Cat Got Your Tongue?

WARNING: Nasty pictures...

Before stitches... (these pictures make the cut look mild)

After Stitches.

This is what happens when your 2 yr old likes to climb on the stool, pull herself onto the counter to drink from the faucet, then misses the stool on the way down and catches herself with her chin on the edge of the counter... and don't forget her tongue was between her teeth.

I discovered why I was meant to have girls. Stitches don't happen too often in a house full of girls, and for that I am thankful. I was fine with the blood but once I saw that big chunk of tongue just hanging down, my stomache did a little flip.

The Doctor said it was bad enough for stitches, but warned us that the tongue is the hardest part to stitch.... that was an understatement!

Reese was fine until the Dr gave her a shot in the tongue, then she wouldn't open her mouth for anyone.

It took 4 adults holding her down, and after a half an hour, she was only able to get 2 stitches in. The poor nurse had to force her tongue out with a tongue depressor (resulting in those gross sores on the corner of her mouth) while the Dr tried to grab and keep a hold of her tongue with one hand, while stitching with the other.

Let's just say that Reese is freakishly strong for her size, and we were all dripping sweat when it was over with. Why they didn't drug her, I will never know.

So, if you ever have a kid who needs stitches in the mouth, make sure that they give them something strong to relax them.

It's pretty funny watching Reese try to eat or drink now. She holds her cup to the one corner of her mouth and drinks sideways. Today at lunch she pointed to her face and said, "Dis side have owie, but not dis side. I dwink wif dis side."

I guess if I had boys, this would have been no big deal...

Our Amazing Grandma Ginger

Have I ever told you about my amazing Grandma Ginger?

Well, she's amazing. So amazing, that I was named after her. I think that my parents were hoping that I would turn out to be just as great... sorry to dissapoint you Mom and Dad!

Well, I was blessed to have her in my life for 31 1/2 happy years.

My Grandma could do anything! She could bake the most wonderful desserts and breads, all without a recipe. She could take just about any boring item and turn it into something beautiful. When I was little, she crocheted a pair of leg warmers and a matching bag for me... I thought I was the stuff going back to school after Christmas break. She taught my girls how to make the most beautiful paper dolls. She was a beautiful writer and story teller. All though she grew up a city girl, she went on to help run a ranch in the middle of Montana, without electricity or running water. Later in her life, she went on to serve a mission with my Grandpa in Sau Paulo, Brazil. This meant that she had to learn to speak Portuguese, even though she was in her 60's. My Grandpa used to tell us that she could shoot a gun better than any man he knew.

All this, and she also raised 6 kids.

4 years ago, my Grandma was told that she had lung cancer and only had a couple of months to live. Well, a couple of months was not enough for her so she decided that she was going to stick around for a few more years... so she did.

My Grandma Ginger passed away peacefully on Christmas morning. I was able to see her the night before and tell her goodbye. It was such a sacred experience.

Although I will miss her terribly, I am so happy to have had such an amazing women in my life. I went away from her funeral wanting to be a better person and to try to live up to her name. I hope that my girls will remember her and her amazing strength.

I can't wait until the day I get to see her again (well, maybe I can wait about 50 or 60 years). I am going to miss her!

She's Freaky!

So we made our annual trip up to Temple Square to see the lights. We headed downtown early, and totally missed the crowds. The weather was great and we had a fun time. Of course we can't have an outing without some crazy comment from Ginny. We were watching the nativity and DJ asked her if she liked Mary the best. Her reply was, "No, she's totally fake, and she's freaky!" So there you have it.

The next comment from her was, "I would rather go to Vegas. Atleast it's warm and fun there."
So apparently she wasn't too impressed with the lights. You can't win them all, I guess.

Reese has outgrown her hat, so all night it kept sliding up her head. It looked like she had a cone head. Time to dig out one of our bigger hats.

In other news, the kids got their booster H1N1 doses. Now usually we end up holding Taylor down while she freaks out, but not this time. She took a deep breath and got it over with. I guess turning 10 made her grow up. Now if we could just figure out how to get DJ to overcome his fear of needles......

Merry Christmas!

I'm Too Young To Have a 10 Year Old!!!

I really don't feel that old. Maybe because I don't act my age

(that's probably a bad thing... oh well)

With Taylor turning 10, I have learned that the older they get, the more expensive the gifts get.

Here is her list of things that she wants:

• A puppy. This has been on her list for the last 8 years, and will stay there until she has a husband to buy her one.... sorry kid!
• A Nintendo DS (not gonna happen)
• A laptop (keep dreaming)
• A camcorder (you can have my giant old one, it still works)
• An Ipod

Well, we caved and got her the last item on her list. We got her a refurbished Ipod and saved $50. The smile says it all.

