The new year is coming....

So with the year coming to an end I have done some thinking! I need to make some changes. So with that in mind I have a few things to do.

We need to be more on the ball with some church related things...prayers (all types), FHE, scripture reading, and making sure we are prepared for class (not the night before scramble). A few others I'm sure will pop up but that is a good start.

School...I need to be more on the ball with getting my work done. At this point a Bachelor's will not get me any more money but with the rumors flying that our hospital is being sold it could help me keep my job or find a better one if the rumors are true.

The kids, they need more help from both Lee and I. Not that they are in trouble or anything but I see some areas they need help. Kenny needs to potty train and Rachele just needs someone to talk to or even read to.

Lee...I need to help him stay on target for his new healthy life style. He needs to lose about 100lbs on the lighter side (more like 120-130). With him having the same surgery twice this year it has become more apparent that his weight is the cause. Not that I did not know it but he has realized it.

Family history...where to begin? With all the deaths this year we have alot of work to do. We have got a jump on that with half of a new recommend (we just need the stake side). Our temple is only 20 minutes away so we have no reason not to go at least once a month. Plus, if we are doing temple work I'm sure anyone of our church friends will be more than willing to watch my kids.

Household...we need to get rid of alot of stuff. Not junk just stuff that we really do not need or that needs to be replaced... old dressers, clothes that I do not wear, some of the toys the kids do not play with, stuff I do not use (but not my craft stuff).

I see so much potential for a great new year, I know I can pull it off and I will keep you all posted on how it's going.

The night before christmas...hospital style!!

Twas the night before Christmas and all through the hospital no a ventilator was alarming or even a BiPAP.

We were all sitting around when our phones all rang. We jumped at the sound that they made.

We answered the phones to see what was the matter when the ER said it was a Priority ONE!!

We jump to our feet and run down the stairs just in time to see the jolly man in his red suit with a 100% non rebreather. He was doing ok but was not sure what took his breath away.

We all scramble to make him all better. We get he back on his feet to bring joy and peace to the world.

As he leaves the hospital he yells Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!!!

Ok not to funny or even silly but for the spur of the moment not a bad little joke.

Merry Christmas everyone!!

Kenny's 3rd birthday!!

Ok so it is a few hours early but hey I'm not sure I will have time to update tomorrow. We had his party with the family on Saturday it was very nice. Kenny got lots of gifts. We saved some of the gifts that we got him for his actual birthday. I can't wait.

Christmas should be fun. We have all the gifts under the tree minus the Santa drop. I have to go back to work on Christmas eve so mommy is waking the kids as soon as I get home (at 0710 {am}) to open up all the gifts.

The surgeries went very well. Lee is going for a post op appointment tomorrow so we will see how well things are really going. Dad will not have any results until after the new year...but the doctor said it looked more like irritation. Prayers are being said but more are welcome.

This is my 160 post. Yea me!!!

Update!!

Well another birthday has come and gone. It was not to bad. I had a good time dispite being sick. It was fun to share and feel the love of my family. I even felt my mom in the room when I blew out the candles. I know some do not believe in that but I do and she was there.

We have almost all of our Christmas shopping done. Just nailing down a few for Kenny. He is at that age where somethings he is too young for but others he is too old for. So we did get a few items that daddy will play with more than Kenny but that will be ok.

My sister had a nice birthday dinner or so I was told because I had to work and could not go.

Next big plan is Kenny's birthday. One day it will mean something to him to share his birthday with Joseph Smith. Funny thing is we did not realize it until his 2nd birthday. I guess we got to wrapped up in Kenny to put that together. I have no idea what to do for him other than cake and ice cream with the family and gifts or really when to do it. Lee has his surgery on the 17th so the weekend before is going to be hard with out Lee being up to helping me and then after in Christmas so we can't do it then. i know it will all work out in the end.

Shanna, keep the faith. I look forward to seeing your posts and ramblings because I feel the same way. My sister checks my blog but does not comment but at least I know she is doing it because she makes a point to say hey what is this all about and so on. Things will get better. People we see their errors and hopefully learn from them, if not then they will find out when it is too late to repent. Miss you!! Hugs!!

