So Dan has been out of work for 8 months now. It hasn't been too bad really, between his severance pay, then tax return money, unemployment benefits and then our side business things really went along quite smoothly. It was just recently that we started to drain our accounts faster than we could keep up. Now the panic is on.
The unemployment benefits ended in June. Our side business slowed down, the busy season was in the spring and that has slowed quite a bit. Then it seemed like everything happened at once. Michael broke his arm, of course the x ray has to rob you blind! Not to mention the doctor's office! Then one day we were driving in the van and the belt just busted. I thought I had ran over something from the noise it made! Well, I knew we didn't have the money at the time so I just parked the van under the carport and started driving the car. Then like a week later the car started making a horrible noise, it was the breaks and the rotors. UGH! So we had to get them both fixed, and we struggled to even pay the bills in July. We still haven't paid the phone bill because it was quite high because of Dan's overages from his new job.
Anyway, to cut that long story short: we were running out of money. Now we are down to about half of what we need each month to make ends meet. I start next week driving truck on a farm in order to make it a little easier.
Dan started work for a start-up company called ZipSmart. It is really a sweet set up, it just is taking time to get a paycheck because it is a start-up. Check it out if you want it is www.zipsmart.com They are an advertising company. I keep hoping that the money will start coming in soon so we don't lose our house or something. Luckily we weren't in debt too bad, we just need to get back on the employed side of the fence.
It will really be a nice set-up for us once it gets going. I just have to borrow off of Dan's faith in order to get us there. I hope I can make it too.
Monday, July 26, 2010
Monday, June 28, 2010
Annie Jr. 6/24, 6/25, 6/26
Our sweet Katie had the wonderful opportunity to play the part of Annie in the production that was put on by the Franklin County Theater Arts council in June at the Worm Creek Theater. She was the perfect Annie! She worked so hard! She had most of the lines memorized before we even met for the first rehearsal! She practiced hours and hours beyond what the rehearsal schedule was in order to make it great! She carried the show really well! We were so proud of her! Thanks to Anna Beth Olsen and Karla Gunderson the directors and to the cast, who made it all so much fun! Here are some of the memories!
This was the day we got her wig. We looked all over the valley and finally found this place in North Logan called Fantasy Land. They were awesome and when we got home she put on her red dress to see the whole effect. We ordered the red dress from a lady who custom makes them on ebay. She did a great job!
Katie, Brie, Natalya, Oakley, A bunch of best friend orphans!
The cutest Bert Healey in the world was played by my sweet awesome Cordell! He did such a great job! He said his lines so charming-like, and was very clever in his acting and timing! He is cool. I wish they would have had him sing because he sings so well, but in the Annie Jr. version, Bert doesn't sing.
Annie and Molly at the Orphanage!
"Tomorrow"! with Sandy the dog! Click on this link to http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=1030449146
check out my facebook page to watch a video clip of this song.
Miss Hanigan
Grace comes to the orphanage
Arriving at the mansion with Drake(a stand in) and one of the maids
"I think I'm gonna like it here"
Grandma Judy Mitchell made this dress for the mansion scene and the NYC scene! Thanks Gram!
At the end of the song I was a little too slow snapping this one and they started talking to Katie and she dropped the smile. This one was at rehearsal.
Anna Beth Olsen the director standing in as Rooster at a rehearsal he missed. It was quite funny, the kids sure got a kick out of it!
Annie following Mr. Warbucks as he paces.
The search for Annie's parents begin, she is very happy about it, he is not.
"Together At Last" Choreographed by me.
Rehearsal, The Cast....................Bert Healey is over on the right in front of the boy with the dark suit coat and the girl in the pink dress.
See him now!
Grace, Annie, Warbucks and Sandy
Shiloah, Katie, Andrew, and Benjamin.
What a fun show this was! The next one the theater is doing is Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Katie tried out for the children's choir. She is excited!wormcreek.blogspot.com
Katie, Brie, Natalya, Oakley, A bunch of best friend orphans!
