My Family

So, I know I am slow at keeping this up.  Its a new concept to me...still.  

I have a 76 year old man in my life.  I call him DAD.  He has shown me how to love and how to provide for a family.  He has shown me and continues to show me how to be a great parent.  He always told me that the door is always open, no matter what he has going on.  

I have a 74 year old lady in my life.  I call her MOM.  She has shown me how to be a kind and loving mom.  She has shown me how to be a worthy woman.  She has shown me how to stand up for myself without degrading myself.  She has always been my sounding board and listening ear.

My parents wont be around forever.  I know this, but having them in my life for 36 years...  I cannot picture being anywhere else but close to them.  My boys love them so much and the joy my parents express when we are all together...it warms my heart.  

I have a 42 year old man in my life.  He is my husband.  I have been with him since September 2000 and married since July 2002.  He moved to New York in May 2001.  We have not had a the best of times all the time but we have made the best of what is dealt to us.  He was a massage therapist and we have been to Massachusetts but that didnt pan out.  Then we went to North Carolina and that was where we lived for about 2 years.  We had our oldest child there and came back to New York in March 2005.  He has held numerous callings for our church.  It took him 5 years to obtain an associates degree in Medical Billing and works current for a Family Care Medical Group.  He is currently the Young Men's 2nd Counselor in our church.

I have a 13 year old teenage boy in my life.  I call him Brycen.  He has tried basketball; soccer; t-ball.  But his most favorite is theater.  He was in the community theater musical Scrooge and is currently rehearing for the musical Sketch with the community theater.  He is in the National Junior Honor Society.  He is in 8th grade and his high school curriculum is very busy with Bio Health and will graduate with 1 year of college under his belt.  He is looking forward to serving a mission for our church when he turns 18.  Right now his is the Deacon Quorum President in our church.  He brings me joy and stress and happiness and pride.  He takes care of his brother when asked and when he notices it needs to be done.  He is very close with my parents.  

I have a 6 year old boy in my life.  I call him Payson.  He is in Kindergarten.  He loves school.  He loves his friends and enjoys going every day.  He is energetic, charismatic, hyper, loving, stressful.  He will look at you and do what he KNOWS he is not suppose and laugh.  He is reading the scriptures every night, at least 4 verses each time.  He is so proud of himself and does a great job.  He loves watching Weather Gone Viral and Weather Caught on Camera.  He cannot wait to turn 12 to pass sacrament.  He loves his big brother and wants to be with him all the time.  

We have 5 cats...Zora, Princess; Midnight; Cinnamon & Snowball.  We lost 1 cat (Prince) and 1 dog (Fifi) in 2017.  Fifi passed from uncontrolled Seizures and Prince died from a heart condition.  It was a hard blow to the family.  But, we know we will see them again.  

Our life isnt perfect...I am 36 years old.  I am a paramedic with the local ambulance TLC.  I am a Sunday School teacher in my church.  I work overnights so my children dont have to go to daycare.  I work 60+ hours a week to off set what my husband makes.  I am not a fan of winter.  I dont like cold.  My perfect temperature is 70 - 80 with sun and some rain.  I hide alot of my fears and depression and anxieties.  I am typically a strong person.  I have a small group of friends that can see through my masks.  

I love making friends. I defend my family and friends.  

Till next time.

July 2016

Hello Again!

So, some fun changes

Brycen has had a difficult last year at Casey Park Elementary School.  Back in September, Brycen and his BFF Topher (Chris) were threatened to kill themselves by another 6th grader.  I called the PD and so did Topher's mom.  Auburn PD came to our homes and the home of the other child to take complaints.  The day after the threat, Brycen went into school early for trumpet lessons and the boy asked Topher if Brycen took his advice and Topher said "no".  He then said "too bad".  Myself and Topher's parents called a meeting with the principle and superintendent and other family.  Nothing, of course, came from it.  We were informed by the bad boy's parent that when we moved to Auburn, 4 yrs ago, Brycen stole Topher from him and has been mad since.  So, I told the boys to be friendly but not friends with this child.  At the end of the year, this boy made accusations that our boys threatened him.  Now, if you know either boy, you know that "kill yourself" "im going to kill you" never exit their mouths.  Needless to say, its been a very stressful, unhappy 6th grade year.  BUT, Brycen will be in AP Allegra (Algebra) next year.  Brycen is almost out of Primary.  He turns 12 in September and enters the Youth program in the church.  He also goes into Jr High in the fall.  LOL!  I love this kid so so much. 