The end!!

The end of another month is here...were has the time gone? I thought for sure that this year would drag. I thought that with all the pain we had suffered this year, it was going to be a long painful year. Painful yes, but not long. I am still not sleeping well. I think it is from the stress of the holidays and thinking of the moms. I keep wondering back to what they are missing and what we are missing without them. I know the holiday's are rough when you have lost a loved one, but to me it seems extreme with losing both moms. I haven't talked to Lee about it to see if he feels the same way. I am afraid to actually. I don't want to bring him down if he is feeling okay....does that make sense? I'm sure it does.

On another note it is almost my birthday then my sister's birthday and then Kenny's 3rd birthday then Christmas. I am so happy to have the holidays here. The true meaning sometimes seems lost but we try to find it.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Ok I usually love all the food and family stuff but this year was so different. It was missing something. I never thought it was going to be this hard not to be able to share the holidays without the moms. Plus with all the other bad stuff going on...

Lee has to have surgery on his knee again and dad has "suspecious" spots in his bladder so another biopsy for him. I am so ready for 2009 to be over. This year totally sucked the big one.

I have no idea what to get for people for Christmas. If I had more time i would make some stuff but I don't so I can't. I hate that I have to work. I want to be able to take care of my kids. I hate midnights too. It messes with my system so much.

On another note I am enjoying what little time I do have with my kids and hubby. I have found sometime to make these really cute star ornaments. I'll take a picture and show blog world soon.

Done stealing!!

I removed my fish and calander. I felt that since I stole the idea I needed to take it off. Plus it was to consuming, I was not sure if the fish did not get fed would they die and with me vowing not to check my blog as much I did not want blog world to smell of dead fish.

I really do not know what to say!!

I have been thinking since I turned off and then back on my comments that blogging is supposed to be for me. I am not sure if that is true. Okay I know it is true but for some reason it bothers me when I do not get them. Maybe I need to not check my blog so often. I have downtime at work and check it before doing homework just like my facebook. And even there I get few comments. Am I that vain? I never thought I was! I need to stop doing this and just get over it and blog for me.

Winter is coming!!

I opened up the door to let the dog out and I was blasted with the smell of a fireplace and a hint of snow. I love the smell of winter. It is so awesome. I was in bed bath and beyond the other day and it was so holiday smelly in there I could have stayed the night. The only thing was I could not find the scent they had in the store. So now I'm on the hunt. Any ideas would be nice.

Stealing!!

So I have been looking at all of my blog friends and I found one that stands out. So I stole her Ideas. Sorry but that was too cute. Thank you Shanna for the ideas. I will try to inspire you soon.

Quick update!!

Work has been crazy. We keep getting people with flu like symptoms, which causes us to slow down on our treatments even though we have more treatments to do.

Because work is so crazy I am having trouble getting homework done. School is going ok but I have a few projects to do that are going to take me longer to do than my normal day of or day before. So I am going to need those hours at night that I may not have.

My nephew Kyle is getting married on Friday. He wants to join the Air Force and they will not let him join because they say he is a single dad (which he is but his girlfriend is obviously in the picture) so they moved the day up.

Lee has another tear in his knee. In two weeks we will see what the next step is. He did get another handicap plaque so that is helpful, he has to park so far out at school and by the time he gets to the building his knee is in so much pain.

Everyone is doing ok. Rachele had school today but they called me to come get her because he power went out. Kenny is loving his daycare. We are too. It is nice to have someone you can trust to help out. The holidays are just around the corner and I am feeling the sadness of not having my mom and mother in law.

Memories!!

Setting here watching the History channel about to 20 years since the fall of the Berlin wall. When I was a kid we lived in Berlin, it is bringing back some of the memories of shopping with mom in the East and the "goose step". I can't belive it has been 20 years. They just showed checkpoint Charlie.

P.S. I turned my comments back on. I figured I can post for me and not have to have comments. I at least read my blog. And a few others.

Sunday!!

