A New Girl

So Kate came home one day and told me that she had failed the vision test at school. I said, "Kate have you had trouble seeing at school?" "Yes" says Kate. OKAY that would have been very good to know! But we took her in and wa la- she is blind. :o) She couldn't see anything! I felt terrible. So we went in and started looking for just the right frames. I was surprised by what we ended up picking. But she looks DARLING in them. And NOW SHE CAN SEE! She was floored by all she could see. For days that is all we heard. "I can see that now. I can see that now. Wow look at that. Mom can you read that? I can!" She was reading every street sign as we were driving. It almost drove us bonkers. (in a good way.) We are so glad she can see. That same day she also got her ears pierced. She really is a NEW girl. You have to look hard to see her ears, but here she is. Oh and at the last second I decided I would try to put on some video. I don't know what I am doing so here goes. If you see video it worked. If you don't well, that means there is little hope for this technologically challenged woman.

A Christmas tradition

Grandma and Papa Phippen brought a gingerbread kit with them so the girls could do one with them. I think they did a superb job on it. Grandma helped, but Kate really did great with the frosting. AND Sarah and Abby even held back on eating all the candy so that there could actually be candy on this gingerbread house! It has been touch and go in the past. You all will not believe me when I say that I didn't even mean to dress them the same that day. Really it wasn't just for the picture with the gingerbread house. Promise. muchos gracias Papa and Grandma

Merry Christmas

We hope you all had a wonderful Christmas! And that you party it up this New Year's Eve! :o) Ya know, Mormon style.

Christmas 2008

Our tree this year:

I would be lying if I didn't admit two things about Christmas this year. It was Grrrrrrrreat! It was wonderful to not get in a car and load the presents both for family and for kids, the stockings, the snacks, the clothes, the mittens, the gloves, the coats, the kids, the pillows, the sleeping bags, the diapers, the wipes, the EVERYTHING but the kitchen sink. That was one of the really great things about Christmas. I know our families are deeply offended by this. But WAIT. My next admission will make it all better. The LAME part of Christmas was not getting in the car and seeing family! We missed you all terribly! We missed the UT snow, the AZ sunshine and clear blue skies, we missed aunts, uncles, cousins, brothers, sisters and parents. We missed my Mom's homemade soup on Christmas Eve and the beauty of Mt Timpanogos in falling snow. Now don't get me wrong, like I said we had a wonderful Christmas. It just would have put an extra sparkle on the day to have spent it with family. We are very grateful that Darin's parents swooped in and saved the season by coming to visit us on the 29th. We had a mini Christmas again the night they came and it really was great!

One of the highlights of December for us was doing a 12 days of Christmas for a couple in our ward. I don't mention this to make ourselves look good, instead I share it because it definitely made Christmas SO FUN. We chose a couple that we love so much who are amazing. They weren't giving each other gifts at all. They were taking the money they would have spent on each other and spent it on a family in need. So we decided to give a little cheer to them. The kids had a blast taking turns ringing the doorbell and running. In fact, Sarah asked me today if we could do it again tonight. I hope this will be a tradition we ALWAYS do every year.

Other highlights of the 2008 Christmas Season:

1. Darin's work party at the Lamplighter Inn. It was actually fun this year. And we went to see Twilight afterwards. I LOVE DATES WITH DARIN!

2. Making granola. We had fun delivering it this year to friends and neighbors (although they fall into the same category).

3. Eating all the goodies. Especially Taija Stagg's plate. It is something to look forward to all year.

4. Abby and Sarah's Christmas parent day at kindergarten. Darin got to go!

5. Shopping at the last second. I got myself a douzy of a kidney infection right before Christmas. So I was just getting to my shopping two nights before Christmas. It is a highlight only because I want to remember to never, ever wait that long again. :o)

6. Grandma and Papa Phippen coming

7. Getting Christmas cards from family and friends. Wahooo! Great job everyone, especially those we haven't heard from in years! We won't mention names of those we STILL haven't heard from. LOL!

8. The Christmas tree remained standing. Although the poor thing was torturized this year by little girls building tall slides with the couch cushions while Mommy read "The Host" in bed on a Sunday afternoon. We won't mention that Daddy was snoring in the same room and didn't hear the poor tree moaning as it was the designated home plate. Duct tape and super glue might be the only way it still stands next year.
9. Christmas Eve and the story of Jesus Christ's birth.