Annie and Molly at the Orphanage!
check out my facebook page to watch a video clip of this song.
Miss Hanigan
Grace comes to the orphanage
Arriving at the mansion with Drake(a stand in) and one of the maids
"I think I'm gonna like it here"Grandma Judy Mitchell made this dress for the mansion scene and the NYC scene! Thanks Gram!
At the end of the song I was a little too slow snapping this one and they started talking to Katie and she dropped the smile. This one was at rehearsal.
Annie following Mr. Warbucks as he paces.
"Together At Last" Choreographed by me.
Grace, Annie, Warbucks and Sandy
Shiloah, Katie, Andrew, and Benjamin.
What a fun show this was! The next one the theater is doing is Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Katie tried out for the children's choir. She is excited!wormcreek.blogspot.com
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
My Baby Boy just turned 7!!!!
As I tried to get these pictures together for this blog I got caught up in looking through a lot of different pictures and crying. I can't believe all the time that has past and I feel like in some ways I missed Cordell growing because of all the other things that were happening in my life.
7 1/2 years ago I never thought I would ever live to see this day. Having Cordell in side of me gave me the strength to keep on going when all the odds were against me. I felt his strentgh and have felt it ever since. He has an amazing spirit and is such an impact on our family!
7 years ago, I gave birth to my first baby boy, I didn't know what I was going to do with him. I had plenty of boy nephews that I took care of, but this was different. He soon found a huge place in our hearts and our home!
Cordell has always been a leader in our house! He is strong and very smart. When he and Katie were little I once found them marching in a circle as Katie sang (to the tune of Follow the Prophet) "Follow the Cordy, follow the Cordy....." It was very cute, but I knew then that he would be a leader in our family. He sets the example for the rest of the kids and I know the boys want to be just like him! He is in 1st grade now, and doing well. He loves to goof around and have fun, but is so tender hearted too!
Winter '04, 2years old
Summer '05 2 yrs old 3rd birthday party 2005 
Christmas 2005, 3yrs old
Christmas 2005, 3yrs old
summer 06, 3 years oldHalloween 2006, 4 years old
This was at Liberty park, we told him to just hold on so we could get his picture and he immediatly started crying. It was a long day. After swimming finished this year, Cordell fell from the tramp and broke his arm. He was so brave. He didn't even cry cuz of the arm, he just cried cuz he was afraid the Dr. was going to cut it or give him a shot. This was just before he turned 4 years old.
Bear Lake 2008
First day of Kindergarten, 2008. Michael was going to Preschool, so they bused together.
Fall of 2008......Cordell wanted to choose what he ate for his birthday, so breakfast was Cocoa Puffs, Poached eggs on toast and apple juice. Lunch was a chicken sandwich and dinner was Top Ramen soup, don't ask me why, but he LOVES it!
We didn't have the money this year to do a huge party like we did last year, but he was a good sport about it. We decided to let him invite a few friends over to play and have cake and icecream and do presents.Happy 7th birthday buddy! I love you!
Monday, August 3, 2009
Strange Family get together
So I have been sitting here thinking that my family must be the weirdest family in the world. Our parents never taught us to have relationships with each other, or to communicate. It has often bothered me as I have grown up how I am the youngest of 10 kids and don't really have a relationship with any of them. It really really puzzles me. I have a handful, that I get a long with, and talk with, but I wouldn't exactly call it a relationship.
What is it that causes everyone to act so strange? My brother Dan claims that we were beaten as children and that is why he does not like big families or ours. I don't know about that. As I was the youngest, maybe my knowledge of that was sheilded a little bit. Some say that Dad used to stand us in a line and slap each one of us. I don't remember that. Maybe that is why the older siblings hate me so much. Maybe they hold a grudge to me that I didn't experience the same things they did. I know it was a lot easier on me than them, Dad did have a temper that seemed to calm over the years, I remember certain things, but choose not to have that be a constant memory...