We had our fast Sunday...like every other LDS church did. But ours was a little more special. We had one of the 70's there. It was awesome and yet intimidating to have someone so close to the Prophet there. It made me feel even worse for not fasting even though I was at work and have to have food and water to keep going. When I look up his name i will edit my post to let you know which one it was. I want to make sure I spell it right...

It's all about me!!

Okay not really.

I was just wondering through the few blogs I visit and I see so much. I wonder do we really need all these different places to catch up with each other with? I so enjoy reading the posts but sometimes it seems that some post and others don't. I am not trying to judge by any means, that is not for me to do.

I have also been wondering why no comments bother me. I guess it is because I see so many other people comment on others posts and some of them live in the same city. That really amazes me. I again am not trying to judge.

I feel that my blog is lacking something. I'll find it soon. That is a big part of why I turned off the comments besides not getting any.

So it's 1am again!!!

So here I am at work thinging the night is going by fast. Then I look up and its 1am again. Of course thats because we had to have our "fall" back time. Daylight savings is so hard. I hope my dad remembers because he offered to make us breakfast. Then as I was sitting here going biskets and gravy sound so yummy. I remembered that it is fast Sunday. Well, mine is shot alreadt as I'm at work and need the water and other healthy nurishment to stay active and awake at work. Lee on the other hand I'm sure forgot and he won't be doing it either. So here is my grateful Sunday minus fasting post...

I am grateful for the nice weather so the kids could enjoy trick or treating.

I am grateful for my family for the the love they show me.

I am grateful that I can be with my family forever.

I am geateful that I am able to have the church in my life through our freedom of religion in this awesome country.

I am grateful for my job, with not so many people handing out candy it makes me wonder are they having a hard time with money?

I am grateful for my husband who loves me even when we fight and always will.

I am grateful for my kids and the love the show me.

I am grateful that I will see my mom again one day. She loved halloween.

Remember no comments. I'm still protesting. I want to make sure I post for me not for others. I just feel that if i worry about comments I'm doing it for thr wrong reasons.

WOW!!

So feeling a little less loved in blog world, I'm pulling a Shanna. No more comments. My last few posts are commentless. I feel like I give (not so much lately) and do not receive. It is not supposed to be for your benefit but for mine but I feel with the lack of comments I'm offending or something to others so for now no more comments will be allowed.

Week in review!!!

Sunday I worked...yuck. Monday I worked...not so bad for a Monday. Tuesday I slept. Wednesday I got my flu shot...not so bad, I have to make the kids appointments to get theirs. Thursday we bought a new to us SUV...2002 Chevy Suburban, it is very nice considering it age. Plus with us planning baby 3 we may need the extra room soon. Not to mention twins run on my side of the family so that is always a possibility. Friday I worked but only for 4hours that was awesome. However, the boss came in to do the interviews for the management position. So they will have to do mine sometime next week because they want to decide by the end of next week. They did tell the other night shift person who applied thanks for saving us money but we really needed Deb here. Oh well, as long as I get the interview, right. Saturday working again. It has been a nice night. I started the night with 5 tower and about 12 treatments and ending my night with ICU and the ER. Not to bad really. I hope all are well in blog world.

Recap of the week....

Monday was a good day off. Tuesday was back to work and Aunt Cathy watched Kenny for the first time. They had a blast. Wednesday work again and cheer leading. Thursday work again and more cheer leading. Friday a day off...wanted to do some running around but did not get as much done as planned. Saturday football games and Rachele's party. Rachele did awesome and the boys lost. Nick (my nephew) played his game at 1pm and they won...7-0, good job guys. The PARTY!!! We planned chili and rice and corn bread for dinner and cake and ice cream...we got to eat the chili and cornbread and rice but the power went out so no ice cream because it was in the freezer in the garage. Most people would say well open the side door, but we can't we have a table in the way of the door. We might have to fix that.

Rachele got a Wii, but could not play it because we had no power :( . She also got a few games and clothes. She got some doll toys too, a playpen, high chair and stroller. I'm sure I will have some pictures soon of the Wii fun at the Story house.

Wide awake at 5am!!

Must be the curse of the night shift. I have been awake since 3am. It started out waking up for the call of nature and then Lee's snoring kept me up so here I am blogging, facebooking and doing some reading for homework.

