polka-dotted baby

Lex was one of those lucky babies that gets the measles rash and fever from the vaccination. So on Friday she broke out in a crazy rash which got steadily worse 'til about sunday afternoon. Now she is just blotchy and getting better. She never got as sick as babies do when they have the measles but she looked terrible and felt terrible for a couple of days.

the pics were taken sat morning. I wish I would have taken one a day later at it's worst.



when I took her to the dr. a little girl said, "look! That baby has polka dots!" She thought it was just darling (though all the other people were horrified). The nurse when I took lex into the exam room said, "oh goodness, I am so sorry your baby looks like that." Glad she is on the mend and that it wasn't the real measles!

having second thoughts....

I have been thinking seriously about getting a dog for several months, talking to breeders, reading books, etc. Then I saw this dog on craigslist for cheap and jumped at the opportunity. These dogs (rhodesian ridgebacks) are hard to get. Most breeders sell the puppies "are spoken for" long before the litter is ready to leave mom. So, in a way it was an impulse buy

why am I having second thoughts.
#1. it is a DOG!! --do I really want a dog in my house?
#2. it will get BIG!! -- do I really want an 80-100 lb dog in my house?
#3. I need to train it! -- can I do a good job? If Calivn is any indication I am in big trouble.
#4. MONEY!! -- can I afford all the vet trips, dog toys, unexpected emergencies...? Would I rather have a dog than zoo passes, dance class for clare, etc?

Dave says I am retarded -- why wouldn't I think about this stuff before I buy a dog. I have been thinking about all of this! I guess the part of me that was undecided about dog ownership is coming out now that I have one. The fact that it is a puppy and a lot of work is hard but I am not really that worried about that. I am happy to work hard, provided the results will be good!

so far, things are going well. no accidents in the house. dog is friendly with the kids. esp. loves clare. calvin is AFRAID of the dog and runs around so the dog thinks it is another puppy and wants to chase and jump on him. I am trying so hard to calm down Calvin but he is driving me crazy. Since clare just lets the dog hang out it doesn't jump on her. I have been so impressed with clare --she is doing so well and follows my instructions as I tell her what to do if the dog jumps on her and after 2 days it won't jump on her.

more later. gotta go.

oh, dog names.. ..kids and dan named him bruce but dave says no way to that name.dave wants bronco (byu), tressel (ohio state), or Larry (USCD neurosurgery).

I love to see the temple

I took the kids down to see the temple this week. Clare LOVED it and was so excited to hear that dave and I got married there, was really impressed with the beautiful flowers, and reveled in every minute of it. She was tickled pink to touch the temple as well.



Calvin fell asleep on the way down there and was not a happy camper when I woke him up. And by not happy I mean he was crying as loud as he could for most of the time. That is why there are no pictures with him. It is not that I don't love him....he was just not very photogenic-- even though I did give him a great hair cut that morning. I am getting much better at my boy hair cuts. I even cut dan's hair a couple of weeks ago and he looks great. (He usually pays 30 at a high end salon so for him to like my hair cut really says something). Dave won't let me cut his hair becuase I had too many "ooops" moments back when I cut his hair when we were newly mairried. I am trying to convince him that I am MUCH better at it now, but he is not convinced! He spends more on hair care / year than I do and I would like to turn that around. okay, I did manage to get one pic of calvin...mid cry...

alexey 1 year stats

height - 28 inches (20%)
weight - 18lbs. 11 oz (15%)

6 teeth (3 on top and 3 on the bottom, weird, huh?)

words - "hi" "dan" (he leaves in 2 months and boy are we going to miss him!)

still not much hair

cute as can be!

silver lining

A few days ago I steped outside and learned what the phrase "silver lining" means as I saw the sun rays peeking out from behind the clouds. I am not a great photographer but it is still just so beautiful!

because I can't say no

I was asked to teach a one hour class on literature at an upcoming church activity. I am not an expert but I do instigate book club so it is easy for one to think I might be an expert. In either case, I am willing to do almost anything and I do love to teach so I'll give it a try.

So, I need your help. And will probably need your help again and again as I prepare!! Please tell me, what is your FAVORITE book? if it is not content clean don't mention it :)

Here are a few book quotes I've enjoyed recently.