10. Caroling with Ellie. She said, "Merry Christmas" so CUTE this year. And one night in the car while we were looking at lights she said, "Santa says, Ho Ho Ho!" It was darling!

The gang waiting to see the Christmas tree and presents on Christmas morning.

Santa really did come!

Sarah and Abby are sporting their capes that their cousins sent. Sarah and Jill, you are so creative and talented!!!!! They are so dang cute.

We hope your Christmas was just as eventful and just as fun!

Eeeee Gads!

Holy cow! Holy cow! Holy Cow! How did it become December? Yikes! (that is one too many exclamation points in one line, but hey I FEEL the exclamations!) I am not panicking. I am not panicking. If I say it one more time does it work like it does for Dorothy?

Last night was our Young Women in Excellence. You can tell from the way my house looks that this event has consumed us since Sunday. It would appear that either A) a bomb went off B) the washing machine exploded C) a tornado ripped through D) all of the above It is definitely D! But hey at least the clothes all over everywhere are mostly clean. We just get dressed out in the living room every morning instead of our rooms. Who needs clothes in dressers? I was so grateful for the help of all of the young women leaders. I feel so much support from all of them. It feels so good to know that we can call on each other at anytime. What a blessing! Heavenly Father really knew what he was doing when he formed presidencies. And I truly feel that the Lord inspired these certain women to be leaders for these girls in the Visalia 1st Ward at this exact time. They are amazing women. The night went well. We had all but one girl bring a project to display a value experience they accomplished. I was THRILLED. It took a lot of reminding and work to get these girls to be prepared, but in the end they all came through. They are fabulous girls. Their projects were varied and so awesome. I forgot my camera so I hope that a father with a camera will remember to email me pictures. We even had a laurel get her young womanhood recognition award too. We had her last YW president speak about her, we gave her a picture of the Fresno temple, and then the bishop awarded her the medallion. She then spoke. What a great job she did! I don't know how her parents contained their pride, because I felt so proud of her! All of the speakers did great and WHAT A RELIEF to have it done! Now on to New Beginnings. And now maybe I should focus on my family. I still don't even have a tree up!!!!!!!! This is totally going against all Amy rules. I am fanatical about holidays and decorating. I feel tired this year. I need to snap out of it. My kids are going crazy that we are not decorated. I don't blame them one bit.

Thanksgiving was one of those I don't want to forget. We so enjoyed having Darin's sister's family here with us from Heber City, UT. They have 6 of the most fun, well behaved, kind, helpful and sweet kids ever. Our kids are still lamenting their departure. We really enjoyed talking, playing, visiting and of course EATING! I was impressed that we actually had dinner only an hour later than planned. :o) It was delicious. I dare say that I have never heard of the turkey being cooked like the Rhees family cooks it, but it was darn good. A new turkey tradition! I have yet to download pictures so look for some.. . . . .later. And yes we did hit Black Friday. We had to! We didn't have hardly any presents yet for Abby and Sarah! And Black Friday was their birthday. It was crazy, but not too bad. We mostly bought clothes. I know, boring. But we can't go around naked can we? Well Darin wouldn't mind if one of us did. Hee hee. (he is going to kill me when he reads this! Ha, we'll see how long it takes for him to read it. If I die soon you'll know why!) And by the way, all my racy comments are for you Darren. Well not for you, but in honor of you. I learn from the best.

Well this has been super duper quick. Homework has got to be done. And dinner. If my kids have to have soup again for dinner there might be a revolt. They love soup, but even they can hit overload. Someday I'll read all your blogs too. I am light years behind. I miss you all.
Take care!!!

Birthday Fun Times TWO

Having twins is a phenomenon. It is fascinating, inspiring, exhausting, troublesome, fun, exciting, worrisome, indescribable and most importantly it is a job that is doubly rewarding. I hope that Sarah and Abby or Abby and Sarah (I have to say it both ways, since they both want to be first) will always love being a twin. They love it now and I hope we find ways to help them always love having a sister so close in so many ways.

