Dental Miracle

OK, I will update. I truth is that nothing really significant is going on in my life.

This picture doesn't have anything to do with the dentist but I snapped it the other day. I heard this little voice calling for help. It was just Mia stuck in the doll playpen. Really no surprise to me!

It is still cold and there is still snow on the ground. I am counting down the days until we go back to St. George, 2 weeks today!!! ANYWAY- Tess and Mia had their 6 month dental visit on Thursday. It was actually Mia's first "official" dentist visit. I had taken her and let her sit in the chair on one of Tess' many visits. (I don't feel at this point I need to revisit the whole dental situation with Tess.) I had actually called the dentist office before it was even time for the six month appointment because I noticed another spot on Tess' tooth, SURPRISE!!! They told me we weren't up for our six month check up yet but to wait a month so the insurance would pay 100%. So we waited and finally went yesterday. I feel like I need to insert a video of me brushing/flossing/maintaining Tess' teeth so that people will know how diligent I am about her teeth hygiene and care but I don't take video footage of myself and the 30 minute routine. Let's just say that if I took as good of my own teeth as I do Tess' you wold have to wear sunglasses when you talk to me because my teeth would glow! So back to the visit, as usual Tess had her 3 cavity diagnosis. On to Mia... she is exactly the same age as Tess when I found out the "news" about her teeth. Mia jumps up in the chair holds perfectly still and they take x-rays; she lets Dr. Moffat look in her mouth and BINGO... not even a stain or imperfection. Dr. Moffat finally says something that doesn't make me feel like I am the worst parent, "her teeth are as solid as a rock!" This is after two years of him thinking I was lieing about what I did and didn't do with my kids and their teeth. LOVE IT! The good news for Tess in now we get to add one more thing to our teeth cleaning routine, prescription toothpaste. It only cost $10.00 a tube and it is half the size of a normal tube of toothpaste. It has high levels of fluoride in it and you can only use it once a day. They have to be old enough that they can't swallow it and that is the only reason we haven't been on it before now. On the way home from Park City I told Tess I wanted her to be a dentist when she grows up so she can work on her own kids teeth!!! I think I will start putting more money into her college savings account now!

Thank You Chelsea

As many of you have probably noticed my blog has been under construction for over a week. I wanted my blog to look fresh and updated and I was trying a couple of things, in the mean time I lost all of my widgets and ran out of time before I had to leave for our vacation. When I was visiting Chelsea in St. George I was lamenting to her about my blog and my troubles. Being the greatest sister and perfectionist that she is she told me she could help me out. WOW! I didn't expect it to be as fantastic as it is. I love my sister so much and I was so glad that I got to spent time with her little guy last week. She said she is for hire if anyone else wants help. The pro-bono period is overhowver. So thank you so much Chelsea.

While I was on vacation last week in the wonderful 60-70 degree weather I didn't snap any shots, probably because I was in a constant state of shock. It was so nice to just walk outside and not worry about a coat or a jacket. Jack and I even went down and stuck our feet in the pool one day. I did get cold one night at the opening banquet when the air-conditioner was blowing right on me. Robbin and I shopped everyday without fighting kids. (Vacation in itself!!!) One of the best thing was Friday morning I decided to get up and go to the temple. I always have the "excuse" that I have my kids. So without them and being so close to the temple I thought no more excuses!!! First of all their were pansies and flowers coming out in the flower beds as I walked up to the temple. I had never done a session in the St. George temple, so the whole newness and awe struck effect kicked in. But most of all with no time agenda or things to worry about I felt even more at peace. I think this was just what I needed after a long cold winter. By the time we got to Las Vegas there were buds and flowers on the trees and we had to turn on the air conditioner in the truck. When we left Las Vegas on Saturday it was 75 and when we pulled into Kamas it was snowing and 29 degrees! I am ready to go back!!!

Happy Love Day

Well I was going to get this on for Valentines' BUT you know I am way to stressed and busy AGAIN to get everything done. Let me just preface the next part, I am NOT complaining I am just explaining. I have had sick kids for two weeks!!!

Almost everyone I know is sick or has kids that are sick (check out my mom's blog; I really have nothing to complain about). But at this point and time I seem to be struggling to get much else accomplished in the day. So it all started two weeks ago with Tess. She has this deep and consistent cough. When I decided that the over the counter stuff wasn't cutting it I took her to the Dr. Of course something VIRAL. I hate those words, but they prescribed us some cough medicine and told me to use the nebulizer on her. (That thing comes in so handy) As the week progressed and she missed preschool all week and I was up every night checking on her or giving her a breathing treatment, I started to feel run down myself and I had the chills quit frequently. By Sunday I was pretty much down and out BUT no skipping church for me: so after we got home I tried to lay down on the couch and rest. The next day my mom calls me because she stayed home and was sick. (Again refer to her blog) By Tuesday Mia started with the coughing and weazing syndrome. So I started her on the breathing treatments. By midnight her temp was up to 103. So of to the doctor we go, AGAIN. This time RSV. Should have seen it coming and maybe I did and talked myself out of it. Anyway the pediatrician said her O2 saturation level wasn't low enough to put her on oxygen yet, probably because I had started breathing treatments on her and she felt comfortable enough to let us just stay at home without home health care since I have been through this twice before and as long as I monitored her O2 level and her fever didn't continue after 36-48 hours I should just keep her home. That is great EXCEPT somehow I got myself into volunteering for the Book Fair, Being the room mother of 2 Valentine Parties and still having dance classes. So with a little help from Tim staying home from work and Jenica subbing some of my classes I finally made it through the rest of the week!