Anyone who says they have only one life to live must not know how to read a book. ~Author Unknown

Always read something that will make you look good if you die in the middle of it. ~P.J. O'Rourke


Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog it's too dark to read. ~Groucho Marx

The man who does not read good books has no advantage over the man who can't read them. ~Mark Twain, attributed

"Instead of going to Paris to attend lectures, go to the public library, and you won’t come out for twenty years, if you really wish to learn." Leo Tolstoy

"I cannot live without books." Thomas Jefferson

The smallest bookstore still contains more ideas of worth than have been presented in the entire history of television. ~Andrew Ross

I've never known any trouble that an hour's reading didn't assuage. ~Charles de Secondat, Baron de la Brède et de Montesquieu, Pensées Diverses

a few pictures

I've been accused of having more dog photos than children photos these last few weeks so here are a few of darling Alexey. Completely happy to be covered in sand at the beach and not at all worried about a little sand on her crackers. Someone walked by and said, "now there is a third child."



And the new love of Lex's life is the cozy coupe. She loves to walk behind it, or better yet, sit inside it and get whirled around the deck by the big kids. (once again, she is obviously the third child, Calvin would have never been allowed to have such fun)

loved conference!

we had a great conference weekend. I was able to watch almost all of conference, something that hasn't happened for YEARS. Alexey naps everyday from 9-11 and 1-3 which just so happens to be conference time here. Calvin and Clare did a pretty good job (some of the time) playing, coloring, painting, etc. by themselves so I had some blocks of time to watch. The kids loved to hear the music and the prophet. Wasn't it great that they sang a primary song (this is my beloved Son ... one of my favorites) Sunday? Plus, the kids know we thank thee o God for a Prophet and How firm a foundation.

Favorite talks:

LOVED Hollands talk about the Easter and the Savior.

Elder Hales talk about provident living and spending wisely wanted me to jump up and erase my previous blog post. It is a good reminder that I can do better and that saving for a specific goal can be something all the family will take part in. Even the kids. I think I'll help them to know that we are saving for a summer vacation (family reunion in Reno).

Great reminder that the temple is important. Tonight we are having FHE at the temple so the kids can go touch it. -- can't even remember now who gave this talk. There were 2 on the temple that I remember.

Loved Pres. Monson's talk to the Young Women about courage.

Also, enjoyed Elder Perry's talk about missionary work and specifically what we should be teaching, 1st our love of the savior and testimony of the atonement. 2nd. the restoration of the gospel through Joseph Smith and 3rd our testimony of the book of mormon.

Looking forward to the Ensign coming out in a few weeks so I can read them over. Plus, they'll be posted online soon.

do you ever wish you had a few extra thousand dollars laying around?

I try not too because I find it just makes me greedy, but every once in a while I get on a "I think I need ......." kick. Right now I am on one and I just have to hold myself back. Here is my dream list.

- a ridgeback puppy and all the stuff I need to take care or him/her + medical expenses, etc. ($2000 upfront + a lifetime of food and medical care)
*picture taken from http://www.lamardeperro.com


I am also considering this rescue puppy. one year old mama ridgeback mix. She is house trained, sweet as they come and sooooo much cheaper than a puppy.



- a new jogging stroller (to walk my dog!!) and/or a treadmill so I can exercise more often. I found a treadmill on craigslist for $150 in town and am considering that one. Costco is selling one of the dreamer design double joggers for about $150 also so I am considering that as well.

- a wheat grinder and lots of wheat. I'd like to start doing more cooking with my own wheat and learning all the tricks of the trade.

- one of those blenders that are commercial grade and indestructible. I saw a demo on the blendtec at costco and would have bought it if I had $400 in my pocket. I know that I could get Clare and Alexey their full serving of fruit and veggies daily if I could make them a "milkshake" with lots of good stuff in it. My bosch blender is wonderful (thanks linda) the best on I've had but it can't compete with these. The blender can even grind grains.


Why am I telling you this? I don't know. Maybe becuase if I tell Dave he gets worried that I am going to go crazy and spend all of our $$$ (don't worry sweetie, I won't). I am happy with my life and know that I am so blessed. Soon I will come to my senses and quit wishing away my day ... but for now it's just fun to dream!

Oh, I almost forgot. A new camera and a trampoline would be lovely. Wish I could send this list off to santa (one that doesn't use my bank account for shopping)!!