Saturday Seven No.12

1.  Spent the day being inspired by messages from our church.  Lots of good messages about family.  Love that!  It will be on again tomorrow, we will be watching at my parents.  You can watch by clicking here.

2.  The kids tried to listen.  Two bowls of candy with key words helped that.  They got to eat a piece each time they heard the key word.  Avery did a better job being a mama to all her animals than paying attention. At least she was quiet.

3.  Speaking of conference, it can be watched online,on BYU-TV, or you can watch it at church on satellite.  We don't normally get that channel, and we've tried watching online but it never works out with the kids.  So for this weekend only we upgrade our cable.  Then we call and cancel after this weekend.  It only costs a couple dollars.  And it is so fun to have BIG cable for a few days.  I am so lame!

4.  It's spring break this week for the kids.  Wish the weather forecast would look better this week.  I am beginning to really believe in seasonal affective disorder.

5.  I had the worst migraine Wednesday.  The kind where you can't even keep medicine down so it just seems impossible for you to feel better.  Lucky for me it was early out day and somehow I managed to get all the kids home before it got the best of me.  I then paid Gage 50 cents to babysit the other kids.  (Eli was taking a nap).  I took a nap.  I think  that was the best 50 cents I've ever spent.

5.  If you missed it on facebook, Noah got in trouble at preschool this week.  When I asked why he replied nonchalantly, "Licking my shoe."  When I asked him why he was licking his shoe, he looked at me straight faced and replied, "it tasted good."  Avery and Eli also try to lick the rain puddles at school.  Every single day.  What is up with my kids?

6.  I should start packing my house.  I think it every day.   Here, there or in between.... Either way it's got to be done.  yuck.  Anyone want to do it for me?

7.  Looking forward to Easter this week.  We like to celebrate with little activities every day.  The activities don't focus that much on the Easter bunny and eggs, (although there will be a little of that too) but more the true meaning of Easter.  I sat down and made my outline of activities today and am pretty excited. What a great time of year and what a wonderful holiday to celebrate.

Scouts & Pinewood Derby

Since Gage turned 8 at the beginning of the month he got to start going to Cub Scouts at our church's troop. (The boys in our church troop start at 8 and skip the Tigers Cub scouts).

The first night he went he was so excited!  Wade also works with the Boy Scouts at our church so Gage has been watching him go to scouts for almost 3 years now.  To say he was excited to finally get to go with Dad is an understatement.  Gage's first night Eli was a little excited too and kept wanting me to put the handkerchief on him too.  Eli cried and cried when Wade and Gage went out the door to scouts without him.

Gage has an awesome leader and he has really had a great time doing the little activities for the past month.

But the most exciting part to him, was that he would get to participate in the Pinewood Derby! 

In February when he started working on his science fair project, he decided he could even turn this into a little experiment.  "Does the placement of the weights affect the speed of my pinewood derby car?"

He worked hard with Wade on his car and his experiment.  And while he didn't win anything at the science fair this year. (he was bummed about that) he did learn a lot about his car.

Basically they checked out this awesome book from the library that taught them all kinds of tips and tricks.  And he learned that the weights in the back of the car make it the fastest.

Wade really tried to take a backseat and just show Gage how to do things on the car and not do it all himself.  Gage did a lot of the work himself and his car wasn't the fanciest or the coolest looking.  But he did it himself.

Tuesday this week, was the big final day!

The Pinewood Derby!

Our troop at church is pretty small (about 6 boys) and so they combined with another local community troop which pushed the total cars racing up to about 35!  We kept prepping him all week that he might not win anything since there would be so many boys.

We didn't have a digital scale at our house to weigh our car.  Wade thought he had put enough weights in it, but when we got there it was only 2 ounces and could weigh up to 5!

They quickly attached the rest of the weights we had to the top back of the car and it was off to the races.

Gage ran the car in first heat - and to our surprise - Gage won!

