Look-a-like Poll

Ethan and Cohen both at 9 1/2 months

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Who do the kids look like?

Ethan and Cohen both look like Eric
Ethan and Cohen both look like Josie
Ethan looks like Eric, Cohen looks like Josie
Ethan looks like Josie, Cohen looks like Eric



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Sugar Sucks

I can't believe it's been 2 1/2 years since that fateful day in the ER when the doctors told me Ethan had diabetes. It was a devastating, life changing moment that I will never forget. He's had it now for more than half of his life and to tell you the truth I don't really remember what life was like pre-diabetes. It's a day to day struggle consisting of setting boundaries, tons of math, constant worry, and at times even pride. The kid is a champ. He rarely complains. He never asks why he has diabetes, although I'm not sure he himself fully understands what it is. I'm sure it will come with age and awareness and at that point I pray he is accepting. His treatment has come full circle and he is now able to live shot-free by wearing an insulin pump. This past weekend he attended pump therapy classes where he met other kids in his same situation. The disease - with a little work, is so manageable, it makes me thankful because it could always be worse. Today, Ethan and I drove to the local Pharmacy and he very happily told the store clerk (while passing her his very full sharps container) that he doesn't get shots anymore.

AMEN!

(If you find yourself out of the loop, please read here, and back me up people!)

BUG-EYED

I gotta take a break, my eyes are going cross-eyed. I'll explain. While surfing the web the other day I decided to look for a puzzle to buy for myself because Ethan has been doing puzzles like crazy lately and I am kind of over the 65 piece Lego one. So I found this great one on Amazon. I was so excited when it got here but then I started it and it is tough. Challenging, for even me, the puzzle queen. Why, you ask, do I like puzzles? Who knows. I remember always getting them as Christmas presents from my parents. They are better than any Harry Potter book that's for sure!! There I said it. I am anti-HP. I do not like wizards. I do not like round framed glasses. I do not like 700+ paged books. Especially, when there are seven of them. J.K. Rowling has successfully drained at least $200 out of your pockets so that you can read about some pre-teen that flies on a magic stick. I'm sure I am going to offend a majority of my blog visitors by saying these things so I will apologize up front. Don't try and come knocking, I am a gentile with no conversion in my future.

This is where I live

Green Bay Packers football is religion to most people who live in Wisconsin. If you live here and do not own a cheesehead you are considered an outsider. If you live here and cheer for the Bears you are considered a terrorist. Team loyalty is number one before God, Country, family, or career. From sun up to sun down in Milwaukee the sports radio hosts talk about Packer news even when they are in the off season. And these crazy people listen to it. The fans....

.... are known for being obsessive. They show up to home games in the subzero temperature with no shirts on to prove a point, that they are the most dedicated football fans out there. And I have to give it to them, they are. Case in point the couple that's been in the news this past week for loving the game so much that they locked their 7 year old son in his room so that they could go watch the game at the local Indian Casino. For four hours the boy was dead bolted in his room, provided with a bucket to go the bathroom in and a loaf of bread and peanut butter to eat in case he got hungry. I was actually surprised to hear backlash from Milwaukee residents. I figured they would raise their glasses and toast to such a dedicated fan. Guess not.

Ellsworth Park

Yesterday when Eric was studying I took the kiddos to this new park in Bayside. It was ok. We packed a lunch and then Ethan played with any kid he could find. They probably thought he was special ed because he HAD to swing in the handicap swing.

Eric's Hypotheticals

No joke, these are real questions that Eric has asked me in the past few weeks. He is know for his crazy questions so I thought I would start writing them down.

1. Who looks more like a Manatee, Cohen or Ethan? He answered Cohen.

2. Which would be easier, raising a baby monkey or Cohen?

3. What would you do if you were watching "To Catch a Predator" and I was one of the guys that they arrested?

4. What would you say if I came home one day and told you I didn't want to be a dentist anymore? -- (my answer to this questions was not a pleasant one)

5. Jos, what do you think about buying a timeshare?

6. Jos, what would you do if you walked into Cohen's room and there was a guy in here trying to steal him?

Call Me Crazy

Isn't it totally lame that I have been dreaming of buying one of these things ever since; 1. I saw an infomercial for one 2. Cohen started eating cheerios and 3. Do I need another reason? This is what my life has come to. Instead of dreaming about jewelry (I don't know that I've ever done that), clothes, handbags (ditto), shoes (ditto), or the newest make-up product (ditto again), I dream about cleaning products. Who can I blame this on...my parents the neat freaks? How about thanking them instead....or at least Eric should be. Imagine how much money I have saved him. So then why was I feeling so guilty about spending $35 bucks on this? Maybe because I already have a canister vacuum, a robot vacuum, a swiffer, and of course a broom. There, I am admitting to my compulsion and can only compare it to those out there that have black heels, flats, sandals, wedges, and flip flops. I've picked my poison. I will not be winning "Best Dressed Mom" anytime soon (Em - stop nodding your head in agreement), but dammit you better believe my floors will be clean.

Happy Birthday EM!

