Olivia

Olivia is the oldest of the twins, by one whole minute! Ollie is her nickname and she has the sweetest nature about her. She loves her blankets, always has one or two with her if she can.

Earlier this year we almost lost her! She spiked a high fever at daycare. I felt like a horrible mother, because when daycare called it was about 4:30 p.m. and I asked them if they could wait a half hour because then I could finish my shift at work. They insisted that I come immediately, so I did.

On the way to go pick her up I called the doctor to make an appointment so that hopefully she could return back to daycare the next day if her fever was down. (Daycare has a rule that if a child had a temperature over 102, they need a doctor release to return to daycare.) I have a great team of doctors; one of which agreed to stay later at the clinic to meet us.

I picked up Olivia and made our appointment. The symptoms a high fever that was about 104. The doctor started checking her joints, and when she checked the left hip, Olivia screamed a piercing scream! The doctor looked at me in complete bewilderment and told me to get her to the emergency as quickly as possible, something was wrong.

I gathered up the other girls and off we went to the emergency room. Olivia endured several tests, but with no conclusive results. They gave her some Ibuprofen and sent her home, with instructions to bathe her in cool water and give her fluids and Ibuprofen to reduce fever. They told if at any reason her fever was to spike and not respond to the Ibuprofen to bring her back.

We got home late that night. I didn't get much sleep, because Olivia didn't get much sleep. Around 7 a.m. I checked her temperature. It was 104.2 degrees! I gave her some Ibuprofen, got the other girls ready for the day, and checked it again. In one hour it dropped to 104.

I was pretty concerned, so I took her back to the E.R. On the way, I picked up my best friend for support and continued up to the hospital. We ended getting rear ended and finished the ride up there by ambulance.

The doctor checked her out again and informed me that she did have RSV. That isn't so scary for a child that was almost two, and didn't really explain the high fevers. We were getting ready to leave when the doctor came in with a pretty large needle and a lab tech. He told me that something weird came back in Olivia's blood work. Weird? I requested more information. The doctor explained that Olivia's blood had some bacteria in it. That's not normal, but many times there is contamination that occurs. They wanted to draw some more blood and do the test again. Just in case there really was bacteria, he wanted to start her on some heavy duty antibiotics, hence the large needle.

We were then sent home.

Early the next morning, I received a call from the doctor. It went something like this:

"Are you Olivia's mother?"

"Yes."

"This is Doctor Blank up at Primary Children's Hospital. (pause) How quickly can you bring Olivia in?"

"Why, what's wrong?"

"We need to speak with you regarding Olivia's blood work. We'll probably be admitting her and possibly other things. We need you up here as soon as possible."

My stomach dropped. I was really scared. I had no idea what was going on and almost afraid to find out. I headed back up there for the third time in 40 hrs.

Again Olivia was subject to more testing, more doctors, more poking. They did an ultrasound on her and found a couple of puss pockets on her left hip. Then they tried to stick a needle in her hip to withdraw fluid from those pockets to do a culture, however she was just to little and they couldn't get anything. She was awake the whole time being a brave girl. She was so sick. I wished I could have endured all her pain so that she wasn't going through it. About 3 p.m the decided to do surgery.

My Grandma and Grandpa came up with their home teachers and placed their hands on her head. She received a blessing of healing. I have a strong testimony that blessings help those that need them, as long as it is God's will.

Olivia was taken into surgery, for about two hours she was gone. I could barely hold myself together. I waited while she woke up, then helped her with a Popsicle. They had to put her in quarantine room, with another child that had RSV. I barely slept all night. The next morning she woke up and was practically back to normal. We played all weekend in the hospital. She recovered quickly and was sent home. She had to have a pick line installed.

After she came back home, she had to receive strong antibiotics through IV for about 3 months. I was so happy to have her home, but sad to see a child learn medical procedures so well.

She had a Staphylococcal Infection.

To this day if she sees wrapping tape, she throws it away. Was really frustrated when I had foot surgery this last summer.

She is so special in my laugh and makes me laugh on a daily basis. I am so glad she is with us and is blossoming into such a beautiful little girl.

Vote for my Niece

Abra has not yet posted this link, but I found Piper was entered into a contest at this link http://www.thebinghamdiaries.com/ so put your clicker there and start voting!!!!!!!!

Sorry Kymberlee. I like you, but I gotta plug my niece. Nepotism......

A new New Years Resolution.

So much is happening around me this season, some good, some bad. I look at my children and think how luckily I am to have such generally healthy, happy, growing children. Johnathan is so nice to us all and he has accepted everyone of my children has his own.

Life overall is good. There is economic stress, Johnathan for his Christmas bonus received a 5% decrease in pay. My plant I work at has until April to show a larger gross profit, or they may be forced to shut their doors. Today we are okay.

I love this time of year. I don't expect much from anybody in the way of gifts, I just like to spend time with my family. I would love to have all my brothers and sisters together this year, but that is not possible, so I really hope the ones that are here will pop in for Christmas dinner. I promise no recycled pineapples this year.

