Listen Up!

Tomorrow my nephew, Justin Trapp, the handsome boy on the left, will be leaving Carthage for Utah! He's headed to the MTC for his mission!!! We are so proud and happy for Justin! He's been called to the Las Vegas, NV mission, spanish speaking. He's excited!

Speaking of Vegas. I don't like that place.

Today was home school group. I love it. All the families in the group contribute something and it's turning out to be so awesome. Today was Music class and Computer class. Tristan is learning the recorder in music class and html in computer class! He's so excited! Susannah Coleman and I are going to tackle the Art class together. We will have two groups; the younger group is 7 and under and the older group is 8 and above. Our first class is next week.
Then I went to the store where I forgot everything that I went for and came home with all the wrong stuff. I hate that.
Oh and I took Cullen to his 4 month check up the other day and he weighs 14 lbs. 7 oz. I think. And 24 and 1/2 inches long.

Jeremy and I are trying to plan a vacation. What's funny is that there are lots of offers out there where you can stay for free if you listen to a timeshare sales pitch. I can't believe that there are people out there stupid enough to own a time share (sorry if you're one of the stupids). What a freakin joke!! and waste of money! Jeremy and I were suckered in once when we first got married and were living in Utah. We got out of it though, thank goodness! Seriously, who wants a timeshare for the same exact time, same exact place, every. single. year. BORING. Also, if you end up not being able to go that year, you have to find someone to take your spot and pay you for it, or you end up with a vacation bill without the vacation. Dumb. Hate timeshares. I would hate to be a timeshare salesperson. I would laugh myself all the way through the presentation.
Here was a selling point of the timeshare we bought into. "ANd you can get free soupons for any food or household product you want, sent straight to your home!" WHAT????? Are you kidding me? whatever.

Blah, blah, blah. My baby needs the boob, will go now.

Look at Our Little Thumb Sucker

The Pinewood Derby

Tristan the cub scout.

Spencer Adams with his award

Shonnie and Joseph!!!!

Tracey and Preston!!!

Rocky Cluff was the Pinewood Derby Grand Champion!

This is my great friend, Laura! She's is the Cub Master. She is the one that had a baby in the same hospital the day before me...there he is...Joshua!

Tristan won the speed, shine, and spectacular all "rolo"ed into one! award.

The Bears maybe

The Webelos

The Wolves

Christi and Reba!

Tristan preparing to race!

The Doctor is In

This afternoon I went to the doctor to go over all the results of my labwork and MRI and such. Turns out I have a crazy overactive thyroid. He's referring me to a specialist in Springfield or Peoria. I will find out more then. That could be the reason I am so tired and lazy almost all the time. Also why I am agitated with almost every person I encounter. So, many things....he said I would have to talk to the specialist about the thing in my head because my MRI turned out normal ( I definitely have a brain!) and sometimes overactive thyroid can cause trememors or something of that sort. Don't know, still alot of questions up in the air. He thought my blood pressure needed to be continued to be looked at as well. One other good thing is that he said he was jealous of my cholesterol level which was 142! So, there it is.

Jeremy reminded me of another great story about my dad and traveling. There was the time that we all got in the car to go only a short distance away and we all fell asleep in the car (not my dad of course). And when we woke up we were like 5 hours away from home on our way somewhere across the country...I'm thinking Utah. Can't remember, I need to ask my mom. Anyway, good stuff.

Jumping on the Bandwagon

Since there has been much discussion in my blogging community on the topic of potty training as of late, I thought I would also add my two cents. We have thought about potty training Asher because he is just getting too big for the diapers. Literally. The kid is massively huge. He's in a size 6 barely. Pampers just came out with a size 7 but goodness they are expensive and not really bigger than the 6's. So, anyway. We have put Asher on the toilet a bit in the last two weeks and he will pee or whatever but it is still not consistent. He will often run into the bathroom and stare at the toilet and what not. That's great. Gets him interested in it anyway. But, we are not going to force him to sit on the toilet anymore. I think Renee is right. When a child is truly ready to be potty trained it will take 2 or 3 days before there are no more accidents. Like I mean 2-3 from start to finish. It's that easy. Liam wouldn't have anything to do with the bathroom AT ALL. Then we went to Chicago for a weekend and left him with the Grandma's and he just started going for them. When we got home he went for us. That has been the case with all my children. When they are finally ready it's just a few days of accidents, then it's done. You can take them to the bathroom over and over again, clap and cheer, reward them all you want but, if they are not ready then it is all for nothing. It's just a waste and takes more time out of your day. Bottom line...if you're still buying diapers after two weeks of potty training, then lay off and let the kid be for a bit.
On a related topic. Why are people rushing their children to grow up so quickly? We only have a short time as a child, with the child like innocence, the imagination, when everything is new and magical. Lately, with some of the children I encounter or even see at the store or something, I look at them and think....what the crap are their parents doing???? So many parents are letting their children do things that I wouldn't even let a teenager do or see. It boggles my mind. Another good reason for homeschooling. At a public school you have no control over which children your child is associating with. That is scary. There are kids in Tristan's old class at school and Cedric's class that are into things that are totally not age appropriate. I just don't get why we can't let our kids be kids. It's the same thing with potty training, so many parents rush their children into it. I think they want their kids to be the best at something...or the first to do it maybe. I don't know, but I think it's dumb. There is my rant for the day.
Random
I hate it when:
*the phone rings
*unwanted advice (lol, I totally agree with your blog, Timpani)
*my garage door breaks (which has been many times in the past year.)