So the thing that is bugging me that has been on my mind constantly this week is how my family just does not communicate. So everyone was planning on coming home to my mom's for the rodeo weekend, but no one could communicate to anyone except my mom. So everyone is always calling mom and asking about everyone else, and my mom withholds information to try and please everyone, but sometimes goes over board. It is almost like she doesn't want anyone in the family to be friends with each other, only with her.
There are siblings that don't have any contact, like Ruth who has been "hiding" from the family for the past 10 years, Mary who I never knew, she moved away when I was 2 and I have never spoken with her in 31 years. Danny who is anti-mormon so he stays away from home and mocks everyone and everything they believe in. But the others I always thought I could have a relationship with, but not so sure any more. Mike has never really had a conversation with me. I look up to him more than he would ever come to know, because he doesn't ever get close enough that I would ever tell. Liz used to be close to me, but over the past few years has just become weird. She doesnt talk to me, she doesnt want to do anything with me. She goes out of her way to make my sisters in law her best friends, but never ever shows any interest in a relationship with me. I always thought she was my best friend. She was the one that tended me, that I went to, that I relied on. But I don't see her ever being my friend again. I cant take the dishonesty and the gossip behind my back. I cant help but notice what a big deal she makes out of Denice and Irene and how everyone else is not good enough. I get a long with Becky and Julie, I wish I had more time to just build relationships with them, although I do tend to think sometimes that if I did get closer to them, if they knew me at all then they would be more likely to cut me off like the others have. I used to be best friends with Rachel, but when I went on my mission she left and never wrote and when I came back she was living in Texas and wouldnt talk to me. It has been a long time, and now at least we are talking again. The thing I treasure about her is that she has never been mean to me, and as far as I know she hasnt ever talked about me behind my back. And I have never had a relationship with Sam. He was a lot nicer this time, I think it was the first time that he visited that he hadn't called me a fat ass or a fat lard or a stupid shit or many other uplifting things. I wondered if my mom had said something to him.
Well, the weekend was not good. Liz showed up first, my mom didnt even tell me she was coming. They showed up on my doorstep, like a courtesy call, almost like that is all you get, so enjoy the 5 minutes that we are sitting here talking to you. Dan and I had planned Saturday at Bear Lake 2 weeks ago, but my mom didn't bother telling them. So Liz had other plans. I was surprised that my mom just sat there and acted like she didn't know anything that was going on. My nephew DJ who I have always felt close to greeted me with"what are you doing here Ugly?" It shocked me. Mike hugged me half way when he saw me, but Irene hardly looked up from her computer. Valerie and Britany were excited to see me so that was nice. Liz took my kids to the sidewalk sales, but didn't invite me, and then didnt let them get anything, even though I had sent money with them. I didnt get a chance to talk with Becky much, she seems to be the most normal along with Julie as far as staying clear of the BS that goes on.
Sam and Denise of course didnt greet me, neither did Adam, DJ or Katie. Although we invited everyone over on Friday to do slip and slide at our house on the hill, and that was the first time I saw them, they didnt say anything. The whole family came over, and not a single person said thanks, or it was fun or anything. THey hardly would even have a conversation with me.
Living here in town is hard too . My mom and dad complain about us behind our backs to the other siblings, but then when I hear about it and confront them about it they call me stupid or irrational. I am so tired of it right now!
So long story short, I didnt even get a chance to visit with anyone, everyone was rude. They all went to RIverdale instead of coming to BEar Lake with us. They all went to the carnival together and didn't invite us, when I showed up to "visit" they were all gone. They all acted like we were a huge bother to them and that when we were there we were in the way. A lot of them kept yelling at the kids and acting like they were so obnoxious.
Julie was mad at me cuz Dan had his sister in town too. I felt like I was split. Julie had her friend with her too, so I didnt get to do my anual Friday night date to the carnival with her. Oh well. It is all such a sob story. But it has got me thinking.