I think that with all the stress around, we just need to be thankful for what we have and who we have around us. You never know what God's plan has in store. Enjoy the time we have now, because tomorrow it may be gone.

I think the biggest regrets I hear when people die is "I wish we had more time." Not, "I should have gotten that special thingy they wanted." I love the fact almost my whole family blogs and we can stay in touch, but I miss all the letters, tangible things I could hold onto forever. I miss seeing the handwriting improve over years. I miss the doodles on the side of the paper. I miss that. I am not one for doing snail mail very well.

This next year close friends and family, my goal is at least once, send a snail letter, and pictures from the children, that you can chose to display, store or throw away. Regardless how sentimental you are, at least I will have the satisfaction that I did something I want from all of you.

I love you all tons and I miss you so much.

Phone calls can change a lot......

I am still teed-off at my ex, however my eyes are full of tears again.

I haven't lived in Herriman very long, however we have an awesome ward. I met this gal Heather. She has one of those amazing houses and about 8 kids. I saw not too long ago, as she hosted dessert at a Relief Society progressive dinner.

Shockingly her baby died yesterday.

She was an adorable baby girl about 4 months old.

My heart drops a little. I think of my children and how I would feel to lose one of them and the thought just makes me shudder.

I don't even want to imagine what the family is feeling right now.

Let's keep the family in our prayers, that they will find peace with God and the strength to carry on during their grieving process.

Sometimes you just hafta yell and scream!

I am sad today. I was sad last night. I am frustrated too. Let's throw exasperated in there too.

This is a venting post. I have to get it out, so I can continue on in life without it consuming my thoughts.

My ex-husband is a self absorbed, egotistic, control freak. Sorry, our children who may read this. I've tried hiding it for years, but I can't anymore.

I let him know, two weeks ago what time frame I could take the boys this year for the holidays. I specified the 24th of Dec until the 4th of Jan. Anytime in between there. He wants me to get them on the 20th of Dec. and bring them back on the 27th.

My son's b-day is on the 29th, besides Christmas, New Years......UGH!

I've come up with several different arrangements, but nothing is good for him. Why???? Because his girlfriend's daughter is leaving that week and it's convenient for them and because the boys need a WHOLE week to play with their Christmas toys at their Dad's house before they go back to school.

Let's see.......the 26th Sabrina has surgery, I have to take a full week off to stay home with her. If she wasn't haven't surgery I couldn't even have that off. I offered to take them the 24th-27th then pick them up the 1st-4th.

Am I being irrational? unreasonable?

For seven years he has had our children every Christmas, every Thanksgiving, every other New Year. I have invited this man who insulted my family and me for years and still does, to every birthday party and important event in our children's lives.

He won't let Andrew get baptized now, he is almost 9. He won't let them attend scouts. He who chastised me for not having time to put them in after school programs won't do the same.

My son Andrew struggles there, because Mary ( his girlfriend) dislikes me. Andrew is the squeaky wheel so to say, so he gets the wrath of her anger.

I guess I can be thankful that he (my ex) chooses to remind me why we are exes and no longer together. I try and pray for him, but it so hard to do when you are doing your best not to picture running him over in your car.

I just miss my boys right now. I wish my ex could see the benefits if we work together, not a part.

I'm drying my tears and taking a deep breath and restarting the day.

Exclaimations of Olivia

In the last month or so Olivia has really blossomed in her use of vocabulary. Yesterday, while driving home Johnathan and I were contemplating what to do with the 4 remaining children while we accompany Sabrina for her surgery. Andrew is my most worrisome child. He has high anxiety regarding this kind of situations, which can be troublesome for babysitters.

Rosie volunteered to watch the boys and Olivia, and reminded me that Andrew would be stressed out and being home with his toys would keep him busy. I mentioned though that if he went with Johnathan and I, that we could talk to him and ease his fears. Rosie said that she would be willing to talk to him if he got to worrying too badly.

Olivia then exclaimed : "NO! I will talk to him."

Andrew is so lucky to have so many loving and caring sisters!

Finally a Picture of Johnathan

Let me introduce Johnathan.

When we first met, we both felt a strange attraction to each other. At the time we were both dealing with our own complicated relationships. Often we were on each other's minds, however due to respect of our current relationship complications, we were barely what you called friends. When our paths did cross, we enjoyed our time together and left a lasting impression on each others mind.

He has since then, not only become my fiance, but my best friend as well. I can share anything with him and him with me. I think my favorite part of this relationship is that we can agree to disagree. We value each others right to have individual thoughts and ideas.


I am not saying that we never have disagreements, but we actually communicate with each other. He has a strong testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith and he loves to listen to Hymns. Although, we have not announced an exact wedding date, the day we run away and elope may come sooner then later.

"I do my thing and you do your thing. I am not in this world to live up to your expectations, And you are not in this world to live up to mine. You are you, and I am I, and if by chance we find each other, it's beautiful. If not, it can't be helped."

(Fritz Perls, 1969)