Flu Shot

Okay, so last year we didn't get the flu shot and I swear my kids and I were sick all winter long. Every year before that we have. So this year we decided to get them and compare it to last year and see if it helps. Our insurance only covers the flu shot for kids under 2 so Gerrit was free. The rest of us paid. It cost us $105 for us to the get flu shot so it is quite an expensive experiment on my part. I realize the flu shot only protects against certain strains of influenza, but still....I just want to see. I don't believe in using oils to make you feel better, but my moms does. To me it is like witch doctor stuff...and I personally think it is a bunch of bologna. However, my mom swears it works for her. I really think if you "believe" something will work it actually will. Even if you rub peppermint oil on your tummy for a stomach ache or lavendar oil on your foot for a headache. So I am really believing that by us getting the flu shot it will reduce the sickness in my family this winter. I guess we will see what happens.

Some Fun Moments

Gerrit's new favorite thing is the broom and the dust pan. I put it back and he drags it out about 50 million times a day. It drives me crazy. But he actually tries to sweep and clean even though the broom is twice the size of his cute little body. When I take it away he throws a huge tantrum. He is a little red-headed spit fire. The other day I had to bribe the kids with a bubble bath because they didn't want to come in the house and get in the tub. I ran the water and then went and got their towels. When I came back in the bathroom they were all in the tub with bubbles on their faces pretending to be Santa.

Gerrit Has Another Ear Infection

On Thursday I finally took Gerrit into the doctor. He hasn't been sleeping and has cried a lot. However, his asthma flared up so I was hoping that that was the problem, but once I got it under control, Gerrit was still miserable. So I took him in and sure enough he had another ear infection just 4 weeks later from his last one. The doctor thinks that the fluid behind his ears isn't draining. I have to take him back in 4 weeks for him to be checked. If the fluid is still there he said that Gerrit will probably have to have tubes. I am keeping my fingers crossed that it is just a coincidence and the fluid will be gone. However, my luck does not happen that way.

Kaymin Turns 9

Last Sunday Kaymin turned 9. I can't believe how fast she is growing. For her birthday she wanted strawberry pie, homemade chocolate ice cream and to go to Hollywood Connection. So after soccer on Saturday, we headed down there. This time it was just our family, no friends. It was so much fun. Her and Deilen were ride buddies and had fun running from ride to ride. Kameni was content to just stay on the bumper cars or the carousel. We had dinner in the cafe and even miniature golfed and roller skated. Kaymin did great roller skating as did Kameni. However, Deilen ended up crawling around the rink and wouldn't even try standing on his skates. Gerrit had fun watching his older siblings and enjoyed being his busy self. Then after school on Thursday, Blake's mom took Kaymin shopping and out for dinner for her birthday. She picked out this outfit and it is SO cute. Kaymin loves it and has always wanted an outfit with a skirt and leggings. She's pretty spoiled.

I am Finished

Today I finished the Book of Mormon. At girls camp in June the girls were given the challenge to read the Book of Mormon in 60 days, the same amount of time it took Joseph Smith to translate it. I am the Laurel Advisor and every Sunday I would put in a plug about getting their Book of Mormons read. A month ago one of the Bishopric members came in to Young Women's and asked who was taking on the challenge. Then he looked at the leaders and said it went for us too. Oh boy, was I in trouble. I thought..how in the world can I preach to the girls that they should read it if I am not. So I hoped on the bandwagon and read like a crazy lady. They have extended the time to this Sunday, but I officially finished it today. I swear...I have been reading about an hour a day, but I have been able to read it in 1 month...which to me is very impressive. Did I enjoy it? Absolutely NOT! I read so much so fast that I don't think I learned a darn thing...but I guess I did it, right? Now I can finally feel normal again and get back to cleaning my house again.

Moles No More

I am the moliest (I know that isn't even a word) that I know. I have moles...EVERYWHERE! In fact my last primary care physician said I have A-Typical Mole Disease. At least now I know there is a name for having polka dots. Yesterday I went and saw a Dermatologist. I have had 4 moles removed so far, two on my leg, one HUGE one on my back (1 1/2" in diameter and 1 1/2" deep with two layers of stitches), and one in a place I would rather not say. I will tell you my OBGYN found it when I went in for a laproscopy. Anyway, I have this mole on my hand that recently began to raise and itch. It would really bug me so I thought it was about time to go in and get it checked out. I also have what the doctor referred to as my Mormon horns on top of my head. Well I went in and I had to have three shots, one in the hand and two in the head (yeah it hurt). On my hand he had to stitch it up where he cut it out, but on my head he took a razor and cut them off. While he was at it, he took off a lot of hair. It really wasn't too much compared to how much hair others have, but for me and my fine, thin, pathetic hair...it was a lot. I am so glad to have them gone. Now I won't have to make sure my hair covers my "horns".

3rd Set of Tubes

Today Kameni went in for her 3rd set of tubes. She had to be there at 6:15am and surgery was at 7am. She was so cute this morning..happy as could be. The very serious and all business anesthesiologist came in to give me the run down and he looked at Kameni and said, "I'll be back to get you." She just smiled and said, "Okey, Dokey!" Even he had to laugh. They gave her a little teddy bear and she has carried it all around today. When she came out of recovery the called me back in and she began screaming uncontrollably. She was thrashing and yelling that she was dizzy and wanted to go home. Since she was only knocked out with gas and not an IV, they recover a lot quicker and we were able to be released a lot sooner. In fact I was back in the van driving home at 7:47am...that is pretty amazing. We have been through enough surgeries in this house to know to plan on at least 3-4 hours, but not today. It was wonderful. She has been running around telling everyone she can hear. She only had 20% hearing because of all of the fluid. I am so excited to not have to yell at her to get her to hear me. As of today there wasn't any infection, but he said that may not have been the case if we hadn't gotten them today. I am just so glad they are over.