ENDO Study Update

So I qualified for the study yippee!!! I will do an interview/physical on Friday and then that's it and I have my normal study. They'll pay me $100 plus they will pay me mileage. Not too bad when I was just going to be paying for the surgery and get no extra money. So, things are kind of working out as far as the surgery goes and we'll just wait and see what happens.

ABC's of Me

All right, I decided to follow everyone and post about me. Maybe everyone will find how just how much they know about me. Maybe everyone will find out I'm a total stranger! Probably the first.

A- Attached or Single? married for 5.5 years

B- Best Friend? My husband, but I am working on getting more Girlfriends besides family.

C- Cake or Pie? I would have to say toss up. I love pies like Peach, Apple and Pumpkin, but not cherry. I like cake, I just don't like frosting.

D- Day of Choice? Probably Friday or Saturday. I can't decide which. I guess it depends on how much there is to do on Saturday.

E- Essential Item? Calendar. I have to know what is going on and when or I am lost!

F- Favorite Color? Greens

G- Gummy Bears or Worms? Gummy Bears so long as they are a good brand.

H- Hometown? Orem

I- Favorite Indulgence? I really have a couple on opposite ends of the spectrum. I absolutely love chocolate covered strawberries or brownies, but I also love salty things like steak (especially from Tepanyaki) or cheese (especially swiss).

J- January or July? Neither. One is too hot, the other too cold. I am totally a lover of Spring.

K- Kids? 1 of my own and 2 step.

L- Life isn't complete without? My Family

M- Marriage date? September 7, 2002

N- Number of brothers and sisters? 2 brothers, 4 sisters

O- Oranges or Apples? Apples to eat, Oranges to drink.

P- Phobias and Fears? I hate the scratching on the chalk board thing, cotton balls, and heights!

R- Reason to smile? Kids. They say the funniest things and do the cutest things.

S- Season of choice? Spring

T- Tag three people? I prefer not to make anyone do anything, so I'll just skip this one.

U- Unknown fact about me? In 5th grade I was taking dance lessons and the night before school remembered that in our class we each had to present a talent the next day to audition for the talent show. So I grabbed the song "Somewhere out There" and my leotard for the next day. I went to class and performed a dance that I made up as I went along...totally lame and embarrassing! Then, to my surprise, I was chosen as one of 2 people to represent our class in the talent show...only problem...I couldn't remember the dance I made up on the spot! Long story short, luckily our family had a conflict ending my talent show debut.

V- Vegetable? I love squash and broccoli

W- Worst Habit? I bite my nails

X-ray or Ultrasound? I have had both and I prefer the X-Ray because I hate when your bladder is completely full and they push so hard (at least it feels hard because you have to pee so bad!)

Y- Your favorite food? I love everything, but I really like Japanese Food a lot and Mexican.

Z- Zodiac Sign? Libra

Surgery

Well, the date is set. I should have a wonderful Easter. I will have surgery on Friday, March 21st. I don't know yet about the study, but at least I have a date of surgery! Only a little more of the hormone treatments! Yippee! Then I think I get a different hormone treatment for a couple months, but it will hopefully all be worth it in the end!

ENDO Study

So today I met with my doctor to see when I should have surgery to help with my miscarriage problem. He told me we will schedule it in the next 2 days and should be sometime in March. He also mentioned there is a new study being done only with the UofU and somewhere else in California. He said that they would have me do a full medical history as well as a physical. They then said that during my surgery they would take some other samples and these would be studied for the study. They will compensate me for my time and inconvenience, which would be cool. I will find out in a couple days if I qualify and what they will compensate me, but hey, even if it is only $20, that's $20 I didn't have before and I get to help in a study that could help millions of women. The study helps to study endometriosis and women with uterine anomalies to see how they are developed, whether by genes or the environment. They say that if you have been exposed to chemicals that cause either of these they will still be in your fatty tissue and they will know whether or not this is your cause when they study what they take out during the surgery. They will take a small fat sample from my stomach. I was like, "Can you please take a big sample, and maybe make a stop over to my butt?!" Anyway, I am excited to learn if I can participate or not and I am anxious to learn when my surgery is so I will keep you posted so I can get a lot of get well cards, etc. I'm just kidding, they said it should be a very simple surgery.

A Couple Max Moments

We went to the BYU/Utah Game and This picture is of Max singing along to the National Anthem. The video was so cute. We made some Chocolate covered strawberries (my favorite) and then Daddy asked him about it.