Payson has enjoyed going to Cayuga - Onondaga BOCES for 3 days 1/2 days a week.  He is thriving in ways I couldn't help him.  He is enrolled in 5 days full days of UPK at Cayuga - Onondaga BOCES in the fall.  He loves his friends Eli and Addicus and Mason and all his little friends.  He has been to a birthday party for one of them this past year.  He is in Sunbeams at church with his friends Cole and Bailey and Amanda and Allison.  He is thriving so so much.  He is such a different person than Brycen.  He is very cautious about water.  This year he can get to the bottom step of the pool steps with his head above the water.  His comments are "i will sink to the bottom" every time we ask him to swim. 

Mike is now the 2nd counselor of the Auburn Ward Bishopric and he got a new job.  He was ordained by his father, Dan, to the Melchizedek Priesthood.  He finished his degree December 1, 2015 in medical office management.  After 5 months of pounding the pavement; resume dropping; interviewing...  He now works for Practice Resource Ltd.  He just finished 6 weeks training and his billing for Brighton Medical Center.  He loves it.  He is a good man to our children and pets.  He provides for his family.  Needless to say, he is very excited he is NOT having to work MacKenzie-Childs Ltd BARN SALE this year.  This year his thrilled he can go with us to Pageant without being rushed.  Things come to those who are patient. 

Leah is still working hard at TLC Medical Services as well as at Four Town Ambulance as a paramedic.  Leah is the primary music leader at church.  She is a firefighter / paramedic with Throop Fire Department.  She is very active.  She tries to keep the peace at home.  She works nights so the kids have someone at home during the day. 

Fur Babies:
Fifi - is a 9 year old Cocker Spaniel mix; she is very sweet; she is a rescue dog.  She has been with us since April 2015.  She hates water and baths.  She never barks or scratch.  She is very loveable and is Leah's dog 100%.  However, when the family is out of the house, she does go and sleep on Brycen's bed.
Zora and Prince - 5 year old siblings cats.  They have been with us since May 2011.  Prince still chases Zora around.  Zora is really chilling out and enjoying herself.  She really doesn't like a lot of company.  Prince loves his belly vigorous rubbed and he knows when Leah gets ready to go to work.
Princess - is a 3 year old cat.  She is a spit fire.  She loves to snuggle with Prince.  She loves to lay on her back with her front paws crossed.  She loves her belly rubbed. 
Midnight - 7 month old cat.  He is a rescue cat.  He acts like a dog and will eat dog food.  He has 7 toes on all 4 paws.  We call him Midnight Mittens and Mini and Seven Toes.  He, surprisingly, answers to all.  He snuggles and purs loudly. 

We are all well.  We are still at our current address.  We are happy.  We miss the country living terribly.  We also, went to see an airshow this year.  

Hope this finds you all well and healthy.

This June 14th...

Mike and Brycen and I raised money with the Throop FD for the Auburn FD St Baldricks.  We also shaved our heads.  It has been an adventure.  I have never been bald. Mike and Brycen did it last year too.  What a great cause.  Raising money for childhood cancer research.  So many children are suffering from Cancer they dont deserve.  I have completely realized...BALD IS BEAUTIFUL!

2015

O MY GOODNESS! 


SO I  haven't posted in quite sometime.  Here is the low down...


Mike & I:
Is the Elders Quorum President.  He is almost completed his degree in hopes that when he does his externship he will get a job.  He still works at MacKenzie Childs Ltd as a receiving clerk.  He works hard.  He has joined Herbal Life and we are Senior Consultants.  I work 1 full time job and 1 part time job as a paramedic as well as the membership secretary for the Throop Vol Fire Dept.  I am getting a new calling in the church.  I cant stay stagnate for long.  I am hoping to further my education soon after Mike is done with his.  But we will see.  We have high hopes for the future. 


Brycen:
Finishing up 5th grade at Casey Park and plays the Trumpet!  He is 4'9 and weighs 149 lbs (you wouldn't know that by looking at him).  He is a great big brother.  He is testing his limits as a pre-teen but that is to be expected.  He loves school and wants to go to Yale or Harvard or BYU (in that order) for police / fire / EMS / cooking.  He is dedicated in his studies and likes basketball.  He was in karate but has taken a leave from that to work out with Mike and I more.  He is a picky eater but knows he has to try it first before he can say he doesn't like it.


Payson:
Starting preschool on the 29th of June at BOCES.  He loves school and cannot wait to start.  He gets upset when his brother leaves and he cant go.  He loves and idolizes his big brother.  He is talking all the time and trying to rationalize with us.  He loves our animals and has to be outside all the time.  He will be in sunbeams starting in September in church.  He doesn't like to take naps but once he is down he takes long naps.  The weekends are hard on him because our schedule gets messed up.  He is very outgoing and will only eat cheese sticks and honey peanut butter sandwiches or yogurt or fruit or mac & cheese or cheese sandwiches.  He is extremely picky when it comes to food.