We celebrated by going to see "The Princess and the Frog", making a replica of her favorite dish from Noodles and Co (yummy), and finishing the day watching "It's a Wonderful Life".
The next day we had a party for her and her cousin, where she got lots of Itunes money, real money, and a cute shirt. You couldn't find a happier kid around!
Speaking of happy kid, Taylor is so wonderfully happy. Not only is she happy, but she has made us happy for the last 10 years. I couldn't ask for a better girl. She is so genuinely kind and loving. Taylor is a little replica of her dad... minus the hairy body and boy parts.

Happy Birthday kid..... everyone who knows you, loves you!!!

Nativity:101, and Christmas Disclaimer

If it seems like I'm always talking about Ginny, it's because I am. That girl is my constant form of entertainment. Here's a look at some recent conversations:

Ginny and Reese are dancing to Christmas music the other day. I walk in and Ginny informs me that she is the angel, and Reese is "that lady who had the baby".

Now I promise I have taught my kids about the birth of Jesus. In fact, not only have we discussed it at home, but they just learned about it in primary on Sunday.

Fast forward a few days:

Ginny had a baby in a little basket. She said it was for part of our Christmas decorations.

Ginny: Mom, that is so sad that baby Jesus' Mom had to send him away down the river. The princess had to take care of him.... wait, was that another guy, or was it Jesus?

Me: That was Moses, Ginny

The next day:

Ginny: Mom, I love your statues of Mary, Moses, and Jesus.

Me: His name is Joseph, not Moses. Moses was the baby who was sent down the river.

Ginny: Yah, whatever.

I guess she's not that good with names. Atleast it made me laugh.

Also, here is my Christmas disclaimer:

Due to the fact that I want to enjoy Christmas this year, I will not be sending out christmas cards, or doing neighbor gifts. Sometimes I skip a year here or there, but it's because I run out of time. I end up worrying about it all month long. This year I just decided up front, not to do them. Now I get to sit back and enjoy Tay's birthday and the Christmas season.

Bah Humbug!!

Everybody Needs One...

A Ginny, that is!

This kid manages to make me laugh and frustrate the heck out of me, all at the same time.

The week before last was a BAD one! DJ was in Phoenix all week and it was one of those weeks that had a million different things going on. By Friday afternoon, I was done. The kids had been making huge mesess everywhere, and the house was trashed. I finally just lost it. I started chewing the kids out for being such lazy slobs and telling them that I was done being their Mom. Taylor apologized and said that she would do better, but not Ginny.

Ginny just turned it around on me and told me that she was "Kind of like a hobo, because she had mean parents who didn't love her and she was going to move away and be homeless because then she wouldn't have anyone to make her do work or go to school, etc.....".

That sure lightened the mood.... super funny!

Fast forward a few days... Ginny informs me that she wants to be either a bus driver, a doctor, or work at In N Out when she grows up. I told her to take the fast food profession... free double double's, and no student loans.

THEN, last night it was her turn to say family prayer. Luckily she remembered to pray that we wouldn't run out of food and have to go eat at "those places that give you free food". You'll also be pleased to hear that she is still praying that no one else will get the swine flu, especially not us.

Love her!!!

Lady Bug, Bee, and Witchy Poo

We had a great Halloween this year!

Lots of parties, candy, and fun!

Taylor wanted to be something scary, so chose a witch. When all was said and done, she ended up being a "cute" witch, instead of a scary one. Her hat was decorated with a cute sash and a sparkly spider, but they don't show up in any of the pictures. Ginny was the opposite... she chose to be a cute bee, but then decided she wanted to scare people. I had already started on her costume, so I told her it was too late to change. Her solution was that she could be a squished bee, and put fake blood all over her face. Luckily, she stuck with sparkles on her face.

Reese didn't know what was going on, so I decided on a lady bug. She didn't care... she just liked to twirl in her skirt.

FYI: Chuckie masks are not as funny as we might think. Unless you want lights left on all night, and kids too scared to go anywhere in the house by themselves, then I would not recommend a Chuckie mask. Well, it actually works well for disciplining. We haven't had to pull it out yet, but DJ warned the girls that if they don't obey, then Chuckie will be the one to decide the punishment (ie one of us will put on the mask while punishing the offender). Even Reese comes running if we threaten Chuckie. As of yet, Chuckie has not had to step in. Ginny has gotten close, but quickly obeyed when we mentioned the mask.

"Child's Play" was on tv (edited) the other night, and Tay claims that she wants to watch it during the day so that she can see how lame he really is. I will have to watch it first, then decide if she can. Although, I'm sure that she will chicken out.... I'll keep you posted.

If anyone needs to borrow the mask, let me know!!