Year End Update

I know I say this every year but I can not believe that today is the last day of 2009. The year came and went so fast. I have finished another year of school. Just one and a half to go. I had a great year and received my first B+ which was good and bad. Bad because I am an over achiever and good because now the pressure is off a bit. I had a difficult semester with the construction going and was really happy when finals were over. I look forward to the Spring Sememster and hope I will enjoy school like I used too.

Our construction is almost finished, well the inside anyways. We just have the backsplash and two small tile floors to finish along with some minor carpentry and cabinet touchup. I was able to officially clean up the construction mess on Christmas Eve. My mom came and helped a lot.



Mom was not just with the clean up but also with a very sad event. Our puppy, finally named Molly, became ill and we took her to a vet to check on her. He tested her for Parvo and that was negative so they hydrated her, she had been vomiting, and sent her home with anti-biotics. She seemed to feel better and got a little energy back but the then the next night the vomiting started again. She became very ill and I kept her by my bed all night so I could help her if she got sick again. When I woke up the next morning she was so ill and lifeless. I held her thinking that I was going to keep her warm and comfortable until she died. My wonderful husband decided to take her to another vet to see if they could help her. They tested her blood and the sugar level was critically low - 23 when she should be 150 to 175. They started treatment and gave her an 80-85 percent chance of recovery. She started to rally and was going to be able to come home on Christmas Eve. They called that morning and said to pick her up after noon. The doctor did mention that she vomited again but was not too concerned. Scott and Josie went to pick her up and she had taken a turn for the worse. They knew something was wrong inside her little body and so they wanted to do a couple of tests and see if she needed surgery. She never got strong enough and by 3:00pm she went into cardiac arrest and on the 3rd time the staff was unable to revive her and she passed away. Scott happened to be at the vets waiting to see her and get an update when I called and told him the news. I always felt bad that we did not bring home our shetland collie when she had to be put down, to bury, so I asked him to bring her home and we buried her out under the trees. We only had her three weeks but Josie, Scott, and I really fell in love with her and it was an unhappy day. I was so glad to have such a great husband who did everything he could for our little "baby" and my mom with me. She really was a help and a loving support.



Other than that we had a great year and Christmas was wonderful because the grandchildren were here. It is difficult to be sad when you have such fun grandchildren to spend Christmas with. Shauntel took pity on us old folks and did not wake us up until 7:30am. We were grateful for that. The kids walked downstairs to an undecorated Christmas tree and saw all there presents and were so excited. They didn't even care that we lacked decorations this year. It was difficult to decorate because our house did not get put back together until Christmas Eve. Without my beloved grandchilden and children, Christmas would have been pretty boring and quiet.

We also had Scott's family over for breakfast and that was also fun. They brought presents from the grandparents in Japan and so that was exciting for all to see what they sent. Then we went to my mom's for traditional Christmas Day chicken noodle soup and to visit with the family. It was a nice day after all.

10 Things I Love About You...2009

1. Shauntel and her family spending the summer with me.

2. Ryan cooking delicious dinners for us - especially crab legs and prime rib!

3. Seeing Brad at work with always a friendly "Mom! How are you."

4. Amy's getting a job with Granite District teaching geography, yuck!

5. Whitney being accepted to Medical School and completing her first "semester."

6. Jacob coming home honorably from his mission and getting engaged.

7. Getting to know Felicia and adding a new member to our family.

8. Josie going to her first "formal" dance at school.

9. Jackie's opportunity to finish another year of school even though there was much complaining.

10. Most importantly, having such a great husband that would do anything so that I do not have to be sad or uncomfortable.

Merry Christmas to me (a little early)!

I got my Christmas present early this year, and I share it with Josie. We have both wanted a new puppy for a long time but had been unsuccessful in talking Scott into getting us one. We would look on KSL.com for a dog we both liked. We decided on a poodle because they stay small and do not shed, besides Jo kaboshed the Dachshund because they grow up ugly (her words) and shed (my words).


On Friday, Josie and I sat down again and looked on KSL.com and there happened to be a lady coming from Idaho who was selling poodles. Josie had two requirements for the dog:
1. It could not be white because their eyes get gross.
2. It could not be a male.


Well Idaho lady had two females and one was black. Plus her name is Rita and that is what we call Aunt Jen, so we took it as sign that it was time to talk Scott into an early Christmas present. Well I asked him Friday night and said this would be the last time I asked because I did not want to nag him anymore about it. He said he truly did not want a dog and so I said okay and gave Jo the bad news. She decided that she would ask him herself and the discussed why he did not want to have the dog and she explained that she is older and would be very responsible. Well, he gave his infamous answer that he always gives when Josie want something, "if your bedroom is clean right now (then you can have the dog)." Josie had anticipated this answer and she and her friend Devon had cleaned her bedroom earlier that day. Scott and Jo walked downstairs and walked into the bedroom and Scott said "Oh my h***." He knew he had be snookered. But being the man of honor that he is he said I gave you my word and you can have the puppy.


I couldn't believe it! We went to the house Rita was staying at and bought little girl, she has no name yet. She is very young, only five weeks and probably shouldn't have left her mother, but she was weened and all ready on solid food so I consented and we took this little, sweet baby home Friday night.


She is so cute and we both love her so much all ready. All I could say to Scott is that at least you have your Christmas shopping finished. It didn't make him better but he sure being a good sport.


Shauntel and her family came to town today, Saturday, and the kids got to play with girl. She would chase J.R. around trying to get his toes. She did get Shyann's toes and she did not like this at all. Shyann was also very protective and anything that was on the floor because she did not want puppy to chew it. It was a fun day because I had the grandchildren while Shauntel and Ryan went to Premier to make holiday baskets for our customers. What could be better than being with the grandchildren and a new puppy. Maybe a little bit of chocolate and it would have been perfect!