His little silver car was pretty fast!

His car is in the third lane in the picture below.

His car is in the second lane in the picture below.

He just kept winning and winning different heats!  It was so fun to watch his excitement.  During the semi-final round the judges were having to take pictures of the finish line because the cars were coming in so close!

In the semi-finals one car beat him out of the spot for finals and he didn't get to move on.  

We told him it was 5th place!

Which was SO awesome considering how many boys and cars were there racing!

It was such a fun night!  His little car did so great and he already has so many ideas for his car next year.  

We are so proud of our cub scout!

Sugar Babies

Eli has become quite the destructor at our house.  His favorite new pastime is to open any drawer, any cupboard, pull anything off any shelf, table, and get everything out.  Once he thrown every item he possibly can over his shoulder he moves on and finds another mess to conquer.  I think you could say, he has places to be and things to see.

Well, the other day I totally caught Eli in the sugar.  I forgot that I had a small bag of sugar from the store that I hadn't put away in a container yet.  Eli found it and in just a few minutes he was a sticky gooie mess. Giggling his head off!

I remembered to get a few pictures before I pried the bag out of his hands and cleaned up the mess.  

It doesn't seem like too long ago that I found Avery doing the exact same thing.

I sure love the sticky-gooie-sugar babies at my house.

I heart Lady A.

Last week a girlfriend invited me to go with her to the Lady Antebellum concert!  It was such a fun night.  The best part was that we got the tickets for free and we got to sit in a suite!

They had two opening acts, Thompson Square and Darius Rucker.  It was fun to hear all the old Hootie and the Blowfish songs.  

Lady A. put on a really great concert.  It was nice being in the suite (with our own bathroom and refreshments!)  And besides the real entertainment, we had the suite next to us, which was full of 30-something-year-old-women-gone-wild to watch.  We got some good laughs just watching them!

I think one of my favorite parts is when they pulled a 9  year old girl up on stage with them from the crowd.  She helped them sing American Honey.  She was so cute!  

(But I guess I am too old and too much of a mom because I kept wondering why a 9 year old girl was at the concert on a school night!)

It was such a fun night out.  Totally worth staying up so late and not being able to hear my kids the next day!

Sunday Photo.13

Just another ordinary Sunday around here.

-early morning dishes

-lego explosion on our table

-water colors

-reading the lesson for church

-memory match

-littles stayed home with me because of their boogs and coughs

-getting all dressed up and ready to go

-a few happy quiet minutes of reading this afternoon

-chicken spaghetti, strawberries, salad, french bread and yummy raspberry cake

-missionaries over for dinner and lesson

-kids in bed

-kids with coughs out of bed

-kids finally back in bed

-hanging out with Wade watching Once Upon A Time, Amazing Race and Worst Cooks in America.

-just another ordinary day.

Saturday Seven No. 11

1. Tuesday I went with some girlfriends to the Lady Antebellum concert. We stayed up way too late and had way too much fun. I'm waiting to check out the other girls pictures then I'll blog them. It was such a great night.

2. Haven't seen The Hunger Games yet. But trust me, We are very excited! Wade is on-call so we are waiting till next week to go together. I reread them all last week & he is finishing book 3 this weekend.  I saw this on Facebook.  Pretty funny.

3. My parents had all their slides converted to jpegs and DVDs. My grandparents had all passed away before I graduated high school.  My mom is the only person left in her family at all. So it's nice to introduce these people to my kids. Avery thinks all the baby pictures of my mom are herself. Noah looks like my brothers. And the clothes...I love looking at our crazy clothes!

4. Eli and Avery have the sniffles and coughs. Boo! But Avery had a small fever today without a seizure! And Eli had a fever earlier this week (his first one ever) and no seizure! Woo Hoo!