The big 29! When we were in college did you ever think the day would come when we turned 30? I guess I never really thought about it back then. One more year to go for you - enjoy it! I had to dig through some old scrapbooks to find these gems. Pics from the past, good times. Paige joins us in a few - hi Paige - and Bennett of course. Bennett, have you fallen off the planet? What faaabulous things are you up to lately? Geez, I look so different in that first picture. Where has time gone? Thanks Em for being such a great friend for the past 10+ years. You're the best and I love you tons.
p.s. will you start a blog already?


Chi Omega Party 1997 - - - - - Cami's Wedding 2000

NYC Trip 2005

NYC Trip 2002


NYC Trip 2002

Blahs

Can you tell nothing exciting has happened this week? And I mean nothing.

House Envy

Eric is going to have to do a lot of fillings to pay for this!
Only 1.3 million in Monterey. Sure beats the double-wide.

Stinky butt

Cohen has a poopy diaper and is funking up the entire basement and I am sitting at the computer not caring at the moment. I swear, these boys are polar opposites. Ethan was as constipated as a prison inmate at an all male facility and Cohen seems to have ex-lax running through his veins. What's the deal? If this continues into childhood when he starts using the toilet I am toast. I can handle Ethan's once a day wiping - "mom, i goed" (pronounced gode), but 3-4, no way. Is there such a thing as being too regular?

GTA

If anyone out there that reads this blog lives in Provo, please call the Provo PD if you spot a Nissan Altima, kind of a sage color with black leather interior, approximately four+ years old, tinted windows, and a sketchy driver! Dean's (bro-in-law) car got snatched last night from his condo's parking garage. IN PROVO. What? Provo! How pissed would you be? I can't even imagine going to get into my car to drive to church no less and it not being there. The nerve of those heathens in Utah county. This will teach ya, next time if given a choice, GO TO THE U!

Roughin' It

We camped for a total of 24 hours and it was intense. I was thinking back to when I was a kid and how my parents would take us camping almost monthly (at least it seemed that way) and I don't remember it ever being difficult. We just showed up to the campsite, unpacked our tent, and that was it. At least that's what I thought. I didn't realize how much time and effort went into our monthly camping trips. So now that I am doing it myself I fully understand. It takes a ton of preparation and a lot of desire. You have to want to be grungy. You have to want to sleep on air mattresses. You have to want to pee in a pit toilet. And you have to want to deal with babies in the middle of the night, in a tent, with no warm water to make a bottle to shut them up so that the whole campground doesn't report you. Don't you worry...I'll be back, setting up camp soon. Despite the work, it's always a good time.

On the road again!

Well, we've been back a total of 5.5 days and thought, what the heck, let's pack everything again and go camping! Actually, we had this planned long before our trip to SLC, but really, what were we thinking doing this back to back? Hopefully we will survive. It will our first time camping with Cohen which will probably prove to be a challenge, but we're up for it. We're just going 45 miles away which is very doable in case we need to flee home. Especially if it rains. Here's the park info if bored. Pray for sun!

Off the charts

I know I shouldn't be surprised about Cohen's nine month check-up results today, but the comments the doctor made about his head size confused me a little. "Well, his head grew quite rapidly the past three months, we will have to watch that very carefully." What does that mean? How does a head grow exponentially in three months. It's not as if his head was the only thing that grew. His height and weight are off the charts as well, and he didn't say..."well, he grew in both his height and weight quite rapidly the past three months, we will have to watch that very carefully." What's the problem with the head? Is his head not proportionate to his frame? Those nurses all measure differently anyway. Some measure at the top by the eyebrows, some measure lower by the ears...I'm not going to worry about it. At least it isn't flat!!

Alli

So this is the first FDA approved over-the-counter diet pill. Why the FDA approved this drug is beyond me. Anyone think it had a little something to do with cash? What's sad is that the human public is so desperate for a weight loss miracle drug that they will actually pay $59.99 for a bottle of it. I am one of those people who could stand to lose 20 lbs, but mess with my bowels and I am out.


Who would sign up for this.....

...I understand that if I take Alli with a meal containing too much fat, I may get bowel changes know as treatment effects. The effects may include gas with oily spotting, loose stools, and more frequent stools that may be hard to control....

...with Alli you may have trouble preventing accidents...

...some experience anal leakage...

Now something that I would sign up for......LipoZap!

Pedicurist Nightmare

Anne - and you thought you had crazy toes!

Eight Great Days!

Day One: Saturday, June 30th
Today started out early on a 6:30am flight to SLC. Flight was good though, no crying babies! We got a rental car, picked up Anne, and headed to the festivities in Lehi where we hung out with my Eddington relatives. Natalie and her cute kids were there. It was so hot and dry in Utah that our bodies were in shock. Immediately, our eyes dried out and our lips started to crack. I don't think the temperature during the day was ever below 95 degrees. We were supposed to stay for the Rodeo, but we were so tired from the flight we headed straight for Park City to go to bed.