I will lick my lips for:
*an avocado sandwich
*a super salad
*anything chocolate right now anyway

I am really missing Utah right now for some strange reason. Really I'm missing anywhere. Growing up my parents traveled with us kids ALL the time! Like, everywhere! I loved it! Sometimes we would just take off spontaneously. I remember one time, it was really hot outside and we were all sitting around the house watching t.v. etc. When my dad turned to my mom and said "Do you wanna go to Cincinnati? We could take the kids to the waterpark." SWEET! Like, two hours later we were packed and on our way to Ohio! We did that kind of stuff all the time and in turn it made me see a lot of the country. We is super. Anyway, since being married to Jeremy (he hardly traveled at all) I have tried to take him as many places as possible. Burt, we still don't travel as much as I would like. I want my kids to grow up seeing all the many things I did. You learn so much just by going to different places and experiencing things. I have got to get out of here! I'm going stir crazy.

Oh, and one of my friends, Lindsay, recently had a baby girl after having three boys. She was early and just a tiny little doll and, oh so cute! I want one really bad. A girl that is. So today is my day to go shopping for babies. My niece just had a baby boy as well and I have to get something for her as well. I'm so excited ! I love babies!

By the way, the chicken pox are OVER! Thank goodness! Now I don't have to worry about them ever again. Today I go to the doctor to see what my results from all my testing says.

The Story of my Life

Let me tell ya...

Boy, I'm so darn excited to have a brand new president with such great values and high standards.

This was on Yahoo this morning:

WASHINGTON – Officials say President Barack Obama will sign an executive order Friday ending the ban on federal funds for international groups that promote or perform abortion.

The officials spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorize to pre-empt Obama's announcement.

The so-called "Mexico City policy" bans U.S. taxpayer money from going to international family planning groups that either offer abortions or provide information, counseling or referrals about abortion. It is also known as the "global gag rule," because it prohibits taxpayer funding for groups that even talk about abortion if there is an unplanned pregnancy.


So, now we can spread help spread abortion, the senseless killing of unborn babies through out the world. Apparently freeing a country from a lunatic tyrant and helping them rebuild isn't very high on his list of things to do but, we must help the poor people of the world when they want to kill their babies! Disgusting. I'll try not to rant too much for all those with politically sensitive ears, but remember it is my blog.

Me and My Phone

Yesterday I answered my phone every time it rang! I had it next to me like the whole day and I did it!! But, today I have put the phone somewhere...not quite sure where at this point. and that's okay. One day of wielding a tremendous amount of chatter on the phone is enough. I hate the phone...especially talking on it. I don't feel at all obligated to answer as most people do. "My phone is ringing? Well, I must jump right up answer answer it!" NO SIR. Not me. I don't jump at the sound of a bell.
But all in all yesterday wasn't so bad. Mind you this was only the cell phone, not the home phone which we only have for the kids I guess. Who knows.
Anyway, this week has been full of doctors appointments. I will share the results of said appointments when I get them. I had the MRI yesterday. It was much like an alien abduction would be, as I imagine it anyway. I also took an Ativan (anti-anxiety) before I went in and there was a little purple television set in the cornea of my eye as it was closed. There was a little purple newslady on the little purple television set too. She was probably reporting on my alien abduction. Don't know, couldn't hear her, only see her.
Nikki drove me there and back because you can't drive while on Ativan. Who knew this pill would last 12 hours. I did. Becasue I asked the pharmacist. But, man, it makes you very sleepy and a little kooky and slow.
The End

Check Out These Cute Kids

Cedric (aka Michelangelo)

Someone just try to tell me that I don't have the cutest boys on the planet. Go ahead try. I have photographic evidence to prove my case.

Tristan, Cedric, Liam, Asher
In the days before Cullen!

