Crazy & overwhelmed

Mike & I were just talking about how overwhelmed we feel right now. I'm not sure how to explain it...Mike says he just feels like everything is going to explode! There is no real big issue or reason for this feeling. Maybe it just means we need a vacation! Right now we are worried about Brandon. I took him to KidCare on Saturday because he kept digging in his left ear and crying. Ear infection...of course. But, this is our first since his tubes were put in last April. He also had huge tonsils, so on the antibiotics we go. Well, today his ear is just oozing puss out of it. Fun, eh? Then, this afternoon while I was teaching lessons, he starts just screaming and digging in the right ear! So, I forced motrin in him to relieve the pain and to get us through lessons. Then, I notice his left ear (the one we diagnosed on Saturday) was oozing green gunk! Sooo bad. Back to KidCare with the girls in tow. Two hours later we have treated him with the antibiotic shot...that I have repeat for the next 2 days! Oh, I just hate when the kids are hurting! We're hoping this shot works or we'll be back at our E.N.T.

Friday night we went to Mike's Dad's retirement party at the Joseph Smith Memorial Bldg. It was supposed to be ICS's Christmas Party (yes, in January), but they turned it into a Retirement Roast for Jim. They asked Mike to roast his Dad and he did a great job! Before Mike was up, four of the former owners got up and did their speeches and were a little (ok, a lot) dry. Mike got up there and woke us back up and was really funny! One huge joke is that Jim has a cell phone, but never turns it on. Mike asked the room if anyone had ever reached his dad on his cell and only one person out of about 100 people had! So, Mike gave him a play cell phone and said it will work about as well as the one he has now! After Mike, the new president, Tony, did his 'roast' which included giving Jim this pimp daddy coat for his new 'night job'. The best part was when Jim was saying his 'good-bye' and talking about Heavenly Father while wearing the pimp coat! It was a fun night and we are grateful that the new owners of ICS were so kind to invite us. They even flew Mike's brothers (and families) who live back east in for the occasion. We walked into the dinner while Jim was speaking and he was so surprised and touched that he couldn't speak! Fun to be a part of and good food, too!


The next day we were really wanting to spend some time with the brothers before they headed back home. Sad, but the only time we could get together was for breakfast! We never knew it, but one of our fave restaurants, Market Street (downtown) is open for breakfast! We lucked out because it was also Crab Fest and we had the most delicious crab omelets and crab cakes! Yummy, fresh squeezed oj, too. But, breakfast wasn't complete until Mike and Steven 'spilled' water on each other on an unfortunate spot on each others pants! We really miss these guys and it was so much fun to be able to spend a little time with them. It may be awhile before we see Steve & Hill or Doug & Cath because both families are having babies in the next few months. Our cute girls hamming it up!

Our girls have been in a singing/performing group and have been working on 'The Wizard of Oz'. Amanda was a munchkin-part of the lollipop guild, and Sydney was a munchkin-part of the lullaby league. They were both castle guards..the ooooeeeeeooo people, and part of the ensemble in the Emerald City. They were so cute! They gave one performance at a stake center on Saturday, and another Monday night at the Egyptian Theatre in Ogden. This is the same place that my Grandma Wanda Gibson worked as a teenager! It made the night a little more special because of that. The professional lighting people were running the show and it really was awesome! Grandma & Grandpa Arv came up and a few friends came to see the show. After we got some 'eats' at TGI Fridays and the kids were wired! Late night, but really fun to celebrate their hard work.

Sydney right in the middle!

Amanda in the hat and black shirt, front row!



Girls in the Egyptian Theatre with Brandon and Sydney's friend, Abi O.

Now, tomorrow night I am having a piano recital! I have 22 students performing and I'm hoping all goes well. It's a little stressful for me! I'm still needing a treat to give the students for participating and their hard work and can't think of anything to give them. I guess Brandon and I will just have to cruise around a store tomorrow! Wish me luck!