This one isn't removable!

It all started last summer. Our house had caught on fire, we were living in another home and were preparing for a trip to a family reunion in Utah. We'd been trying to get out the door all morning. I was frustrated. The luggage shell on the top of the car wouldn't close. We stuffed it too full (9 people's belongings for 5 days). I'd had it, so I climbed on top of the Excursion, slammed the shell closed, and came back down...much too quickly and not at all gracefully. We still went on our trip. But three weeks later I finally had it x-rayed and had broken it in two places. Doctors put me in a boot. Which I wore faithfully...except when it wasn't convenient. And it healed. But it still hurt. I went back. Cortizone shots (more painful than child birth and no I did not have epidurals for all of them, so I know) It worked! For a while. Then back for more shots. Again it worked, but not for quite as long. Decided I needed a second opinion. Got an MRI and found that the tendon had separated and the cortizone only made it worse. So lucky me...one month with a 6 lb piece of (un-removeable)pink plaster to drag around. But my very favorite part....wait for it...Lovenox shots daily to ward off blood clots. Moral of the story...WEAR THE BOOT!

A 3 day break???

My friend posted this question...What would you do with a three day break. No kids, no hubby, just free time.

I can dream and say I'd shop, paint the bathroom, organize the basement, maybe even have lunch with a friend, or get a manicure.

But I think if I were to be truthful, I'd just go nuts! I'm never without kids, except dates with my sweetheart. I feel anxious and worried when they are not around. The school day is a little long for me, and I still have two at home. Maybe I'm a control freak. I'm sure they would be in capable hands, I wouldn't leave them otherwise. I'm still struggling with Tres beinging gone, and he's in the Lords hands, how more capable is that!! Now Zach's about to leave and I sigh every time I think about it.
So to me, even a day would be weird, but three, nope, not for me.
(I would like to sleep through the night once though, haven't done that in years!)

The Call

Can you beleive it?! Two missionaries.
Yep, Zachary got his call on Friday. With family and friends gathered at home or via the phone, he opened his letter and read us every word...seriously, even the address. Wish I had a picture of Dan's face when Zach said, "Dear Elder Huston, we regret to inform you..." He has his dad's sence of humor! He reports to the Provo MTC on June 22nd, and will then leave for Boise, Idaho to serve two years for the Lord. Congratulations Zach.

You can watch the video at www.http//youtube.com/watch?v=tBnm4Wymrxo

Merry Christmas

The year is nearly over, and what a year it’s been!

On January 24th, Tres got his mission call to serve in the Church and Family History Mission in Salt Lake City. He was to report on February 5th.

Twelve days after the call, Elder Huston, Mom, Dad and a very sick baby Jackson all flew to Salt Lake to drop him off.

February 17th Mom and Dad celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary.

March came and Jackson’s health continued to worsen. Testing from oncologists, rheumatologists, and immunologists have only revealed more questions than answers.

In April, Zachary performed in the Red Mountain production of Beauty and the Beast as the baker.

May came only to find sweet Emily in the hospital with a MRSA Staph infection that had to be surgically removed. The day after she returned from the hospital Zane and Mom burned the kitchen down. We left our home in the hands of a restoration crew and moved to another home. Two weeks later Zach graduated from high school with honors, Zane was promoted to the 7th grade with a handful of awards, and Emily graduated from kindergarten. Mckenzie was awarded the highest Mathematics and Choir awards for 8th grade and was elected 9th grade class president.

June came and the summer started out with girls camp and for Mckenzie followed by a trip to Utah for a family reunion where the whole family got the flu and spent 7 hours together throwing up in the car. Mom sported a fancy walking cast when she finally had her ankle x-rayed and found that she broke it in two places when she fell off the top of the Excursion. Jack’s health began to improve and we were thrilled when doctors ruled out Leukemia and Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis.

July rolled around and Dad, Zach, and Zane had a wonderful time on Catalina Island for scout camp. Mom and the rest of the kids drove up for a surprise trip to see Grammy in Utah. Meanwhile back in Mesa the very large shade tree in the back yard broke in half and fell out over the wall and into the street blocking traffic. Thanks to our ward family it was nearly all hauled away by the time we arrived home.

August came and we moved back home two days before school started. Zachary started college at MCC and was hired on at an alarm sales company.

September was Bekkah’s cardiology check up. Doctors say the structure of her heart has worsened, but miraculously it is still functioning, which was a great relief to all. We ended the month with Ammon receiveing his Wolf badge.

October came and life seemed to be calming down a little. We spent a much needed break at Sea World and the beach and had a wonderful time together. A few days after break Mcenzie got a Staph infection, but thankfully was able to avoid surgery as we caught it early.

November brought birthday parties and family gatherings.

Here we are in December. Zachary is preparing to turn in his mission papers, and we are all excited to talk to Tres on Christmas (especially mom). We are all healthy and are gearing up to have a very UNEVENTFUL 2011!

October Break 2010

October break might need to be re-named, as the word "break" didn't describe our vacation at all. We left Friday after work and headed for Yuma where we spent the night in a hotel. Had to get two rooms as we far exceed the number of guests allowed in one. Got a great deal thanks to priceline. The kids loved the breakfast bar and enjoyed swimming in the hot tub and playing pool in the rec area.

We then headed toward San Diego and stayed in a nice little beach house we got for a smokin last minute deal on Craig's List. It was just three houses down from the beach! We played in the water all day and then again that night. The kids found sand dollars on the shore, then Kenzie and I watched SeaWorld Fireworks from the balcony of the beach house.

The next day we went to church with a bunch of people we didn't know and guess what...the church is the same everywhere...just like they say! Grandpa met up with us that afternoon and we spent the rest of the day playing at the beach and collecting sea shells and a lot of stinky seaweed. Zach carved the seewead bulbs like pumpkins and the kids buried Zach in the sand. They boogie boared and built extravagant sand castles. And Emily talked Grandpa into jumping through the waves with her.

Day four was SeaWorld from 10am-6pm. Grandpa got us tickets last year, and they were good for two years so we got in free. We rode every ride and saw the dolphins, sealions, polar bears, and Bekkah's favorite "Moo" (Shamu). We played in the kids zone and got very wet (especially Jackson who had a wonderful time with the water pads!)

Grandpa joined us at SeaWorld for day five of our "break" where we did it all over again, and added the Clyde and Seamore show and ate at the all you can eat pizza and pasta bar! We picked out souveneirs (thanks Grandpa!)

and closed out the park once again. We headed back to the beach house, ate rolled tacos from the taco shop two doors down and took another evening stroll along the beach.

Our final day we played on the beach for a couple hours then packed up the car to head for home but decided to hit SeaWorld one more time to ride some rides and wear out the kids for the long ride home. We rode Atlantis 5 times in a row (no lines!!) then played in the kids zone. I can honestly say that if I NEVER ride the teacups (AKA Abbey's Spinning Stars) again it will be too soon! We closed out the park for the third night in a row and headed for home.

Except for the abscence of Tres, that was a GREAT October "Break"!

Wolf Man Ammon

Ammon received his Wolf badge, a gold arrow point and 6 silver arrow points. This is one busy little scouter!

And he refuses to take off his war paint. Luckily we have a couple days before Sunday. Hopin' Crayola Markers wear off after a day or two.

Who's that baby?

What cute little bald babies we make. Can you tell who is who? (I have to admit, I struggled with a couple)