5. Found the kids a mega pack of Bendaroos at the store for $2. Hours of fun.  Awesomeness.

6. After Hunger Games I started to re-read The Host.  I though it was so-so the first time I read it, but I was  drugged up on pain killers and recovering from a surgery.  Anyone have any other book suggestions?  I tell myself every single day I should resurrect my book blog.  Then I do 7 loads of laundry, 2 loads of dishes, 3 meals, snacks, help with homework, reading, taxi everyone around and wonder when I would make the time.

7.   I got out a few Easter decorations this week.  And that lovely Easter grass.  It did entertain Eli and Avery for a long time.  But it was a pain to clean up.  I put some eggs on the table in a vase.  The boys have already taken over.  What do you think?  Of course there are Lego men in those eggs.

Mid-Week Ads

I look forward to the mid-week ads for one reason. And it's not because I coupon. I don't. It's not even that I plan my menu around them. Although I probably should.

It's because they offer hours of cutting, gluing, drawing and collaging.

Yep, love the ads.

Sunday Photo .12

My boys. Someplace is southern Idaho, in a snow storm, coming home.

And as much trouble as they cause me every Sunday over these pictures, I know they must love me. Because they took this one. And they are always cracking open the scrapbooks and blog books on Sunday morning to look through our memories.

Safe travels to my boys and Happy Sunday.

Saturday Seven No. 10

1.  It's been pretty quiet around here this week.  Just the littles and me quiet.  Wade had to drive to Utah this week, so he decided to take Noah and Gage with him!  They left early Wednesday morning.  It's been like a mini vacation with just two kids.  Now that is something I thought I would never say.

Avery has loved all the girl time she gets with mommy.  We've painted nails, danced to music, read lots of girly books and watched Tinkerbell every single day.  Today we took a special trip to the store to buy her "lipstick" (fancy chapstick)...so she can stop stealing mine.  Eli has decided that since no one else is here talking, he might as well.  He has so much to say! (car, baby, blankie, meow, woof, baa baa, choo choo, ball, and a lot more we can't understand)

I've totally enjoyed NOT doing laundry every single day...and running the dishwasher every other instead of twice daily.

But my birthday was Thursday and they missed it.  If I mentioned it was my birthday to Avery, she got jealous and told me it was HER pink birthday.  I spent the evening celebrating at a Relief Society dinner with some amazing women.  It really was great.  But I'm missing my big boys.  I'm ready for their return.

2.  Happy Saint Patrick's Day!  We are playing it pretty low-key around here, gold coins and some spinach-green pinwheels to go with our dinner tonight.

3.  Avery is totally into crafting lately.  Gluing, cutting, coloring, making colossal messes on the table.

4.  I've been re-reading the Hunger Game Trilogy this week.  Wade's been reading them too.  I have two down, one more to go and I have to finish it fast because Wade will be home tomorrow night and he needs Mockingjay too.

5.  Of course, my hot Doctor goes out of town and I wake up Friday to the worst pain in my right foot.  According to his highly-educated-over-the-phone diagnosis it is one of two things:  either a neuroma or I am getting old and my body is falling apart.  (HA! He will always be 4 years older, I don't let him forget.)  I have been ordered to wear my running shoes all the time, try some ibuprofen and take it easy.  He knows I never "take it easy" but thanks to # 4, it is pretty do-able.

6.  Eli thinks the little space under the kitchen bar is his own little home.  He giggles and stands there eating snacks, playing cars, or looking at books all the time.  He fits almost perfectly.

7.  A snuggly little Eli after his nap. He now wants to have his 2 blankets, pillow pet and this silly money go with him everywhere.

Inconclusive

We got the results back yesterday from Noah's EEG test.  Basically they were not good or bad, they were inconclusive.

Wade talked to the nurse, and then when he told me I tried to write down everything he relayed to me.  Hopefully I use the right words.  They found that while he was asleep the left hemisphere of his brain showed some abnormal results.  (There were peaks instead of circular.)  And also during the light strobe test he showed some increased sensitivity to seizures, about 10 % of the population has this sensitivity.