I must be some sort of a freak! I don't think there is a single person in the world that I could say I have made a positive impact on. And I am feeling like if I were wiped off the face of the earth right now, the wind would blow a little, and someone might shiver for a second and then life would go on and no one would even notice.
It has made me come to hate....to hate my family, to hate my siblings, to hate my siblings in law, and to hate my parents. I hate the way we all fail to interact. I hate the way there is always a huge elephant in the room because they gossip so much! I hate the way there is no one left out of all 10 of us that I can tell it to, I hate my dad's belittling attitude to me and my kids when everyone is around. He becomes a different person, it makes me want to NOT know them. It is like his familiarity gives him license to be rude and belittling.
This is all pointless and just complaining, but I needed a vent.
I just need a communications class for my family!
If I ever even tried to tell them how they make me feel they would just call me names and tell me I was stupid. So I won't. I am tired of this feeling though, it seems like it gets like this and I have to wait for it to wear off, only thing is that the more I feel this way, the longer it takes to get past it. I wish a lot of times that we could move away from here. I dont blame Ruth sometimes, for not wanting contact. Why would I want to subject myself to that? What a horrible weekend. It was very fun to see everyone, and we had more people together than we have had in a long time, but it was not a nice visit. It was just a huge reminder that all around me in my life I am surrounded by these people that I admire, that couldn't give a care whether I was dead or alive.
What is wrong with me?
What is it that causes everyone to act so strange? My brother Dan claims that we were beaten as children and that is why he does not like big families or ours. I don't know about that. As I was the youngest, maybe my knowledge of that was sheilded a little bit. Some say that Dad used to stand us in a line and slap each one of us. I don't remember that. Maybe that is why the older siblings hate me so much. Maybe they hold a grudge to me that I didn't experience the same things they did. I know it was a lot easier on me than them, Dad did have a temper that seemed to calm over the years, I remember certain things, but choose not to have that be a constant memory...
So the thing that is bugging me that has been on my mind constantly this week is how my family just does not communicate. So everyone was planning on coming home to my mom's for the rodeo weekend, but no one could communicate to anyone except my mom. So everyone is always calling mom and asking about everyone else, and my mom withholds information to try and please everyone, but sometimes goes over board. It is almost like she doesn't want anyone in the family to be friends with each other, only with her.
There are siblings that don't have any contact, like Ruth who has been "hiding" from the family for the past 10 years, Mary who I never knew, she moved away when I was 2 and I have never spoken with her in 31 years. Danny who is anti-mormon so he stays away from home and mocks everyone and everything they believe in. But the others I always thought I could have a relationship with, but not so sure any more. Mike has never really had a conversation with me. I look up to him more than he would ever come to know, because he doesn't ever get close enough that I would ever tell. Liz used to be close to me, but over the past few years has just become weird. She doesnt talk to me, she doesnt want to do anything with me. She goes out of her way to make my sisters in law her best friends, but never ever shows any interest in a relationship with me. I always thought she was my best friend. She was the one that tended me, that I went to, that I relied on. But I don't see her ever being my friend again. I cant take the dishonesty and the gossip behind my back. I cant help but notice what a big deal she makes out of Denice and Irene and how everyone else is not good enough. I get a long with Becky and Julie, I wish I had more time to just build relationships with them, although I do tend to think sometimes that if I did get closer to them, if they knew me at all then they would be more likely to cut me off like the others have. I used to be best friends with Rachel, but when I went on my mission she left and never wrote and when I came back she was living in Texas and wouldnt talk to me. It has been a long time, and now at least we are talking again. The thing I treasure about her is that she has never been mean to me, and as far as I know she hasnt ever talked about me behind my back. And I have never had a relationship with Sam. He was a lot nicer this time, I think it was the first time that he visited that he hadn't called me a fat ass or a fat lard or a stupid shit or many other uplifting things. I wondered if my mom had said something to him.