Here is what my original Valentines Blog was going to be about:
TOP TEN , I mean 11, THINGS I LOVE:

11. My front loading washer and dryer!

10. Massages! Now I don't get these very often but when I do I am in heaven!!!

9. Chips and Queso, & authentic salsa (nothing from a jar)

8. Looking at house plan books. I love them! (That is the closest thing I get to a good novel)

7. Chick Flicks. I have my favs but Robbin and I just saw P.S. I Love You: Cried the whole show!

6. Thinking, dreaming, or planning a vacation. I am excited for August and we just got invited on a huge camping trip to Mt. Rushmore (not sure if we are going?)

This was a picture I took while I was in the Dominican Republic. I loved this pool.

5. Snuggling my girls under a blanket, And yes my favorite blanket is still my green bus quilt from HIGH school! Now I get to snuggle every morning during Dora or Diego!

4. Chocolate chip cookies, homemade of course. Tim made each of his girls a huge homemade chocolate chip heart cookie, such a sweet heart!

3. Living in the mountains. I love living in Kamas. Even with 4 feet of snow!

A recent photo of our back yard. Where are the swings? Pretty soon the trampoline will disappear!

2. Anything that has to do with DANCING!

1. My Family: I love Tim and my girls so much but it goes way beyond that. I love my mom and dad and siblings. I try to plan anyway to get together I can. I call each of my sisters at least twice a week. (Allen hates mindless chatter) I can't wait till all of their kids gets here and we all live close and suffocate each other day in and day out! I love it!

I just love this picture.

Happy Birthday Mom!!!

I will just start by saying, I will never compare to my mother and this tribute is evidence of that but it is the thought that counts!!!


There is a mother name Billie Sue; who raised six kids, some dogs and a husband too.

She works each day and gives all that she's got; teaching, cooking, care-giving, signing, farming, incorporating and what not.

She can plan any event in a minute or two; with all her kids help we know what to do.

Raising six kids, sometimes on her own, she did great; her "grands" she adores-Ellie, Luke, Tess, Mia, Noah, Jack, Boy named "Sue", baby G will make eight.

The example she has set makes it easy on us- to show love for our Savior because it's a must!

The land of Woodland is where she calls home, she has built a legacy of tradtions for her kids who are grown.

The love of her life she meet really young, their time as empty-nesters has only begun.

A woman so happy her joy is contagious, I'm grateful this day for the things that she gave us.

So on this day when you stop to remember, give praise to our mother forever and ever!

Weekend in St. George

As you may have heard from Chelsea and Giselle we all got together in St. George last weekend. ( I know we find any excuse to get together, Thank you Dr. King!) I just needed to get away from the three feet of snow in my yard. Not that I am complaining because I love how pretty it looks all white and this winter has reminded me of winters when I was a kid with snow piles everywhere that you can sled on it just has been VERY cold as well. So I packed the girls up in the car and we headed south. We just had a fun time eating, swimming, fighting over Jack's bumble and of course the talent show. I was so proud of Ellie and Luke. They put the whole thing together. They had the idea and put the sign-up sheet on the fridge, enlisted the judges, made the crowns and trophies and last put not least put together a really amazing routine the included juggling, dancing, and singing! It was just really amazing to me that the kids went to the park and golfing on Monday morning and Tuesday morning when I took Ellie to school it was -12!!! Thanks to Chelsea and Max for putting up with the mess and kids. We have such a great family! We really missed those who were not able to make it. Maybe next time.

He's Official

For those of you who do not know, Tim won the election last November for the Francis Town council. He was sworn in last Tuesday, January 15th and now the work has begun. They put him in charge of the sewer system, (that stinks!) Right now that is the hottest topic in Francis, next to the opposition of the LDS church being built. It also has some perks. He gets to attend a water convention in St. George at the end of February and spouses are allowed to attend. So while he and Greg are in meetings all day Robbin and I will play or scrapbook! I am so proud of Tim. He is so well liked in our community and now he can be know for something other than the dance teachers husband, so he says! He also has finished the second studio in the basement and all the trim and base and case. With all his projects nearing an end he has had some time to do a little ice fishing. The first time in two years!!!

and a Happy New Year!!!

We had a spectacular New Year in Idaho. We had not been in a while so we decided to take an extended trip, more than just the weekend!!! Matt and Sondi and their kids were the perfect hosts. We hardly saw Ellie and Tess because they were down stairs playing the Wii that the Idaho Butikofer's got from Santa!!! (They must have been very good kids!) Although I did catch Tim "tending" Kaleb a time or two with the Wii remote in hand. Plus I could not leave out that I tried it ONCE and posted the highest score on the baseball hitting game. 10 years of being a PE teacher paid off. Tim however did not like it that I had to keep reminding everyone who had the highest score. ( I know that the McNeils will understand why!) We also had a miraculous New Year's Eve. Tim and Matt stayed up way past mid-night and I stayed in control when I was not winning the board game. Sondi and I had planned a finger food buffet and we ate ourselves silly or shall I saw jolly like Santa. Mia decided she was no longer potty trained and pooped her pants EVERYDAY! She would never tell me, she would always tell Sondi because she doesn't get mad. I will say that since we have been home for 5 hours she has gone to the bathroom twice and acts like she never had an accident. The girls had a sleep over at Grandma Janis' and they scored some great costume jewelery that she had saved of her mom's. Who need Christmas presents when you can have awesome treasures like that!!! I have made a few New Year's resolutions and I hope that I have not set my self up for disappointment. However I just want my brother and sisters and parents to know that "Monica"is still in charge and that will never change! Happy New Year!!!