the time to help us replace the fuel pump.
nearly 2 weeks later, we are still waiting!
Monday, July 15, 2013
car woes
it would seem that our car troubles will keep continuing.
the car, that we had troubles with earlier this year, is once again giving us grief. this time, it's the starter (we think).
aside from the fact that we don't all fit legally, it's not a bad car. just too small.
the car, that we had troubles with earlier this year, is once again giving us grief. this time, it's the starter (we think).
aside from the fact that we don't all fit legally, it's not a bad car. just too small.
Friday, July 12, 2013
strange connections
today was one of those days that could have only been designed by the Lord.
we went to the park to eat lunch, like normal. afterwards, we went to play at the playground for a bit. we weren't going to stay long. taylor had a birthday party he was going to, and i'd told the other kids that we'd visit the water park while taylor was at the party.
while the kids were playing at the park, i was crocheting this. a girl who was there with her russian bloodhounds, asked me about it. we got to talking. i learned that she grew up in this ward. she is an it works! distributor. we both suffer from clinical depression and anxiety. after about an hour of talking, we moved things to my house, the kids were cranky. we let the dogs go out back, and continued our conversation. i was so comfortable with her that i found myself telling her things i don't normally tell people when i first meet them.
in our talk, we discovered the strangest connection i've ever found with someone. i was telling her about how we came to find the house we are renting, and how the last 4 years have been difficult. i then gave her basics about elizabeth's abuse. she then told me about a guy that made lewd comments to her and a child she was walking home one sunday after church. she reported it, they had her meet with a sketch artist, and she was told to call (someone, we think a detective) if she saw him again. she never did. but she told me that even though it's been 13 years, she's never forgotten his face. since we were on the subject, she asked if i had a picture of elizabeth's abuser. i did, in fact, have a picture; it was just a matter of finding it (leading up to, and during the trial, it was highly publicized. to the point that his attorney asked for a change of venue.) i did some quick digging, and was able to find the article the prosecutor had made a copy of. she told me that if you put white hair on him, it was the same guy.
she also told me that she had been praying that they would catch him, and he would go to jail. when i let her know that he was in jail, and based on his sentence, he most likely wouldn't make it out alive, she was immensely relieved.
i tried calling the detective who had been in charge of our case, but he was unavailable. i left him a message though. i don't know what this will change, but knowing (even though we already did, just not formally) that we aren't alone, was a huge relief for me.
we went to the park to eat lunch, like normal. afterwards, we went to play at the playground for a bit. we weren't going to stay long. taylor had a birthday party he was going to, and i'd told the other kids that we'd visit the water park while taylor was at the party.
while the kids were playing at the park, i was crocheting this. a girl who was there with her russian bloodhounds, asked me about it. we got to talking. i learned that she grew up in this ward. she is an it works! distributor. we both suffer from clinical depression and anxiety. after about an hour of talking, we moved things to my house, the kids were cranky. we let the dogs go out back, and continued our conversation. i was so comfortable with her that i found myself telling her things i don't normally tell people when i first meet them.
in our talk, we discovered the strangest connection i've ever found with someone. i was telling her about how we came to find the house we are renting, and how the last 4 years have been difficult. i then gave her basics about elizabeth's abuse. she then told me about a guy that made lewd comments to her and a child she was walking home one sunday after church. she reported it, they had her meet with a sketch artist, and she was told to call (someone, we think a detective) if she saw him again. she never did. but she told me that even though it's been 13 years, she's never forgotten his face. since we were on the subject, she asked if i had a picture of elizabeth's abuser. i did, in fact, have a picture; it was just a matter of finding it (leading up to, and during the trial, it was highly publicized. to the point that his attorney asked for a change of venue.) i did some quick digging, and was able to find the article the prosecutor had made a copy of. she told me that if you put white hair on him, it was the same guy.
she also told me that she had been praying that they would catch him, and he would go to jail. when i let her know that he was in jail, and based on his sentence, he most likely wouldn't make it out alive, she was immensely relieved.
i tried calling the detective who had been in charge of our case, but he was unavailable. i left him a message though. i don't know what this will change, but knowing (even though we already did, just not formally) that we aren't alone, was a huge relief for me.
Tuesday, July 9, 2013
baptism
elizabeth's baptism was this last saturday, and it was interesting to say the least.
she was supposed to have her interview with the bishop the tuesday prior, but as my sister stephanie was here, i completely forgot (whoops!) so, we rescheduled for friday evening. when i get her there, she was too embarrassed(?) to talk to the bishop (i'm not sure what the problem was. it could have been her anxiety coming out, or something else.) he had to put his bag on the desk and "hide" behind it. so, the bishop handed me the list of questions she needed to answer, and i asked them to her. when we started, she wouldn't talk at all, then she would sign, and by the end she was talking and joking around. the bishop said it was the easiest interview he'd ever done (and probably the strangest!).
the primary presidencies like to do a little spotlight on the kids that are getting baptised that day. i had already talked with the president and let her know that chances of elizabeth joining her on the stand were not good. we could attempt it, but i didn't think she'd do it. the president didn't even ask her to go up. (have i mentioned how grateful i am for understanding leaders and friends?)