Rachele had an awesome birthday. I got the first four hours off because I worked overtime and we had five people scheduled. We went to build a bear with her money from Lee's dad. It was fun. Then out to dinner at Logan's. She likes that you can put the nut shells on the floor.

Our computers are acting up so we did not get to catch conference. Does anyone know do they have podcasts of them? I should check into that. Maybe even suggest it, but then again it might be to much.

SHANNA: Love the update. I actually have gotten use to just letting you know what I think on my blog. As long as you update, it makes me update. Rachele has had a few bad dreams lately too. What direction does the head of Katie's bed face? Bad dreams come from the west (I think). Of course sometimes bad dreams just happen.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RACHELE!!!

Wishing Rachele a happy 6th birthday. I know it will be fun even if mommy is not there to have fun too.

Cheering at the game and playing with her new toys. Her big gift will be given to her at her partty next week, so until then...

My happenings!!!

Well two big things coming up this weekend.

Conference and Rachele's 6th birthday.

She has a game on her birthday (Saturday). We are going to have them wish her a happy birthday during her game.

I am looking forward to catching what I can of conference. I have to work Saturday so, I'll have to watch it later. I love the fact that I can miss it but still catch it, does that make sense?

My mom and dads anniversary is today, they would have been married for 42 years. Days like today make it hard. Dad is traveling back home this weekend and going to see family he hasn't seen in years.

We are planning a party for Rachele next weekend. With me having to work I did not want to be tired at work.

Updates!!!

I added some new photos. Scroll down and check them out.

Me

Not to much going on. Just wanting to say hi to those who may read my blog.

HI blog readers.

Shanna!!

Hey,
You have been busy. Your bread looks awesome. Glad your dinner turned out good. I made some banana nut bread the other day. It turned out ok but I think it needed something more. Oh well, my dad liked it and it is going well at my house. I gave my dad half a loaf because he gave me the nuts for it so it was the least I could do.

Man oh man!!

Well Lee had church solo today...I had to work so I was sleeping. He taught class with one of the primary presidents. Things went well.

Rachele starts school on Tuesday. Her piggy piggy (Jasmine) is doing good.

Kenny is having fun doing everything sissy does. I hope he gets out of this phase soon cuz a boy playing with dolls and dress up is kinda strange.

Me I get to stop my birth control....yea. I know some would say I shouldn't have been taking it in the first place but we really could not afford another child before now so we are in the planning stage of baby three. After about six months off to insure all the hormones are out of my system we will get seroius about making the next baby. I know to much details. But I had to share.

Shanna I like your last post. The pictures were a nice addition to the post. Without a comment section I guess I'll have to leave you comments in my posts :)

Hi!!

Just wanted to say hi to all my blog friends...HI!!!

I see everyone is doing fine...or at least saying they are.

Emily....your chicken coop is awesome. Lee's uncle has one that is just an old outhouse revapt and the run is just chicken wire. You can see the love in your coop.

Anna....I admire you for homeschooling. I always said I would but just helping with homework runs my nerves.

Shanna and Jennifer....I understand what you kids (and you) go through when dad (hubby) are gone. Keep up the good work as temporary single moms.

Becca....I love how your blog is always so loving. I feel the love every time I read a post.

Beth....Dear sister if you still read my blog, update yours. You act like you work or something.

Andrea....I miss you frugel updates, give me more.

For those I missed I like your blogs too but the ones singled out I check daily so... I will look to yours soon.

Story Fun!!

Lee's surgery was a success. No more pain. But some swelling still. He gets the stiches out Wednesday.

Rachele has her first football game on the 29th. Going to be a long day. We still have a little over a week before school starts (Sept. 8th), I am so looking forward to that day. Although she really isn't a hastle.

Lee's moms birthday is next week so we are going north to spend it with his dad, mostly to make sure he is ok as it is the first one with out her.

Kenny is just hanging out with mom and dad and sissy (achele) is what he calls her. It is so cute to hear his vocabulary.

Over all life is good.