Well, the weekend was not good. Liz showed up first, my mom didnt even tell me she was coming. They showed up on my doorstep, like a courtesy call, almost like that is all you get, so enjoy the 5 minutes that we are sitting here talking to you. Dan and I had planned Saturday at Bear Lake 2 weeks ago, but my mom didn't bother telling them. So Liz had other plans. I was surprised that my mom just sat there and acted like she didn't know anything that was going on. My nephew DJ who I have always felt close to greeted me with"what are you doing here Ugly?" It shocked me. Mike hugged me half way when he saw me, but Irene hardly looked up from her computer. Valerie and Britany were excited to see me so that was nice. Liz took my kids to the sidewalk sales, but didn't invite me, and then didnt let them get anything, even though I had sent money with them. I didnt get a chance to talk with Becky much, she seems to be the most normal along with Julie as far as staying clear of the BS that goes on.
Sam and Denise of course didnt greet me, neither did Adam, DJ or Katie. Although we invited everyone over on Friday to do slip and slide at our house on the hill, and that was the first time I saw them, they didnt say anything. The whole family came over, and not a single person said thanks, or it was fun or anything. THey hardly would even have a conversation with me.
Living here in town is hard too . My mom and dad complain about us behind our backs to the other siblings, but then when I hear about it and confront them about it they call me stupid or irrational. I am so tired of it right now!
So long story short, I didnt even get a chance to visit with anyone, everyone was rude. They all went to RIverdale instead of coming to BEar Lake with us. They all went to the carnival together and didn't invite us, when I showed up to "visit" they were all gone. They all acted like we were a huge bother to them and that when we were there we were in the way. A lot of them kept yelling at the kids and acting like they were so obnoxious.
Julie was mad at me cuz Dan had his sister in town too. I felt like I was split. Julie had her friend with her too, so I didnt get to do my anual Friday night date to the carnival with her. Oh well. It is all such a sob story. But it has got me thinking.
I must be some sort of a freak! I don't think there is a single person in the world that I could say I have made a positive impact on. And I am feeling like if I were wiped off the face of the earth right now, the wind would blow a little, and someone might shiver for a second and then life would go on and no one would even notice.
It has made me come to hate....to hate my family, to hate my siblings, to hate my siblings in law, and to hate my parents. I hate the way we all fail to interact. I hate the way there is always a huge elephant in the room because they gossip so much! I hate the way there is no one left out of all 10 of us that I can tell it to, I hate my dad's belittling attitude to me and my kids when everyone is around. He becomes a different person, it makes me want to NOT know them. It is like his familiarity gives him license to be rude and belittling.
This is all pointless and just complaining, but I needed a vent.
I just need a communications class for my family!
If I ever even tried to tell them how they make me feel they would just call me names and tell me I was stupid. So I won't. I am tired of this feeling though, it seems like it gets like this and I have to wait for it to wear off, only thing is that the more I feel this way, the longer it takes to get past it. I wish a lot of times that we could move away from here. I dont blame Ruth sometimes, for not wanting contact. Why would I want to subject myself to that? What a horrible weekend. It was very fun to see everyone, and we had more people together than we have had in a long time, but it was not a nice visit. It was just a huge reminder that all around me in my life I am surrounded by these people that I admire, that couldn't give a care whether I was dead or alive.
What is wrong with me?
Monday, June 15, 2009
Michael Turns 4!
“Happy burpday to me, happy burpday to me,” is the song Michael has been singing all week. Last year I don’t think he quite understood what was happening, how he was 2 one day and 3 the next, he kept arguing his age, I finally had to say, "Ok, but when you blow out the candles, you will be 3 ok?"(Last year he wouldn't say he was 3 until he blew the candles out!)
but this year, he knew his birthday date and he was counting down the days, he understood that he was 3 and would be 4. I think he also understood that his party was Saturday and he turned 4 on Sunday. He was very funny about it.
