We all have our stuff.

Man I've been frustrated lately. I'm getting over it because no good ever comes from feeling sorry for yourself but boy howdy I'm ready to scream sometimes.

A little background... I was born with a disorder called arthrogryposis or AMC (arthrogryposis multiplex congenita). For the layman, I have severe limited flexibility in both hips and my right knee. Now normally I don't even really notice it. I have always adapted to doing things my own way. I still exercise pretty heavily and only notice when I've done a lot of walking. However, lately my left hip has been KILLING me!

Soooo... I called around today to find a good orthopedist. As much as I hate to admit it, i may be in the market for a hip replacement sooner rather than later. I found what I thought was going to be a good doc.

Here's the conversation with his nurse:

Me: "Hi, I'd like to make an appointment"

Her: "You do realize that dr. so-and-so only deals with total knee and hip replacements?"

Me: "Yes I read that but I was wondering.. I have arthrogryposis... does this doctor deal with that?"

Her: "Arthro-what? I'll ask the doctor tomorrow when he's in the office but in all my 25 years in orthopedics I have never heard of that?

Me: "Really? It's also referred to as AMC.."

Her: "Nope but I'll ask him and call you back tomorrow.. and by the way the first available new patient appointment is in April."

Bite me.

Goodbye Level 4!

Morgan finished her level 4 season in style. She earned a personal best all around score of 38.1!! Her scores were 9.5 on floor, 9.7 on vault (personal best), 9.5 on beam (another personal best) and 9.4 on bars! They awarded placement medals at this meet and she earned 3rd place on vault, 2nd on floor, beam, bars and in the all around competition. It was an exciting meet! Her team also won the 2nd place team trophy.









Morgan started training for level 5 in November and is very eager to keep improving her skills for competition season in the fall. We're so proud of you Morgan!

Why do i have to be the grown up??

Maya spent some of her birthday money today. (Thanks to both sets of grandfolks for the generosity!!) It's so not fair that she gets THIS!!! Video after naptime.
**Edited to add video below

New Video

I went to practice tonight and took some footage.
This is from my new camera... Morgan's kip... I think it works pretty good but I'm not sure about using it for the meet. I don't know how much detail it will get from a far distance... I'm going to bring both cameras and bribe another parent to use the other one. I'm obsessive, aren't I? Nathan seems to think so...

My New Toy!!!

I got a Flip Video Ultra Camera today! I got it at amazon.com for a nice low price and free shipping. I can't wait to try it out at Morgan's meet this weekend. It's a snap to upload to youtube.

I think I'm hot!

I think I like me as an M&M! Morph yourself here! Thanks to Tib and Natalie for the fun link.

Four eyes are better than two!

Morgan got glasses today! We think she looks so adorable in them! She has already commented on how much she sees better and how much different everything looks. She can read things from far away that she couldn't before and notices detail on things better. I think she picked a cute pair and we're glad that she can see better :)

Even if you don't love soccer, you Americans can appreciate this.

(see #15 in the upper right corner? That's FC Dallas player Drew Moor)
The United States National Men's Team Defeats Sweden
USA 2
SWEDEN 0

Most of the guys this time were from the MLS and it's obvious to me that the United States is catching up with the level of play from players around the world. It's taking some time but it's happening. Cool Beans.

Dessert or Breakfast?

Hmm... both??? Either way, they are delicious and I actually had the self control to only try a couple of bites.

Ooey-Gooey Pancake S'mores

2 cups Original Bisquick® mix
1 1/3 cups milk
2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 egg
1/3 cup graham cracker crumbs
7 tablespoons marshmallow creme
7 tablespoons milk chocolate chips

1. Heat griddle or skillet; grease if necessary. Stir Bisquick mix, milk, sugar, vanilla and egg until blended. Pour batter by slightly less than 1/4 cupfuls onto hot griddle.
2. Cook until bubbles break on surface. Sprinkle about 1 teaspoon cracker crumbs over each pancake. Turn; cook until golden. Remove from griddle.
3. Spread about 1 tablespoon marshmallow creme over the crumbs side of each of 7 pancakes; sprinkle about 1 tablespoon chocolate chips over marshmallow creme on each. Top with another pancake, crumbs side down. Enjoy! (try to control yourself!!)

Maya's Milestone!!!

Check it out!!!! She did this all by herself!!

Monica

Our friend Monica from Scotland visited us this past week. The kids were just in love with her. We had a really good visit! We didn't do much but we sure enjoyed each other's company. If anyone knows a good single guy in his 30s/early 40s, she's available and in Utah next week!! Just look at how cute she is!!

My little American Girl

Dallas has recently opened an American Girl boutique and bistro. Don't let it's quaint little name fool you. It's a monster of a store with many an expensive doll with accessories galore! If I were independently wealthy I'd consider exposing my kids to the wonders of this retail empire.

For my newly-turned 4 year old, however, what is required for her is some one on one time with mom. So, we passed all of the merchandise to the second floor where the bistro is housed. We had reservations for the birthday girl. She was presented with her very own birthday certificate and sticker, was allowed to choose a "loaner doll" to accompany us to lunch and then we were promptly seated. Even her doll was given her very own menu.