Day Two: Sunday, July 1st
Today Martha and Jeff come to town so we drove down to SLC to visit Grandma and Grandpa Christensen. We attended their F&T meeting with them and can I just say, they too have forgotten how to bear testimony (except for my gpa of course). This was a F&T for the books. It rivals Milwaukee for sure. There were not one, but two recovering drug addicts that decided to stand and explain how they had gone down the wrong paths in life and have come to understand that being good in life is way better than being a druggie. It was like they were at an AA meeting and were asked to introduce themselves. "Hey, my name is Brian, I'm a recovering drug addict, enter spiritual part here..., and that's pretty much it...I just wanted you all to know where I'm at." NO, I would like to bear my testimony, NO, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen...SO WEIRD. Then there was this lady who stood for 25 minutes and graphically described how her daughter, son-in-law and two grandsons were in a tragic car accident not long ago. It was a very sad story, but not one for F&T meeting. She talked about how her son-in-law was on the ground with blood pouring out of his head. And how her grandson was laying in a pile of glass motionless. It went on for 25 minutes. I could tell you all their doctors names and the times of their previous appointments, but I will spare you. Then came the mentally handicapped kids. This is not something to joke about, so I won't, but I'm pretty sure the only word I understood from both testimonies was Amen. So, we headed back to Park City, our spirits uplifted, ready to play some cards. Face cards on Sunday - aren't we evil!





Day Three: Monday, July 2nd
This morning we ventured out for a jog. Not recommended in 100 heat and the crazy altitude. Oh well, at least I kept up. After, we went shopping at the Park City outlets and then came back to go swimming. I don't think I have ever used so much sunscreen and I still got a sunburn. After a great Mexican meal we headed over to the Alpine Slide at the Park City Mountain Resort. Ethan was so scared. He thought we were going to send him down the hill all by himself. Once he figured out he was going to ride with Eric he calmed down and actually wanted to go again.






Day Four: Tuesday, July 3rd
Molly and KC got in late, late last night and unfortunately, had to share a condo with screaming Cohen. That only lasted one night before they moved to a different condo. (Cohen cut both of his upper teeth this trip which was rough on all of us). Today was Mom's birthday!! When she told Ethan that she turned 57 today he said, "what does that mean?" My dad took us to the driving range and Ethan HAD to hit a few balls. I think he wasted a whole basket. We could have walked to the edge of the grass and picked them all up but it isn't allowed. Then we went to the park for a little kickball. I didn't sit very much on this vacation if you can't tell. It was no-stop activity! Anne went to pick up Mike and the airport and was back in time for some Chinese food and an ice cream cake from Coldstone. Happy Birthday MOM! Cards were played, again... while we waited for the Sayers to show up. It was midnight by the time they drove in from Boise.








Day Five: Wednesday, July 4th
Every year Park City has a big parade down Main street for the 4th of July. Some of us went with the kids over and watched all the crazies. Plenty of drunk people at 11am that's for sure. When the motorcycle cop pulled up Ethan was a little scared. You can blame me for that though. Whenever Ethan doesn't do what I ask I pretend to call the cops and he whips right into shape. It took a little coaxing to get him on that motorcycle. He probably thought he was going to drive off with him. Then we came back and got in the pool for some pool volleyball. Dean came up from Provo for the festivities and so did a bunch of my extended family from SLC. Funny enough, Paige, was in town for the holiday and her grandma actually owns a condo in the same complex so we hung out at the pool every once and a while. It was good to catch up with her and her sisters. I don't think I have seen Paige since 2000. Molly and KC were in charge of the family olympics. Eric, of course, had to start a water balloon fight which led to an egg fight which led to my dad being covered in yolk. As night got near we all watched the fireworks from the deck our condo. It was a great day.










Day Six: Thursday, July 5th
Emily and Jaren kindly brought their boat so that we could spend a day at Jordanelle Reservoir. It was a great water-skiing day. The water was calm and there was hardly anybody around us. Jaren bought a surfboard that you ride behind the boat. It wasn't as easy for me as I thought it would be. Of course, Eric got up on it and the wakeboard. Check out the video section for clips from the boat and others. After a day at the lake we were all pretty wasted. The girls took Mom to get a mani & pedi for her birthday and then some of us went golfing. My Dad and I took on a group of golfers that snuck on the course and got cussed out. Fun times.









Day Seven: Friday, July 6th
This morning mom had some pinewood cars for the boys to paint and race. Kent and Lindsey flew in last night for Ryan's wedding today and didn't have anything planned so they came up to do the Alpine slide and go to the outlets. I didn't know this about Kent, but he does not like heights. He still had a good time I think. Ryan's wedding was very nice. It was different than I had imagined it, a really short ceremony, but nice. I think Ryan thought it was Last Comic Standing because he was making fun of pretty much everyone in the room when he should have been thanking them for coming.








Day Eight: Saturday, July 7th
This morning Eric played dentist and pulled Sam's front tooth. It was so loose and ready to be replaced with his permanent tooth. We then had to pack up to head home. Before we left we went over to the Winter Sports Park to watch the aerial jumpers and to ride the zipline. One of the jumpers got injured so they had to cancel the show. The zipline wasn't quite as fast as I hoped it would be but it was still freaky because of how high up you are. Too bad I already had my camera packed because it was way up there. So we headed off to our flight, which was delayed, and made it home to Milwaukee at 1:30am. Wow, what a trip. Thanks again Mom & Dad!