It is hard to believe that 5 years ago today I was in Phoenix, Arizona, laid out in a bed dying. Okay not dying, but well yea kind of dying. I had gone into the hospital on November 26th for a routine stress test. It was the day before Thanksgiving and I had left the house in disarray, but with plans to return, make my portion of Thanksgiving dinner and enjoy the holidays. Well I knew something was uncomfortable, but at that point I was uncomfortable all the time. I felt so TIGHT. There seemed to be no way my stomach could stretch anymore. Abby and Sarah agreed! I was contracting every minute and dilated to a 3. I was told there was no way I was leaving. Sarah was breech and Abby was transverse. No hope for a regular delivery for me. I was on magnesium immediately. There is nothing else like it either. For 48 hours it was pure torture. Nausea, vomiting, double vision, blinding headaches, loss of appetite, and complete loss of motion. I was a beached whale. I couldn't even lift myself to turn over. Darin sat in the corner freezing to death (magnesium makes you HOT!). It was funny Darin ate dinner with the family at home and then ate my Thanksgiving dinner at the hospital! He had to do something besides roll his wife over and over. Oh and well try to help me use the bed pan! Can you imagine??? I couldn't hardly lift my arm, let alone my gargantuan belly and bum! LOL! By Friday evening, my body was at toxic levels of mag. I couldn't process it out fast enough. There was nothing to do but take me off. It was the most peaceful hour of sleep I had. And then BAM, we were having an emergency C-section. I was contracting too fast and too hard. I can still remember lying on the table contracting so hard I was involuntarily moaning. At 9:39 and 9:41, the most beautiful babies were born. I was so relieved to hear crying! Sarah came first, weighing 4 lbs 13 ounces. Abby came next. She was NOT happy to be taken from her nice warm home. She scowled! But it was a good thing, she was small at 3 lbs 10oz. We needed her to be a fighter! I got to see them and then off Darin went to be with them in the NICU. I felt so much relief. And so excited to have them out. We were blessed to bring them home just two weeks later. They were 6 weeks early and we didn't have to intubate them or even do oxygen cannulas. It was still a little scary at times, but all in all we felt the Lord's blessings flow without end. And to this day the love we feel for these two beautiful girls is without end.

Our Sarah

1. Loves to smile

2. Loves to shake her hips (she has some moves! I am not scared. Yet.)

3. Loves to write and read

4. Loves to wear skirts
5. Loves school

6. Loves markers

7. Loves animals

8. Loves soccer

9. Loves Jesus

10. Loves food

Happy 5th Birthday Sarah! Hugs and kisses for you! We love you so very much!

Our Abby

1. Loves to ask people their names

2. Loves to answer the phone by saying "I'm Abby what is your name?"

3. Loves to read

4. Loves to smile and giggle

5. Loves dessert. Loves dessert. Loves dessert

6. Loves to get in bed with Sarah or Mom

7. Loves movies

8. Loves to be friendly, even to perfect strangers. (I am AFRAID. :o))

9. Loves to dress up

10. Loves Jesus

5 Big Birthday hugs and kisses for you Abby on your 5th Birthday! We love you so very much!

Good Article

Do I know how to do this? My Mom sent this to me and I wanted you all to be able to read it. So here it is:

Moms_have_no_time.jpg (image)

Quick Change of Heart

I thought it hilarious that after I wrote the post and said I was going to enjoy the journey, that it was but a mere 4 hours later that I said, "I hate this job." LOL. I am laughing at myself now! It makes me laugh. I suppose I am only human. But it was good that I had written that because I was able to remind myself to smile and love my girls. I have decided that when you write something down it has a greater impact on you. I had shared with ya'll that I was going to be happy and darn it, I am. (I sound convincing don't I?)

I also must admit that I love my family doctor. He called last night to see how Kate was doing. Yes, he called me at home! He has me hooked! Now if only Kate really was better. She started having diarrhea this morning so that is not going to help the dehydration. She just got a blessing (mucho gracias to Bret and Ryan) so I hope that is the beginning of the end! We have faith! (aren't you glad to know all about the bodily functions going on at my house??!?)

Laundry is calling. Of course it is ALWAYS calling. I have unfinished souper Saturday crafts to do too. And by golly for once I am going to finish them. No more unfinished enrichment crafts at this house! :o)
A random picture of Ellie at 6 months. My personal reminder that they really do grow up too quickly!

Enjoy your weekend my friends!

Happy Birthday David

Happy Birthday David! I am a day late and a dollar short. But we love you still! Hope you had a great day!

Moving forward

Grr, I know I am lame. You should see my real journal. I should feel really bad about missing all of the days I had committed to post. And I do feel a tad bad. But in all reality, I tried and just couldn't fit anymore in the last few days. I have come to accept that my life is not my own right now. I belong to four little girls, a hunky husband, 28 young women, 6 leaders, a fabulous ward, ooodles of brothers and sisters and oodles of nieces and nephews, a school PTA, my kids' classrooms, friends, RS sisters, the washing machine and dryer, the vacuum and various other household appliances, some of which should get more of my attention. Amazingly so, I am okay with that. Am I going a little nuts? Sure. I love nuts. :o) But I am okay and will be okay. I can make it. And I am just plain going to remind myself on an hourly basis that EVERYTHING just plain won't get done. It is an impossiblity. All I can do is my best. And if I can't live with that fact, then I better figure it out quick! I am going to ENJOY the journey!