We had a splendid time and even enjoyed a special birthday dessert. It was a memory I won't likely forget and one I hope that she remembers as well. And, just so you don't think I'm the meanest mom in the universe, we did have a look around the store and Maya played with quite a few of the display dolls. Thankfully she didn't request to bring any of them home. Here are a few pictures.

The Original Goochie Master

We don't know how she was nicknamed "Goochie Master" but it started with a deranged version of Morgan saying "Coochie coochie coo!" The name stuck and we still love our little goochie master even though she prefers to ignore her nickname now :)

Maya turns 4 today! We partied earlier in the week but today she is a big 4 year old.

Here's a trip down memory lane.

Meeting Daddy for the first time

Mommy getting to meet the baby she had wanted for a LONG time.

There were tears. Lots of tears.

Six weeks old at home..

One Year

Two years - yes she requested a darth vader cake... don't ask.

Three Years

At lunch with mom at the American Girl Bistro.. more on that later.

Happy Birthday Goochie! We love your little squeezable biscuits!

The OTHER reason to love soccer...

When you just can't put little miss i-don't-want-to-nap to sleep you just pop on a game and she's out like a light. The crowd just lulls her to sleep with their constant noise. Thank you , you most amazing sport.

A girl and her daddy...

It's no secret that Maya and her daddy share a special bond. It's really sweet to watch (and helpful at times because daddy also has a little more patience.. mom is working on that). This picture is from Maya's thanksgiving feast at preschool last fall and although daddy made the rest of us late, Maya wouldn't have had it any other way. God certainly does have a plan, doesn't he?

In other news, this Sunday Maya became a sunbeam! For those of you not familiar with the term, it simply means that she moved up in the childrens' program at church to an older class with more learning and less play... although it's still fun! She was so excited that she was skipping down the hall announcing to everyone that would listen, "I'm a SUNBEAM!"

Soccer vs Basketball

vs

I' ve been thinking about this quite a bit. I have loved basketball for a long time. Without my physical challenges I would have maybe pursued participating in it much more. I love to watch and I love to play it. Living in San Antonio only fueled that :)

Marrying a Scottish lad peaked my interest in futbol (aka soccer) and I have learned to love that game too. So.. without further adieu, here are my lists. (I know you are all on the edge of your seats!)

Top 5 reasons why soccer is better..

1. For 15$ a game you can sit practically on the field. No binoculars required. The players actually wave at YOU.
2. You have a hope in heck of meeting your star players. (even in the supermarket!)
3. Stadium seating doesn't make you feel like you are going to fall to your death.
4. Getting on the jumbo-tron actually happens!
5. Free Parking!

Top 5 reasons why basketball is better..

1. Really fast moving action! The game is constantly exciting and can change at any second!
2. Games every other day if you want them. These guys play hard and often.
3. Electric fan atmosphere. Nothing can beat the announcement of the starting lineup even!
4. Star power. These guys are seriously famous. (and TALL)
5. Fan gear. Oh the selection!!!

So, in conclusion... we have bought reasonably priced half-season tickets to FC Dallas but if I were independently wealthy and had my own plane I'd also seriously consider sitting courtside in the AT&T center. I just KNOW that this was all information that will be useful in your lives.

As usual I'm late to the party but I'm here!

I really do love New Years. The chance to evaluate how you are doing and make changes is so appealing to me. It feels like a fresh start. I am not one who doesn't make changes because failure is imminent. I love a challenge. I don't expect to be perfect but I have to keep trying! I am going to keep the list short but some things I have already been working on so it really is a large list!

1. Daily scripture reading. (this includes individual and family group study) I have already made a chart for the family and to "keep it real" I should mention that we already missed a day but we're not quitting. We are going to read twice today and make up for yesterday. We would love for this to be a daily habit ALL the time, not just on days that we have a routine.

2. Temple attendance. I made it 4 times this year and met my goal. I'm adding 2 more visits this year. 6 times is do-able so i'll start there.

3. Lose the holiday weight and maintain again this year as well as tone up. I'm about 10 lbs or so more than my lowest weight so after I take that off I'd like to work on weight training. My silly tennis elbow is bugging me so i need to work on getting that better too.

4. Quit biting my nails/cuticles. It's silly but necessary.

Wish me luck. I am feeling happy about this list and have other things I will work on too such as 72 hour kits, replenishing food storage, family home evening (which we're not too bad at), spending more time with the kids and less time yelling at them. These are already in progress, however.

Happy New Year!!!!

Can you hear the screaming coming from my house? The joy that comes when you find a bargain??? The hubby let me out of my house today to hit the outlet mall for 4 glorious hours!!! Oh the sales!! Ann Taylor, Gap, Eddie Bauer, Adidas... you all had me at hello. Thank you mom and dad and inlaws for some much enjoyed spending $ that is now hanging in my closet.

Here's to a new 2008 wardrobe!