More updates

Lee's grandpa died. Funny thing is it was about an hour earlier than my lost post saying he wasn't doing good.

Lee had some blood work come back elevated so he has to go see a GI doctor. His liver enzyes are high and the ultrasound showed he has an enlarged liver and spleen. I'll keep you posted.

Rachele starts cheerleading next week she is excited. Hopefully the games will be on Saturday's so she can go to them.

Kenny is just enjoying what ever his little heart desires.

Me I'm doing good. A little stressed and an extra headache or two is really getting me down. I just don't know what to do about all the health issues. Prayers are said so hopefully we will see some light.

When it rains....

Well Lee called me at work to tell me that his grandpa is not doing so good. He has lots of clots in his legs and a few in his lungs (not good). He was supposed to get a peg tube (a feeding tube) but they can't do it because of the clots. Or at least Lee thinks they can't. He has lived a full life and has no regrets but it seems odd to know he could die from starvation because they can't do anything for him but make him comfortable until he goes.

Rachele was mad because mommy had to work again. She hates it when I go. I told her that it's not so bad she has daddy but you know kids want mommy. The nice thing is I have the next three days of to spent with the kids.

Kenny is a little dare devil. I see a broken bone in the future. He climbed up the built in shelving unit and fell from half way up with the shelf. He has no fear or so it seems.

Lee does need surgery on his knee. August 13th is the day. With the move he has been extra sore. I hope the move did not make it worse. I do have a few days off in a row to help him re coop so we will see.

Me, I'm doing ok. Some days are hard. I worked in the ICU last night and had a patient die and one we took off life support. It was hard to watch the family sit and wait. I kept telling myself your fine and I made it. I know things will get better but some days its hard not to think about mom. Time will heal the wound.

Cute kid things!!

Okay everyone else seems to have a cute kid thing so I'm gonna do it too.

Kenny: He does not sleep he yeeps. No is mo. Milk is mok. He does not go potty he tells that is what it is...looks at the toilet and says potty potty. Funny little guy.

Rachele: She is all girl. She hates it when she does not get her way... big tears and all. Pretzels are prenzels. Girl is not girl, I'm not even sure how to spell what she says. She called some one a creep the other day, and then when we asked her what a creep was she had no clue and said her Nick cousin told her that word.

My kids are funny. The should be fast asleep in their beds but I think daddy let them "yeep" on the couch.

Fun with a blog!!

I was just roaming around facebook and found this neat badge thing...I had to adjust it, didn't want my e-mail out there for the whole world to see.

Hi

Hello everyone in blog world...long time no talk to.

Well as my facebook friends know which is most of you who view my blog...My mom died on June 18, 2009. Only three days after Lee's mom. We are doing fine and getting through this rough patch.

We move in a little over a week...yea! The plan was to move next door to mom and dad and help with mom, but now it is to be closer to dad and spend more time with him.

Lee goes to the doctor in the morning to see about his knee. The MRI doesn't look so good, I think surgery is in his near future.

That's all for now.

Sadness!!!

Lee's mom passed away today June 15th, 2009. She went peacefully with her family (I sat in the waiting room with the kids). She had been sick and on a ventilator for about a week and a half. She went in with heart pain (as she says) and had a heart attack with pneumonia and congestive heart failure. She ended up having another heart attack and they brought her back, the family got to be with her when she went that was a good thing. Lee is doing better than I thought.

My mom is home and doing okay. She is seeing people who are not there. Working in the health care field you here about people talking to people who are not there before they die. It is really bothersome to see my mom doing this. Her home nurse even braced us for the worst. She also is getting us a hospital bed, wheelchair and bedside table for the house so it is easier to care for her.

It's over...

We did our first talk at church. It was easy and hard all at the same time. Staying close to God is a hard topic. Okay not really but I am glad it is over.

Mom is sick again. She is much better and should be home soon. Dad is under going chemo again but he is having some trouble still from the biopsy so his last treatment they postponed.

We are still on target to move, but we feel bad because our branch just became a WARD, yea. Maybe we can stay who knows???

I'm glad a have the next four days off...rest.