The Cats:
Don't like our new addition.  They are finally getting use to the idea that she isn't going away.  Princess will be 3 this year and Zora & Prince will be 5 this year.  Prince loves being the only male in the house and snuggles with Princess all the time.  Zora spends most of her days under our bed and being chased by her brother Prince. 


The Dog:
Yes I said it...DOG.  We acquired a dog back in April.  In march I came home from an exam I helped with and there was this scared and cold spaniel mix on our porch.  I brought her into the house and called animal control because she had a collar but no tags.  They came and got her; 3 weeks later I get a message from my Aunt telling me that "your dog" is waiting for you.  I reminded her she wasn't mine.  She was abandoned by her owner and he didn't want to pay the $180 to the city for the fee.  I called the shelter and for $80 for vet bill + $20 for licensing she can be ours.  She is a gorgeous 8-10 yr old spaniel mix with grey in her mussel and wont leave my side.  Her name is FiFi.  She has rounded out our family nicely.


Sorry for not posting in a LONG TIME but truthfully I forgot how.  I promise monthly updates.


Be safe.

Christmas and a Birthday

Christmas 2013:

Christmas was sparse this year but the most important thing, we had each other.  My parents were in Utah because my niece got married 12/27/13 in the Draper Temple.  We had a 2nd Christmas with them when they got back.

Unfortunately, I had to work both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day nights.  Mike took the kids to my parent's house to see Santa get off the Fire Truck.  Payson was not happy at all with Santa because of the beards.  The funny part of that is, I also was terrified of beards when I was young. 

Christmas Day, Brycen was sad because they had to wait til 8am to open the pile of gifts.
Brycen got: DS system (which was a fiasco); DS game; clothes; book and candy
Payson got: toys; clothes and candy
Mike got: utensil holder for our cooking; clothes and candy
Leah got: tea kettle; CD; candle; watch and candy

Overall, it was a fun day.  Brycen did turn into the Grinch because his DS wasnt charging or turning on and OF COURSE the game store wasnt open so he had to wait til the next day.  The "Grinch" spent some time in his room because of his attitude.  We made phone calls to family and relaxed.

New Years Eve and Day I had to work both nights again.  But the kids both fell asleep before midnight and Mike called me at midnight so he could go to bed.  I then called my parents they were, surprisingly, still awake. 

Payson turned 2 on the 6th of January. We had a family party, on the 5th.   We got to celebrate with Cheri and Peter and my parents.  It was very relaxed with lots of food and good company.  He is having a friends party at the bounce house in the Finger Lakes Mall on the 11th.  To see the changes he has made in a SHORT 2 years is amazing.  Mike wants me to buy pulls ups and start potty training but I am not sure because he is the BABY.  Maybe in February ;-)

Have a great day.

What We've Been Up To!

 Well...I see I am NOT a very good blogger.  I guess I need to make that a new resolution for 2014.  

Since May of 2012; we have been doing alot:

Brycen is in 4th grade now.  He is doing great in school  His teachers love him.  He is almost as tall as me.  He loves soccer.  He loves school; which we never thought we would ever hear him say.  In 3rd grade he had Ms Querns whom he thought was going to be awful but ended up being wonderful.  Brycen had counseling between the summer of 2nd and 3rd grade and we all realized that he was just having pure anxiety from the move and the baby and the new school.  It all hit him at once.  Then at the end of 3rd grade they had NYS tests and he then experienced anxiety.  So, he needs to have one on one for the NYS tests to help with his anxiety issues.  We never suspected that.  He loves to spend as much time as he can with Grandma and Papa.  He loves is little brother, even when he gets into his stuff.  He is a good helper.  He still has a big heart and loves everyone.  He still has a hole in his heart but we have been seeing the cardiologist regularly to keep on top of it.  Next spring he goes back.  

Payson is almost 2.  Where did that time go.  He has curly hair and ocean blue eyes.  He, we think, is going to be our terror.  He is very particular when it comes to food and things he wants.  He would prefer to be in a dirty diaper than have it changed.  He doesn't like baths.  He likes to grocery shop as long as his boot and coat come off while in the cart.  He loves oreos (the blonde ones).  He knows that at check out, they are there and he is allowed to get them for the ride home.  He loves his picture taken.  His stranger danger isn't as much of a thing now.  He still plays shy with those he isn't familiar with but doesn't scream.  When he doesn't get his way...watch out.  HE SCREAMS bloody mary.  I pity the person who tried to kidnap him, because they wont be able to hear.  He doesn't talk much but jibbers all the time.  He loves his "bass bass" (pacifier).  He is very smart, because when you ask him to go get something or throw something away, he doesn't.  He loves nursery and seeing his friends.