Our Day at the Zoo

We had a great day at the zoo today. The boys had a lot of fun and some of the highlights were when Aidan and Andrew pretended to be on American Gladiators when they went across the rings. Max also shot webs like SpiderMax on a large web in the play area. It was so much fun and actually quite warm.

It's Too Late

Along with the hand dance they all sing the song and Max has started to join in. He also plays the air guitar. He was a little more shy for the camera, but it is still cute.

The Hand Dance

Whenever we are in the car the boys want to listen to the same song. Aidan and Andrew came up with this little hand "dance"to the song. This is a little video of them doing the little hand dance they made up.

Making Pizza (And Bread)

Today we got to make homemade pizza for lunch. We all worked together to make the bread dough and even made 2 loaves of bread to go with the pizza. Here we are with our pizza and our aprons that Grandma M made us that have each of our names on them. Here is a message from each of us about making the pizza.

Aidan: I think making the pizza was fun. Because we got to spend time together as a family.

Andrew: i made a pizza today!!!It was very fun.

Max: I made yummy pizza today! bnjjjjgthffhfhodfjiijr5t,mfrg7rt rhrtyh8n8hn m,vulfgnbfgm, vchyfcmiiniyi7hgh8nc8ncv8n cvycv d8c vcv

Mom: I was really proud of how they all wanted to be a part of it and all took turns putting in ingredients and rolling out the dough, etc. It is nice when we all want to help and be together and learn new things.

BYU vs UNLV

So we took the kids to the BYU/UNLV game last night. It was packed! The room got really hot and all the boys had little pink cheeks from the heat. Aidan decided he wouldn't need his coat for the first bit when he got outside. Andrew and my brother "J" took it a step further. They decided to take off their coats and ran right into a huge giant pile of snow. They were covered, and as you can imagine they were then nice and cooled off. They put back on their coats and we went to the car. When we got to the car there was this huge slick of black ice so each of the kids took turns with Dad as he held their hands and slid them across the ice. It was a fun night.

Our Valentine's Day

So this year we decided we would do things for less money. We decided not to do gifts and we just spent the evening at home. I made dinner for Shane and Max and it was some of his favorite things. Then we watched a movie. The movie was enjoyable, but proves we have children. I went to the Redbox and the movie I wanted was gone, so I let Max choose the movie. He chose Flushed Away. So, for Valentine's Day that is what we watched. It was quite enjoyable. Max was very proud and kept telling Daddy house he picked the movie.

President Hinkey

No, it isn't a typo. I am always amazed by what kids pick up. We talk about President Hinkley in our home and I have probably shown him pictures, but you don't really think about just how much a 2 year old is taking in. The other day Max was in the living room and grabbed a picture (of President Hinkley) and took it to Daddy and said "President Hinkey". It was so cute. Now he says it almost every time he passes the picture. Very cute!

Happy Valentine's Day

This is my Valentine to all the men in my life:

Shane - I love you with all my heart. You are so patient and so loving and kind. You put up with the stress case that I am and are always so forgiving. You are a great Dad. You are so great because you are always spending time with your kids. You don't just send them off to play by themselves. You try to include them and make sure they know they are loved. You are so great in helping me around the house. You are just the best at whatever you do. I love you.

Aidan - You are a great young man. I can't believe how much you have grown since I met you. I can't believe you were barely 5 years old and now you are almost 11. Before we know it you will be in Young Mens! I am so proud at your desire to do good and to try hard. You are a great big brother who is always willing to help with Max. You are very loving to Max and you can tell he feels that. I love that you like to cook with me. I really enjoy that time we have together just you and me...and our meals are quite good when we work together. I am so proud of you and know you can accomplish anything you set your mind to. I love you.

Andrew - You are so special. The meaning of your name is Manly Warrior. I know you liked that. You are just that. You are a great warrior and defender of your family. You always stand up for the people in your family. You are doing a great job at learning how to be a big brother and Max loves to play with you. I'm so proud of how patient you are becoming with him and for your willingness to let him tag a long sometimes even when you really don't want him to. You light up a room with your smile and you keep people happy with your hugs and the things you say. You are a bright spot in everyone's day. Keep trying hard and you can do anything! I love you.

Max - You are mommy's little boy. Your smile is contagious. I love your stubborn will and how hard you try to be independent and do what your brothers are doing. I love your hugs and when you say "I love you Mommy". You are so smart. I love when you will start to sing a song or say a word and will try to do the sign for it as well as say it. It makes me feel like my hard work is paying off. I love when you won't go to anyone but me because I'm Mommy. I love when you want to be just like your brothers and how you act like one of the big kids when they are here. I love when you yell at sporting events and I can see your Dad in you so clearly. You can do whatever you set your mind to. I love you.