Calling

We are a go for our calling. We will get more info on Sunday. This is a first for Lee and I. All of my calling but one have been in primary and Lee's only calling was in the library. It will be fun to teach as a team.

LIFE!!

Well we are looking for a house...but we are going to stay renting to save more money. We have found a house...right next door to my parents. It has the same set-up as their house with the exception of some previous owners knocked out the wall between what was the kids room and my room at my parents. Making the house a 3 bedroom. As long as everything goes right and we don't get a no from our prayer we will be moving in July.

Classes are coming to an end...but then they start right back up. So I will be busy.

Dad had a biopsy on his bladder and we are still waiting for results. He had a lump removed from his right breast this morning. He feels better. The surgeon thinks it is just a fatty cyst but is still sending it off. I'll keep you posted.

Lee is thinking about getting his knee fixed...thank goodness. We will see. He is worried about the "downtime".

Lee and I got called for a couple calling. Teaching the 8-12 year olds (going on 9 and 13). Our branch is so small thay have nursery, then the the 5-7 year olds, and then the 9-13 year olds...if they separted them more some kids would be alone and so on. We will see. We said yes but it still needs to be offically approved. I'll keep you posted.

1st Five!!

Taking the challenge from Shanna...

The first five people to respond to this post will get something made by me! My choice. For you. If you have a request, I'd be happy to entertain it...(within reason, of course, and my budget). This offer does have some restrictions and limitations:

1. I make no guarantees that you will like what I make for you! But I hope you will...
2. What I create will be just for you. Or maybe a member of your family if you'd rather.
3. Give me at least 'til August to finish
4. If you are long-distance, I'll probably send via cheapest shipping.


The catch is that you must re-post this on your blog and offer the same to the first 5 people to comment.

Glad I was missed!!

I am glad I was missed.
I work the same hours...midnights but the shift is 630 to 700 instead of 700 to 730. That half hour really makes a difference...and I'm closer to home. I am three miles from home instead of eight and I don't have to drive to Detroit. The nice thing is the weekends are friday-saturday so we can go to church every sunday...awesome.

Haileigh Rose is here. 8lbs 3oz 20 1/4 long. She is so beautiful. I have no pictures yet but those of you who I know on facebook can see the picture I took from my sister's facebook. They went home today so I will have pictures soon.

I loved conference. I will chat more later in another post.

Out of touch!!

It has been sometime... two months today.

I started my new job. I love it so far. I started school again. I have one calss that really makes you think. It is a theology class. I like and hate it all at the sametime.

Mom is doing good health wise. Dad on the other hand is having some issues...he has to go in for some tests next week...I'll keep you posted.

My nephew is about to make me a great aunt. His girlfriend is in labor as I type. I'll post pictures as soon as I have them.

NOT Negative!!

As I looked at my blogs I realized the last few have been negative...so Resolution number one...Only post good things or at least make it good in the end.

number two...get everything done before school on the 28th. Yes, I went back I should be done with my Bachelors by December.

number three...get all the paperwork in order to BUY a house. Lee is actually doing most of this but he does need my help.

number four...stay active in church...on the weekends I have off. It is way to hard at least at this point to work 12 hours go to church from 10:30 to 2:00 and then work another 12 hours. But I am working on it.

This is not the end of my list I just wanted to get it started.

PAIN!!!

I have a killer migraine... The pressure is not really the thing that is bothering me it's the sharp intense pains I keep getting. If you could feel a blood clot moving through your veins that is what the pain feels like...sharp at point "A" the sharp all the way to point "B". It really hurts. I am toughing it out at work which seems to make it worse because of the lights. I am in sensory overload...

At Work!!

I am at work and bored. So why not blog...well if I get caught I could get wrote up. We have a new sheriff in town, she is cracking down on rule breakers. Plus I am frustrated with work and would need to vent off the steam if I kept typing so I will leave it simple and say....

I am looking for a new hospital to work at...this one is making me realize I can not reach my full potential.

KIDS!!!

Okay so maybe it's because I work and feel bad about missing out on things that the kids do but I feel guilty when I get mad at the kids over little things.