Mike is 38 and still working at MacKenzie Child, Ltd.  He is a counselor in the Priesthood.  He would like to re-up his massage but the timing isn't right, at the moment.  He works days so he is home with the kids at night.  Mike has served in the youth program.  His step-mom passed away last May but he was unable to attend her funeral but we sent flowers.  His grandma died while we were on vacation in Arizona in 2011.  He enjoys family time.  He realizes that he needs to work on not raising his voice so much and yelling through the house, when going to that person is much easier and respectful.  He sometimes get frustrated with Payson because he doesn't speak very well and trying to figure what is needed.  He also gets flustered with Brycen because personality wise, they are identical.  We have recently completed a marriage class at church and realized where we have come and what we need to work on.  He realized that he needs to not jump to conclusions and to listen more.  He wants to go on more dates and more one and one.  It has been hard because of the children and with Payson preferring to be home more than being watched away from home.  We did find a good sitter that will come to the home.

Leah is 31 and still at TLC ambulance.  I was recently released from sunday school and relief society.  I am church calling-less.  I am currently re-certifying my paramedic card.  It has been hard on the family because I have to go to day classes which means someone needs to be at the house for kids.  I enjoy working nights; therefore I can be home for the kids and no daycare.  I would like to hope it means that same to them.  Yes, it is hard on my marriage because, we don't get to see each other as much as we would like.  I also get flustered with the kids when I cannot figure out why Payson is screaming at the top of his lungs or why Brycen feels the need not to listen.  My fuse gets shorter when I have worked overnight and had a busy night.  I do miss being down South.  I thoroughly enjoy having my parents close by to help with the kids or to get together.  I do miss my family out west and wish financially I could visit them more or they could come back here more.  I would love to go back to school, but I have no idea which path I want to go.  

Unfortunately, this past Easter, we had to put to rest one of cats.  He (Squishie) was always finding Payson's pacifiers and chewing the nipples off and swallowing them.  March of 2012 he was lucky because the vet could do the surgery, but this time the ER vet was asking $2500 for the surgery and boarding.  We of course didn't have that kind of money.  They said we could bring him home and see if it passes but every time he tried to eat or drink he would throw up.  We knew he was suffering.  We said our good-byes to our sweet, energetic friend.  He was laid to rest in our backyard.  Every time we look out the kitchen window, we can see where he is.   

Now, we have another cat, Little Miss Princess (who lives up to her name).  She is a crazy girl.  We love her dearly.  Our other two cats aren't so sure about her because she won't leave them alone.  LOL!

This is our families favorite time of year.  We wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and happy 2014.  May the new year find you happy, healthy and bright. 

Thoughts and Things

So...we have had some interesting times at our place.  We have had a LOT of car work done; a cat at the vets for surgery; unexpected extra money for inspection.

So, when we moved our one car had a smell to it.  Go figure, the first real snow of the season, Mike puts this car in the ditch.  So, back to the story, we take the car to the dealership and had LOTS of work needed to be done.  So, that was a great way to start our new adventure in a new town.  Not to mention, that place messed it up and we had to take it to a local mechanic and get it fixed for more money.  HOLY COW. 

Then, we also had to take our cats to the vet for annual shots and the littlest one to get neutered.  That was all good and well.

Then, the car I drive needed to be inspected and I was thinking that because we sunk all this money into the one car that this will be all set.  Oh no, I needed to put brand new tires on the back end of the car in order for it to be cleared for the inspection.  What The Heck.

To top it all off...our littlest cat (10 months old) decided that Payson's pacifiers were yummy to eat.  He got one lodged in his small intestines and was unable to pass it by throwing up or pooping.  So, off to a local vet we went.  Big money later...he is resting comfortably and can come home after a one night stay. 

This had better be the end of BIG SPENDING.  I cannot stand it anymore.  Other than all that drama...

I am walking as much as I can with a friend.  As well as trying to eat well.  Mike is still busy.  Brycen loves school and is looking forward to the take your kids to work day (another blog to come)  Mike and I have an awesome post Easter surprise for Brycen...he loves WWE; they are coming to town in May...we have tickets for the 3 of us (friend is watching Payson) to go see them (another blog to come)...I hope he will enjoy it.  No he has no clue we did this because we would not hear the end of it til the event.  Payson is growing leaps and bounds.  He is eating cereal morning and night and adding a veggie at night.  He is cooing and laughing.  It is so fun being a mom and helping them grow into the men they will be.

Sorry for the rant but I just cannot wrap my head around all this stuff anymore.  LOL!