In the days before both Asher & Cullen

Asher and Cullen

Fourth of July Fireworks...ummm, I think they were snakes actually.

Asher and his cousin at the Mark Twain beach

!

What's Happening

Here's the rundown of what's happening in our lives as of late.


* Liam got the chicken pox from a friend almost two weeks ago. It's going around and everyone thought we should all get it and get it over with now. So Liam broke out, had a mild fever the first few days, but other than that didn't complain a whole lot. Most of his pox were located in a certain area of the body that most males would not enjoy. Liam wanted to take a picture of it. I said no. Poor Liam.

* Today Asher and Cedric both broke out with the pox. Two weeks is the incubation period. I think Cullen has them as well. Asher seems more affected at this point, high fever, moody, lethargy, etc. Cedric is scared of the pox. I thought that Cedric had had them already but, I guess my brain is starting to go. Probably because I have a bug in it.

* I went to the Dr. Joe Smith (our family doc), he's a member of third ward. I had to follow up with my blood pressure like the doc in Springfield told me to do and I needed some advice on this thing in my head. I told him not to laugh at me because I think I have a bug in my head. Like a real bug, not a listening device! I feel it moving all the time and it's getting more and more frequent and stronger and longer movements too! CREEPY! I know. Anyway, he has ordered an MRI for this Wednesday to check out my little noggin. he gave me a prescription of Ativan too for the anxiety of going into that little tube. For my blood pressure I am to go there three times a week to monitor it to see if we need to do anything. I don't think we will. I also get a whole mess of lab tests bright and early Monday morning to check basically everything. Sounds fun, eh?




* Cullen is growing like a weed. He's so darn cute. Maybe I will try to get some video up of him and his cute tongue! He sticks it out all the time!

* Tristan and I are taking the train to Chicago in February to go to the Field Museum. It has a ton of fun stuff including "Sue" the world's most complete T-Rex skeleton. He's excited. So am I.

A Plethora of Pictures from the Holidays

Some of the Trapp's at our Christmas. It was pretty cool this year. We rented out the Hyrum Smith Homestead (which really isn't the Hyrum Smith Homestead but, we'll let the people who own it think what they may) and had all kinds of fun, food, and family bonding. We had Mark's family, Matt's family, my family, Sue's family, Mike's family, Vicki's family, Randy, and Sam's family minus Sam (well, two of them anyway!)
Below you will see Janeese, Maxine, Vicki, and Sue. Abunch of us stayed up till about two playing games....mainly apples to apples. Mark was great to play with. the lawyer really shined in his debating skills. It was so much fun!
Here is Asher screaming NO! at his one of his presents at Kelley christmas. He was weird this year. Every present he opened he said No and tossed it.
Cedric, Liam, and Cullen. I think Liam and Cullen have a special bond from the pre-existence. Liam is seriously attached to Cullen. It's really cute though.
Liam and Cedric playing with Asher's Mr. Potato Heads. Asher came in a crashed their party soon after.
Tristan trying out the ski jumping on the wii fit.
Todd, Zach, and Kendall at Trapp Christmas.
Uncle Mark helping the boys out with the gifts he got for them! They loved it!
Liam patiently waiting hie turn at Trapp Christmas
The boys trying out their new Wii and Xbox 360 games.
Cullen got tired I guess.
Liam wanted to build one of his four new geo trax sets next to his best friend.
Asher got bath crayons in his stocking and immedietly asked to take a bath. I obliged since he wasn't too into opening his presents anyway. Liam took over for him in that department! Oh well.
Look at his masterpiece!
Cedric's huge Millenium Falcon! Okay, when I bought this it said on the box that is was 2 and 1/2 feet and all that but seriously, this thing is massive!!! It's pretty cool too though, it fits a bunch of guys and has all kinds of perks and mini ships and what have you....sweet.
Asher saying No again.
CEdric was tired of sharing Tristna's PSP so he was thrilled when he opened his very own! And it's blue, just what he asked for...can you believe it?
Tristan stared at this box for a minute saying" what is it?" We laughed. And said read it! Then he was like "Sweet! Xbox 360!!!whoa!...and so on and so forth! You get the idea.
Liam got a leapster 2. He loves it!! He was really cute this year with his presents. I had to take a picture of every single one, clothes and all! He really enjoyed Christmas!

At Last.

This our lovely little gingerbread house we made together. Asher was a madman with the candy!!! He liked to give em all a little lick before putting them on the house! I guess he was making sure no one got poisoned.
All the boys had a pretty good time although Tristan kinda disappeared toward the end.

Grandma Lucille at the Kelley Christmas.
And we ate!!! Can you believe it!!