Examples:
Rachele and her homework...she can really push my buttons while doing it. I tell her the directions and she starts out fine but after telling after each thing in that category the directions it really gets annoying.

Kenny always wanting me to hold him. Okay that one really should not bother me but its gets trying when I wake up and for the first three hours all he wants is me. I need some space or at least let me go to the bathroom before you stick to me like glue.

The kids cleaning...or lack of cleaning. Okay so Kenny does not do much cleaning but when you send them to the room to clean and they just play and fight...man does that get me.

But I have to say as I have gotten older and heard stories about me... my kids do exactly what I did at there age. So I guess I did it to myself. When my mom got flustered with me and said those famous words "I hope you have kids just like you" I DID!!

NOTE: Most days I am fine with what they do, but I have a headache and Lee has school and I feel stressed out. I only have one day off this week so I feel like I am neglecting the family because I slept most of it away. Maybe I should try to find a day job...no I really like nights, maybe I just need a new location to work.

I have updated!!!

With the cancellation of church...lots of snow and coldness...is that a word? I decided to update.

Ok so we weren't planning on going to church anyway...we seem to have the bug Anna has. It is not just you Anna. It is going around here too. They even cancelled school on Friday to sanitize the school that's how bad it is here.

We have had a rough week Tuesday my mom went into the hospital with congestive heart failure. She is doing well. Wednesday the brakes went out on my van... I was able to stop safely. Thursday Lee wrecked his truck... he is fine but sore. So we are looking forward to this new week.

Back to the updates I added some pictures to the end of my blog...check them out.

Grateful Sunday!!! (even if it's posted on Tuesday)

I am so glad that I was able to go to church on Sunday. I told Lee even though I would be exhausted we were going. I was tired but it was nice to be in church.

I am glad Rachele had a good time at church...she had a friend from our old ward so she felt at home. (We are so small CTR is 5-7 year olds).

I am glad Kenny let me leave the room when we dropped him off. He did good. It is him and one other little boy.

I am glad Lee enjoyed being back at church.

I am grateful for our branch even if it is small. It is nice to be close. We have a few people that were from the Southfield ward in our new branch. Most of them jumped straight to the Palmer Park branch when we moved to the Warren ward. We really enjoyed it.

Back and safe!!!

We had a wonderful trip dispite the reason for the trip.

I got to met cousins that I have never seen. I got to show Lee how the hills are in PA. I even got to see some more of the town were my parents grew up. We have put PA on the move to list. Not sure if it will ever happen but it is on the list.

We had a nice day for the funeral. The weather was almost perfect...a little cold but no snow or rain. My aunt looked good. I was really shocked at the fact that she looked so good. I've been to a few funerals were the people look fake but she looked like she was sleeping. I look forward to doing her temple work for her.

I am so glad my dad did so well. He did cry at the services and at the grave site and I'm sure a little bit between the two... but he got to see his brothers and we got pictures of them all. I got to see my Uncle Harry who I never recall seeing.

The kids did very well. Rachele got a little emotional but it was very sweet. Kenny wanted to help with all the babies. We have three new babies in the family...and the family is going to try to plan a family reunion in the sunmmer so maybe the Story clan can make it back out there. I'll try to post some pictures this weekend.

An update on mom...she stayed home with Kyle my nephew and my brother in law Rob. She stayed in bed the whole time we were gone. I see another hospital trip in the near future but I don't know when. She has so much fluid built up on/in her she looks like she has goned back all the weight she lost from getting sick. I hope I am wrong.

Happy New Year!!!

Okay so thus far my new year has been okay. I have decided to make a few resolutions...to be reveled later.

My night (meaning my day) did not start out so good. Lee woke me up at about 12pm to tell me my Aunt Deb died that morning (meaning Dec 31). I was named after her in a round about way. Her name is Shirley but my Grandpa aka PopPop called her his Debutante because she was the only girl out of six kids. Any way my work does not give time off for extended family so I am trying to get people to switch shifts with me so we can go to the funeral in PA. I did get one person and the other is going to double check her schedule to see if she can work the other day.

I hope everyone is doing good and has a wonderful year.