He pronounces birthday “burpday” so we started teasing him that it was our “Burp” day and that was the day you could burp. He has been trying to teach me how to burp on command. It is really funny. The kids sure can come up with some good description on how to do it. But he just says, "Mom, watch this, (then burps) now you do that!"
He pronounces birthday “burpday” so we started teasing him that it was our “Burp” day and that was the day you could burp. He has been trying to teach me how to burp on command. It is really funny. The kids sure can come up with some good description on how to do it. But he just says, "Mom, watch this, (then burps) now you do that!"
What a great spirit that was brought to us when Michael was born 4 years ago! He has been such a happy person his whole life! He started to smile and have fun with us just at a few days old and he has been such a fun person ever since!
We had a great day on Saturday in celebration for his Sunday birthday! We were down in Utah, so we decided to take him to Chuck E Cheese for his birthday party!
What a great day! They had a lunch box full of tickets and balloons, they had 20 tokens for each kid, and 20 extra, and then when we ordered a pizza they gave us almost 200 more tokens! Holy cow! We played and played, each kid was able to get enough tickets to turn them in for something fun! Plus we had a little goody bag for each kid. They had so much fun! I think Cordell was as excited about the presents as Mike was!
Chuck E Cheese came out with our host and did a birthday dance with all of us. They gave Mike a medal around his neck he was very excited for that! It was just perfect! We had chocolate cake just like Mike wanted and Chocolate icecream served with a clown scoop that we have that sings "Happy Birthday to you!" when you tip it upside down!
I think Mike had a great time!
I can't believe that he was born 4 years ago! He has certainly been my little buddy! He is so loving and loves to snuggle! He usually takes really good care of me and I get lots of kisses and hugs!
He learned how to pedal a bike at the end of the year last year, so this spring Dan bought him a bike, he loves it, although he has already left it out to be ran over once, we were able to repair it, and he already had the police called by a rude neighbor for riding in the road.
He has been taking tumbling at Dance Dynamics and has enjoyed it. He was excited at the review to receive a medal.
He is a super brother and takes really good care of Luke. He plays with him a lot and they are really good buddies because he is so good with him.
This past winter was the first time he participated fully in sledding, inthe years past he would go down once or twice with me and then want to go in. This year he has changed so very much!
This past winter was the first time he participated fully in sledding, inthe years past he would go down once or twice with me and then want to go in. This year he has changed so very much!
He has been attending speech therapy at the Pioneer and he has made a huge improvement with how well and how much he talks. He started to tell stories, and explain things to us, which is really fun to listen to.
He would ride the Kindergarten bus to school twice a week this past year and attend the preschool over at the Pioneer. He seemed to love it. His best friends are Rykan and Jacobie Dursteller, which Ryken is his age, but he always includes Jacobie as well. I am glad he has nice friends to grow up with!
He likes to go to work with Dan, he loves the Lizard, I was surprised that he held it, but he seems to be growing out of his fears. Which is good! It is fun to see him playing imagination with the kids, and see him participating in sports and things in the yard! He is growing up so much! It seems like just yesterday, he was my baby, that snuggled and relied on me.
How fast the time goes by!
He got some star wars guys for his birthday, he loves them! I think he loves to be like Cordell! But he also plays a lot by himself! He is excited for swimming lessons which last year he cried every day. So I hope it goes well.
I love seeing him develop and grow and figure things out. I can't believe the changes he has already made. And soon he won't want to hug and kiss me any more! But I sure love him! I will take all I can while I can get it!
He is an angel! I love when he teases and is goofy, the fun thing is that he is getting smart enough now that he can actually come up with fun ways to tease us! It is great!
Michael, it is almost like I can't remember what life was like with out you, and I love what life is with you! You are so smart and so sweet and tender hearted! I love to watch your muscles grow when you eat chicken nuggets and I love to hear you sing! I think you are amazing! I am so thankful that you are part of our family and I hope this next year is a great one for you!
I love you buddy! So very much! Happy Burpday!
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