Where I've Been and Other Exciting News You Always Wanted to Hear

So, I don't usually like to use my blog as a journaling tool as much as a my thoughts on random items tool, but I know that so many of you have been wondering where I am and why I've been silent and well, if any authorities have come to take my children away like that "annonymous" poster said would be such a good idea.

Where: I've been in Utah the last week and a half. My grandma was sweet enough to fly down to Phoenix to drive with me and the kids to Utah. Her help and the double DVD player that Melissa loaned me saved my life. Wait! I feel a song coming on "You are the Wind Beneath My Wings....Oh! The wind beneath my wings."

Why: Women's Conference was May 1-2 at BYU. It was amazing. We were able to first hear from Sheri Dew who is one of the most motivational speakers for women that I've ever heard. Seriously, if you can't feel inspired after hearing her speak, you may need to check your pulse. Once again, there is much credit due here. Thursday, my cousin Kelli watched my kids along with her own, so that I could attend. Friday, my sister in law Sabina watched my kids with hers so that I could attend again. Let's see, another appropriate song..."We are family! I've got all my sisters with me. We are family! Get up everybody and sing!" (Actually, neither woman is directly my sister, but they are my family and their help allowed me to have a wonderful two days.)

So, if Women's Conference was only two days where have I been?

Well, I decided it would be a lot of fun to let Sabina take care of me and my kids while we got sick at her house. On Tuesday (I think that's when it started) Ryanna woke up in the middle of the night and threw up all night. I stayed up with her and helped to rinse the throw up bowl and try to offer comfort. Owen did his usual trick of this trip and woke up at 5:30 Arizona time allowing me just about 4 hours of sleep for the entire night. Sabina was kind enough to let me sleep for several more hours the next day. Ryanna continued to throw up for the remainder of the next day.

On Thursday I felt really sick and my head hurt all day, so once again, Sabina let me get some additional rest in the afternoon. Ryanna was restored to full health and ran around and played with her cousins.

On Friday, my grandma flew back out to SLC and drove back with us to Kanab, Utah where we spent the night and I felt like throwing up all night. I never did throw up and I managed to watch the end of the Jazz win over the Lakers. I see they won again today--way to go.

Saturday, we woke up early and started the drive the rest of the way to Phoenix. Owen pooped all the way up his back and down to his toes. None of this was noticed until my grandma had pressed him firmly and lovingly to her chest and coated herself in poo. I waited in the car while she changed him and herself. We made it to Phoenix where I dropped my grandma off at the airport, so she could fly back to Colorado and I drove home, took a bath and slept for two hours while Derek played with the kids and brought me random items of food I tried to eat.

Today, my energy level is slightly better than it was earlier today, but typing is about as much strenuous energy as I can exert. I did go to sacrament because I wanted to see Ryanna sing a Mother's Day song for me (she rocked!) and noticed that I had developed a weird rash on my arms. The woman sitting next to me said it's some flu virus going around and that her grand daughter had it earlier this week. Did I mention Owen is sick?

A few side notes:

1. Yesterday, nothing, absolutely nothing except for peppermint lifesavers sounded good, so that's what I ate from early morning until I got home and had a Jamba Juice. Oh water, that was the only other item that sounded good. Peppermint and water--who knew? I can also highly recommend Butter Rum Lifesavers. They will refresh you and allow you to stay temple worthy.



2. If you do have to be sick at someone's home, it's really good to be sick at Sabina's house because she is miserable during most of her pregnancies, so she'll offer you a lot of sympathy and let you get the sleep you need.



3. Women's Conference was completely motivational and the speakers reminded all of us that as mothers the only and best place for us to be is in the home with our children.



4. The Museum of Art at BYU is awesome and it was incredibly refreshing to study art again in some small measure like I was able to do in Spain.



5. Kelli is an incredible cook and her raviolis in browned butter sauce were absolutely delicious (so was the garlic bread) and then on fast Sunday, while she was fasting, she made us fruit smoothies (please post the recipe Kell!), ham and pancakes. If I lived with this woman I would weigh close to 300 pounds.

Okay, that's about it. Please let Owen's sickness pass soon...