elizabeth was the only one from our ward getting baptised this month, and i thought that was probably a good thing. i was really concerned that with all the new unknown people that we would have problems. i was right. i had to sit up front with her the entire time prior to the baptisms. as she was the only on from our ward, i was hoping things would go a little smoother. then, the high councilman in charge combined our ward with the other one. it didn't go well. i had to push her across the front of the room, and into the font entrance. than she collapsed on the floor. my mom and i talked, and decided to see if we could get the other ward to do theirs first, and then we would try again.
we were able to get her into the font room, and then she balked again. my mom walked her down 2 steps before she willingly took matt's hand and walked the rest of the way down. after that, it was pretty normal.
as i said, interesting.
she was supposed to have her interview with the bishop the tuesday prior, but as my sister stephanie was here, i completely forgot (whoops!) so, we rescheduled for friday evening. when i get her there, she was too embarrassed(?) to talk to the bishop (i'm not sure what the problem was. it could have been her anxiety coming out, or something else.) he had to put his bag on the desk and "hide" behind it. so, the bishop handed me the list of questions she needed to answer, and i asked them to her. when we started, she wouldn't talk at all, then she would sign, and by the end she was talking and joking around. the bishop said it was the easiest interview he'd ever done (and probably the strangest!).
the primary presidencies like to do a little spotlight on the kids that are getting baptised that day. i had already talked with the president and let her know that chances of elizabeth joining her on the stand were not good. we could attempt it, but i didn't think she'd do it. the president didn't even ask her to go up. (have i mentioned how grateful i am for understanding leaders and friends?)
elizabeth was the only one from our ward getting baptised this month, and i thought that was probably a good thing. i was really concerned that with all the new unknown people that we would have problems. i was right. i had to sit up front with her the entire time prior to the baptisms. as she was the only on from our ward, i was hoping things would go a little smoother. then, the high councilman in charge combined our ward with the other one. it didn't go well. i had to push her across the front of the room, and into the font entrance. than she collapsed on the floor. my mom and i talked, and decided to see if we could get the other ward to do theirs first, and then we would try again.
we were able to get her into the font room, and then she balked again. my mom walked her down 2 steps before she willingly took matt's hand and walked the rest of the way down. after that, it was pretty normal.
as i said, interesting.
insanity
the last weekend in june, we had a family reunion that we wanted to make it to. unfortunately, our working car, doesn't legally fit us all, and we didn't trust it to make the 2+ hour trip to burley. we invited caleb and laura to go with us cause they have a suburban that we all fit into (that's 12 of us. it's a tight fit, but it works). they couldn't find people to cover for them at work, so we didn't plan on making it. my sister stephanie decided she wanted to take taylor and elizabeth with her, so she came up thursday, and they left just after lunch on friday. saturday around 3, we got a call from laura saying they had everything ready to go, and they wanted to leave in 20 minutes. it took us a little longer than that to get everything ready, but by 5:30-ish, we were on our way. it was fun, but as always, too short.
after the reunion, stephanie spent a few days with us. she'd gotten a bunch of books for the kids, and found some dresses for elizabeth to choose from for her baptism. we attempted to go to the zoo, but they wouldn't let her service dog it (big breach of ada law, and she's filing a complaint), we went to the pool. then she tells me that my kids are crazy. she had it easy, she kept them entertained.
wednesday, she went down to utah to pick up my parents, friday afternoon, everyone was back up here for elizabeth's baptism.
after the reunion, stephanie spent a few days with us. she'd gotten a bunch of books for the kids, and found some dresses for elizabeth to choose from for her baptism. we attempted to go to the zoo, but they wouldn't let her service dog it (big breach of ada law, and she's filing a complaint), we went to the pool. then she tells me that my kids are crazy. she had it easy, she kept them entertained.
wednesday, she went down to utah to pick up my parents, friday afternoon, everyone was back up here for elizabeth's baptism.
birthdays
i've been really bad lately about posting. it's not that life is more insane than normal, it's just....i'm not sure.
ashley turned 3 the end of may. she's such a fanny kid, with a HUGE personality. she got a little pink trike for her birthday, and shannon rides it all around the house.
shaun turned 34 the end of may. he got himself a bigger second monitor. it makes things easier in photoshop when you have 2.
elizabeth turned 8 the beginning of june and was baptised this last weekend. she got a new bike, and tons of little things. i can't even remember what anymore.
we didnt' do much for birthdays, they come so close, it's hard.
shaun turned 34 the end of may. he got himself a bigger second monitor. it makes things easier in photoshop when you have 2.
elizabeth turned 8 the beginning of june and was baptised this last weekend. she got a new bike, and tons of little things. i can't even remember what anymore.
we didnt' do much for birthdays, they come so close, it's hard.
good gracious!
taylor, age 9, commenting on a fourth of july parade float, "good gracious! holy cow!"
Wednesday, July 3, 2013
wake up, dad
i got michael changed this morning. he then walks over to my closed bedroom door and knocks. then he says, "wake up, dad!"
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