We got moved up to the "short" list for our neurologist appointment, so if anyone cancels we can get in sooner than May 1, either way, we still need to meet with our Dr.

We both think Noah is fine.  He did have a fever when he had his seizure.  He always has.  And he didn't have a seizure during the EEG.  As far as the sensitivity to strobe light test goes, I think Noah will be fine.  He plays video games all the time and never has problems.
(Did you know video games can cause seizures?  Wade was talking to some people about that this weekend and they were not aware games can do that, there are warning labels right on the box.)

Maybe we can get some more answers in May.
Right now we think he he has an inconclusively-abnormal-normal brain.  And he will be just fine :)

{Baptism}

Eight is GREAT!

In our church once a child is eight they can make the choice to be baptized.

So, Saturday was Gage's special big day!  

Gage was baptized and confirmed a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

We had a small program Saturday morning.  Wade's parents were even able to fly in from Utah just for the special weekend.

Gage and his Grandpas.

The Grandmas

Avery kept asking for a picture with Gage.  She was pretty excited about the morning.

Our little family.  I've decided, it is impossible to get a picture where we are all looking at the camera (and no one is making faces).

Our four little monkeys.

We set up a table of different pictures of Gage growing up.  The kids all had a good time looking at his baby pictures after the program.  The big plate of Costco cookies also helped the pictures become a main attraction too.

Gage had such a great day.  We were able to have a special program just for him that included almost all the family.  Noah said the opening prayer and Grandma Christiansen said the closing.  Gage chose the songs we sang that day, "I am a Child of God" for the opening song and "Scripture Power" for the closing.  His Grandma Bullard played the piano and I led the music.  Grandpa Christiansen gave a short talk about baptism.  And Grandpa Bullard gave a short talk about the gift of the Holy Ghost.  Gage had called his best friend Luca earlier that week and asked her if she would want to play a special musical number.  She played  and sang "I'm trying to be like Jesus" on the piano.  It was so good we asked her to do it two times!

Wade performed the baptism and the confirmation.  They looked so handsome!

During the baptism a lot of the kids moved to sit on the floor next to the font.  As soon as the baptism was over, Avery turned around and loudly declared to the crowd of people, "It's my turn next!"

After the baptism program we headed out for a celebration lunch at The Rock for Gage's request - pizza and burgers.  Wade took this really attractive picture of our group.  We did have a great time!

It was such a fantastic day.  It's hard to believe he is already 8!  He is growing up so fast.  Gage tries really hard to make good choices.  He is always striving to choose the right.  He is a great example to his brothers and sister.  We are so happy and proud of Gage!

It was a one amazing day - one we will never forget!

Sunday Photo .11

We had a popcorn party watching Veggie Tales tonight while we stayed up past bedtime.

Grandma and Grandpa Christiansen are here this weekend.  It's always fun when the Christiansens come. But every time they visit it rains and pours the entire time.  I'm pretty sure they don't believe us it's a beautiful place to live.

Tonight at bedtime Grandma Betty said "good night Angel" to Avery. Who looked at her confused and replied, "Why did you call me an angel Grandma? I am not an angel!"
Got that right!

Dinner tonight consisted of salmon, asparagus, potato salad, spinach salad, butter rolls and brownie bites for dessert.  Talk about stuffing ourselves silly.  Noah kept saying that salmon is his second favorite food.  He says chickie legs are his first favorite.

Wade has a job interview this week.  Wish him luck (or not if you don't want us to move).  I'll be so relieved and happy when this whole process is over.

Saturday Seven No. 9

Sunday night we got Wade came home from Texas.  Then he got to stay up half the night with Noah.

Monday Noah had his test.  The office called yesterday and said the results were in, they said a nurse will call me on Monday with them.  I'm thinking this is good.  If it were bad news, we would have to come in.