Poo!

We had a miracle happen today. Max has no problem going pee in the toilet and can even go in the big toilet. What he doesn't dare do is go poo. Today he was looking like he was trying and I snatched him up and ran him upstairs and tada...he pooped in the toilet! (Very proud moment). Then after we got his undies back on, etc. he just had to talk about it and said, "Big poop Mom!", followed by his own little fart noise from his mouth! Very funny! Anyway, that is my big news for the day!

Baking Day

Well, my little brother was sick today, so Max didn't go to my Mom's to get babysat. I stayed home from work and Max and I decided to bake. We made some bread dough and we made 2 loaves of bread, cinnamon rolls, and a strombolli. A strombolli is like a rolled up pizza. The strombolli is for dinner, so I am very excited. It was probabaly my best batch of bread ever! It was probably because Max was helping!

4 Things About Shane

Four jobs I have had in my life:
1. Sound Concepts
2. CDI Media
3. Alexander's Print Advantage
4. Purchasing Agent at Mitylite

Four movies I would watch over and over:
1. Mission Impossible 2
2. Pirates of the Carribean 1, 2, & 3
3. Hoosiers
4. Space Balls

Four places I have lived:
1. California (Various Parts)
2. Germany (Various Parts)
3. Santaquin, Utah
4. Orem, Utah

TV shows that I watch (or watched regularly when they aired):
1. Dukes of Hazzard
2. Survivor
3. Apprentice
4. Anything on ESPN

Four Places I Have Been
1. Hawaii
2. Paris
3. Sweden
4. Nashville

Four People who e-mail me (regularly):
1. Suzy
2. People at work
3. The Provo Chamber

Four of my favorite foods:
1. Steak
2. Mexican Food
3. Hot Breakfast
4. Dessert

Four places I would rather be right now:
1. Hawaii
2. Hawaii
3. Hawaii
4. Hawaii

Four things I am looking forward to in the upcoming year:
1. Having Aidan & Andrew move closer
2. Baller Family Reunion
3. A promotion would be nice
4. Getting Suzy Home

4 Things About Me

Liza and Melissa had this on their blog and I have done it on email, but I thought it would be fun to do what they did and put it on our blog, so here goes.

Four jobs I have had in my life:
1. Bagger at Macey's Grocery Store
2. Instrument Rental and Small Goods at Bert Murdock Music
3. Receptionist, Account Manager, and Prepress Supervisor at Alexander's Print Advantage.
4. Mom

Four movies I would watch over and over:
1. Sleepless in Seattle
2. A Walk to Remember
3. Gone with the Wind
4. I can't think of a 4th, I love them all, but I did like Enchanted most recently.

Four places I have lived:
1. Orem, Utah (5 places in this town)
2. Santaquin, Utah
3. American Fork, Utah
4. Orem, Utah (I get around)

Four TV shows that I watch (or watched regularly when they aired):
1. Little House on the Prairie
2. Survivor
3. Amazing Race (Or a few other reality shows that are airing at the time.)
4. Anything on HGTV or Food Network

Four places I have been:
1. Hawaii
2. Florida
3. Washington DC/New York in one trip
4. Nauvoo (Road trip, so all the states in between)

Four People who e-mail me (regularly):
1. Shane
2. My Mom
3. People at work
4. My bills

Four of my favorite foods:
1. Steak (Especially from Tepanyaki or Spencer's)
2. Gyoza
3. Mexican Food
4. Thai Food

Four places I would rather be right now:
1. On a Cruise
2. Hawaii
3. New York
4. Florida

Four things I am looking forward to in the upcoming year:
1. Having Aidan and Andrew move closer
2. Hopefully working less
3. Losing Weight
4. Hopefully getting pregnant

Swimming Lessons

Here are more picture of swimming lessons. This time with Daddy. Check out the air Max got on that jump into the water! Another thing that happened that was funny: They have you toss a toy out a little and then have the child try to swim to it with your help of course. Max threw the toy and this man was so shocked with how far he threw it he had to come over to Shane and say, "Wow, you have quite the little quarterback there." We were so proud! =)

Home Alone...Not

Max wanted me to post some pictures of him. He was very specific about the Spiderman picture and I had a cute Home Alone like picture.

Our Blessing

We are excited to announce that the boys and their Mom and Step Dad will be moving to Lehi/Saratoga Springs area near Cabellas. We are very excited about this. We aren't sure when yet. They have a house, that I am sure is beautiful because their Mom has good taste, but they aren't sure if they will move before school gets out or wait until summer. We will keep you posted. We are very excited because they will be so much closer now!