Natalie, I haven't read everything, but I am so impressed and have so enjoyed keeping up with you. You are doing a great job, and I think it is awesome. You are my inspiration!

Prayers for Katie girl who once again is under the weather. We must need to pump more vitamins in her. She has had a 103.5 fever, sore throat, and nausea. The scariest part, was she almost fainted in the doctor's office. She was dehydrated. We are pumping her with more gatorade! It seems to be helping. Prayers for Regan too. And for the Patterson's, the Wilson's and the Reynoso's. We pray for jobs for all of you!! And for anyone else I am missing!

Oodles of praise for my kiddos. They did so great on their report cards. I was not worried about Kate, she is a super student and cares so much about school. She did great with not a single 2 and lots of 4's and 3's. Yahoo! Abby also surprised us with 4's on her writing and reading. Way to go Abby! She works hard and we'll be sure to push that hard work towards her listening skills as well! LOL! Sarah also passed with flying colors in Math and Reading. I was so worried about how the twins would do, but they are not only holding their own, but doing great. It felt good to walk away from all three conferences with teachers who seem to really enjoy having them in class. They are great teachers! We are so grateful for their patience and love. :o)

And a shout out of gratitude to my new leaders that were called on Sunday. It feels good to get working, and to do it with Elizabeth, Jill, Brenda, Kristi, Cyndy and Mandy. (I have to say their names, so that I can remember in 50 years who I first served with, although I can't imagine forgetting women that you work so closely with) Thanks so much for your willingness to serve. I will be forever grateful.

A little note of love to my family. I haven't gotten a chance to write an email either so this is my I love you Mac and Phip. families! We miss you all!

Lastly, Go Cougars! Knock them Utes DOWN this Saturday!

For the record

My Mom is worried that you all think we are fighting. Since I said I miss you and call me in one of my posts. No such worries. We are not fighting nor do we ever. :o) I just hadn't talked to her in a few days and was going through withdrawals. It's all good folks.

PS does this post count for tomorrow? LOL!

Ahhh Shoot!

Ugh! Failed, again! I tried. Really I did. I was up half the night on Saturday and still didn't get everything done I needed to. Obviously, since I didn't blog! I need a day to last 48 hours instead of 24. Would that help me? I could cheat and post date these . . . . Okay okay cheaters never prosper. Hee hee.

Well back on the horse. We did have a good weekend. Kate didn't score, but they won. She got her trophy and was named MVP of her team. I am sad that they chose to have her soccer party on a Sunday. So she got her trophy at the end of the game. She had a great season and we had fun watching! Sarah and Abby both played great too. Sarah scored 3 goals! And Abby danced for her and cheered. LOL!!!! I am laughing because Abby danced around the field and played with her ponytails more than she kicked the ball, but at least she was out there. She did great in practice, but when it comes to the game, she doesn't really care who wins. All day Sarah said, "I scored 3 goals!!" And Abby said, "I had 0 goals." But she said it so matter of fact it was funny. I don't think she really cared one bit. Maybe next year. And maybe we should get her in dance classes instead. Hee hee. Sarah did great. She has great offense and defense. She even let some of her teammates score! In the past, she would the ball from her teammates and score "for them." She did a good job of not stealing and still scoring. It was great. And now we can actually do something around this house on a Saturday!

The primary program was yesterday. Each of our girls did great. We could hear AND understand each of their parts. We were proud! I did find it funny that we only had Ellie on the bench and you would have thought we had all 4. She was a stinker. Crying, pouting, shouting, whining, and general grumpiness! She kept saying, "I tired. I tired." Really child, I never would have guessed. Next year, I am sending Ellie up on the stand and keeping the other three. :o) The only cute thing she did was say, "All done." After almost every song the kids sang.

A final warning. Don't drop a frozen tub of cool whip on your foot. It would seem that since it is fluffy soft and white that it would feel like nothing landing on your foot. But frozen, it turns into a rock solid weapon. Ouch!

Bits and Pieces

1. Abby in her prayer last night: "Bless the bald eagle. It protects of us from the Statue of Liberty. And bless Mr. Bush who lives in the White House."