After Noah's EEG test he got to pick a prize.  He decided to pick this black bear for his sister.  It's been well loved and taken care of this week by her.

A trip to the bank means suckers all around.  Avery learned a hard lesson.  She was waving her sucker around like a magic wand, and Eli seized he opportunity.  He grabbed it and ate both!

We had some really nice weather and spent a fun afternoon at the park Thursday.  IT was all fun and games until Gage decided to play hide and seek and took his sister down the street.  After a few panic minutes of not knowing where they went, I found them, and everyone had to come home.

For family night this week we turned off the lights and the kids danced around with their glow stick flashlights.  Yeah, we have awesome family nights.

And last but certainly not least...Today Gage was baptized!

He deserves his own post for this one!

Happy Day!

EEG

Mr. Noah's been feeling more like himself lately.  He still gets pretty wiped out by the end of the day...but honestly, he never slows down!  Today was the first day in a week that he woke up saying he felt good enough to go back to school.  He had a good time with is friends.  

Monday Noah had his EEG test.  For this test they told us we would have to keep him up until midnight and then wake him up at 4 am.  His test was at 10 am, and he would need to stay awake until then.

Luckily we all already had to stay up a little late to go get Wade from the airport so that gave us something to do for a couple of the hours.  Then Noah, Wade and our friend Doug played video games for a while.  After Doug went home Wade and Noah watched a little Veggie Tales.  I think Wade got the easy end  of the deal.  I had the 4 am shift.

My sister Kathy suggested taking him to the store, or a 24 hour restaurant.  What a great idea!  Noah loves Dennys!  Even with his huge love for pancakes and sausage it was still hard getting him up and and out of the house.  I bribed him by telling him we could ride in Daddy's car and he could roll down the windows!  Poor Noah ordered his favorite meal, but even then was so tired that he could only eat half of it.  He wanted to play games on the kids new ipod (aka Wade's old phone) but I had forgot to charge it and the battery died mid-angry-birds-game.

Somehow I maanged to keep him awake through breakfast and we got home around 5:15.  He played a little Lego Star Wars and then everyone else woke up around our usual 6am.

When I first told Noah we were going to go have a little test done, he thought it meant that they were going to cut his brain open.  Poor guy.  We tried to help him understand it was just a bunch of stickers.  I didn't really know many details about an EEG test,  and Wade didn't know much either. But I do think it helped Noah feel a lot better that Wade was home and able to come with us.  

Wade got him smiling when he took a couple pictures.

Noah did really well during the test.  He followed all the instructions and stayed awake when he needed too, and fell asleep when he needed too.  

First she asked him a couple easy questions, his name, age, facts about his family.  Then he had to look different ways with only his eyes.  They did a light test were they lowered this arm down close to his face and she had him close his eyes.  Then a series of lights would flash.  He had to have his eyes closed during this, but he couldn't fall asleep.  That was a pretty hard task.  In between each series of lights there would be a 10 second pause.  The light test lasted about 3-5 minutes.  The last thing Noah had to do before he could fall asleep was blow on a pinwheel for 3 minutes  This frustrated him the most because he had do do it with his eyes closed.  He was just so tired!

Finally the tech told him he could take a nap.  She turned on some music and turned off the lights.  Wade and I might have taken a little nap too.  It was hard staying awake in the dark with the music listening to Noah snore.

For the very last part of the test we had to wake Noah up.  He was pretty groggy, but happy he could have a snack and a prize.  He picked out a stuffed animal bear and said that he was going to give it to Avery since she loves bears so much.  He was pretty cute giving her the bear.  On the way home we took him to Sonic for slushy.  What more could Noah want?

To answer everyone's question, the tech said we won't know any of the results until our follow up with the neurologist (which is in May!) or we can call in a week.  Dr. Christiansen will be calling next week for some results.

Wade and I both don't think they are going to find anything abnormal from this test.  But we both agreed it was probably time we do one just to make sure that fevers are the true cause.