2. I love Fridays. NO HOMEWORK! I am bad aren't I? I should not admit such terrible truths. But let's face it, we'd all rather hangin' out with our kids doing fun things. And yes that just might include something productive like reading! Shhhh don't tell my kids or their teachers I said that homework is the pits. :o)

3. Bob and Camille, could you just get here already? I slipped and told the girls that you are coming for Thanksgiving and their birthdays. What a loon I am. What was I thinking? Today they said it is November 7th, are they on their way??

4. Thanks again Melissa for the award. How do I link?? HELP!

5. Mom, call me. I miss you!

Challenge that has already failed

Natalie, It has been so busy that I have fallen away. I just got a chance to catch up and read your blog. Man, I had missed so much! And you put a challenge out to write everyday of this month. Well I have failed already, but my goal is for here on out. Why not? I love to talk. Endlessly. :o) And I am sure I will have such profound things to say that you will all go crazy with anticipation until you get a chance to read my rantings. Okay enough snickering. You all know it will just be a miracle if I write everyday, let alone something of value. LOL!

So my first quick wandering thoughts. I can't adequately express my gratitude that Prop 8 and the other props all passed. There really is good left in the world. You should have seen me on election day. I was going crazy. We were driving around leaving door hangers and knocking on doors trying to ensure that every voter got out. We were on the phone until 7:30 at night offering rides to polls. I had one hand stirring dinner on the stove, one hand directing children, and a phone between my chin and shoulder. It was a mad house. We spent hours and hours on this. HUGE CHEERS TO RALPH JORDAN AND GEOFF HORWARD. (I just know you've earned yourselves an extra big mansion in heaven someday, just for your efforts. Lorile, YOU TOO!!!!) I am so grateful the Lord blessed our efforts. Our county was the highest voting county in CA for prop 8. What a great effort our local churches (many of them) made and what a great city we live in. There still are morals and values to be found and treasured.

Sarah. Poor Sarah. Back to UTI problems this week. Abby seems to be better, but Sarah, what are we to do. The urologist is out of town. There is a down side to living in a smaller city, nowhere near a large metropolitan area. My medicine cabinet is full of medicines that are so far not helping as much as we would hope. We are switching back to a previous one. What a mess. Prayers for her little bladder and for her heart. I realized today how much she is personally struggling with this on an emotional level, and my heart hurt for her.

Today, when I put Ellie down for her nap, she kept telling me, I luv vou Mommy. Over and over. It just sent the good feelings flowing. She is a tender mercy amongst the storm.

Over the last few days, I have noticed how much Abby loves to read and act. She has such intonation in her voice when she reads. The other night she was quoting a movie and I was so impressed by her rendition. Maybe we have an actress on our hands. It is so cute. Sarah was telling a story about school, which of course involved going to the bathroom. Bodily functions are so fascinating at this age and we have such malfunctioning bodily functions, that it is a common topic at our home. :o) Sarah said, "I went to the bathroom and potty came out in the toilet. " To that Abby said, "Oh good gracious!" I don't even know if that is funny to you all, maybe it is a "you had to be there moment.". They are just so silly. Just the WAY they say things makes ME almost wet my pants. They are a HOOOOOOT.

Kate had her last soccer practice last night. I am so proud of her. She has had the season of a lifetime. She scored at least one goal almost every game. Way to go Kate! This Saturday is her last game as a "Lady Shark" and we can't wait to cheer her on. It has been way fun too, watching Sarah and Abby. Sarah has an intesity that I didn't expect. She is crazy about getting the ball. We have had to tell her not to take the ball from her own teammate! Abby on the other hand, was suprisingly scared to death of soccer. Even after watching Kate for years now. But she has gotten over some of her fear and even scored a goal. We have seen such an improvement in all of our girls. It is a blast! Now, don't get me wrong I won't be too sad to have my Saturdays back though!!!!!!

See, I have babbled. But I am seriously going to enjoy reading this in ten years. I am so glad! Just skip past the next time I write and just look at pictures. Oppps I didn't even include a picture. Too funny! Here you go: A picture of my Grandpa Macdonald and my girls. He would have had such a strong opinion on this last election. He was so informed and so proud of America. If he could I think he would be writing Barack Obama right now to voice his opinion! I love you Grandpa and miss you and Grandma. I think of you often. I am stopping. Really I am.

Vote Vote Vote

And Pray for Prop 8!