Erik, Johnny and the Zoo

Last week Erik was asked to shaperone the Kindergarteners on a field trip to the zoo. This isn't the first time we have done this sort of thing. Although the first time for Johnny. With Kimmie and all her seizure trouble we drive up and met the bus at the zoo and when she gets tired or too hot then we put her in the car and leave. We got up and got ready for the day. I was going to work and Kimmie was headed to school while the boys ventured to the zoo. Erik wasn't too happy that I signed him up but he was going along with it for Johnny. Up until I told him he was going to ride the bus to the zoo. I have to laugh at the response I got. I love my husband but I thought I was dealing with one of the kids on a bad day. The short of the long story is Erik survived the zoo trip. Johnny had a great time.

Oquirrh Mountain Temple

We are very blessed in that we now live 2.5 miles from the new Oquirrh Mountain LDS temple. Kimmie now has moved that temple to the top of her favorite temple list. She now sings I love to see the temple every time we drive down Bangerter Highway. Erik and I have been asked to help with the Physical Facilities Committee. Which just thrills us that we get to go into the temple before most people. There is such a calming and sweet spirit there. So we start working in two week at the temple. We are assigned times during the open house to help with the building. Making sure that everything remains clean and that all of the host/hostesses have everything they need throughout the open house. So it will be a really interesting and rewarding thing to do. I am really looking forward to as Kimmie would say our new temple.

Where did April Go???

I just started writing things on my May calendar for this next week and started to wonder what happened to April? I don't know why my life has been crazy but it has. Nothing out of the ordinary has been happening but I am really far behind on everything. Maybe it is that the kids have been off track and everyone has been sick. I am going to try and blame it on that.

One sort of fun thing is that I was asked to do a Podcast. I will be featured on the National Epilepsy Foundation's web site after May 7th. I did a whole radio interview that lasted about 30 minutes. After they cut it and everything it will go out and certain stations will be picking it up. I am talking about seizure medications and how switching medications can cause more seizures. It is the law I worked on last year that we passed in Utah. I am really thrilled that I was asked to do this. Apparently I did an okay job and they have asked me to do it again.

If I have forgotten to call, write, e-mail or whatever else I have forgotten this month SORRY I don't know exactly what happened to April.

Help Mom it is an Emergency

This has been a really crazy week. My kids are off track this week, so that should say it all. I really would like to start it all over but I really don't want to go through this week again. Monday Johnny got sick. So I stayed home with him. He still wasn't feeling too great on Tuesday but he was really fine just a little clingy and not eating a lot yet. I have been feeling really extra tired lately and keep falling asleep at a drop of a hat. I didn't know what was wrong with me so I went to the doctor Tuesday after and got a work up done. I happened to have had to take both kids and they climbed all over me during the visit. The doctor said that she would be tired dealing with those two. She ran everything imagionable and ordered a sleep test for me. A funny side note is they went to take my blood and Kimmie says I want to help so the guy givers her my other arm and hands her the elastic band thing and gloves and said go ahead. Not realizing Kimmie really knows what she is doing. He took my blood right as he finished she asked for the butterfly (a type of needle) to do her side. He told her next time. Believe me next time I will make sure not to take my daughter. Anyway, yesterday I got up to go to work and Erik said he didn't feel good. He was a little pale so I told him to call into work (he was suppose to close) and I went to work. One hour later I got a call from Kimmie,

"Mom it is an emergency help."

Me, "Kimmie what is wrong?"

Kimmie, "Daddy it throwing up bad. He really needs your help."

I grabbed my stuff and out the door I went. When I arrived home Kimmie had everything under control. She had taken her little play laptop and wrote Daddy Hansen on the top. She put an X for every time he had throw up. She put on the rubber gloves from the whole taking mommies blood the day before thing and was taking his temperature (with her doctor kit therometer). Erik looked like please help me. She was so cute. I wish I would have gotten a photo of her all cute.

My doctor called back checking on me from the day before's experiences. I said I am fine but here is my problem and I told her all about Erik. So she said bring him in. His blood sugar was sky high and he was starting to go in and out of small seizures. They would start at his fingers and move up his arm and go away. But he had a lot of them. The doctor gave him shots and kept him for a while to monitor him. They told me if he still didn't keep anything down to go to the emergency room. Thank heavens we didn't have to go there last night. He is finally doing a little better. Also thank heavens for the new neighbors I have that dropped everything to help me yesterday.

Oh, BTW the test results came back and I am fine I have a very big vitamin B12 deficiency and so I had a shot yesterday I am scheduled for another in three weeks I have new vitamins and if it doesn't come up in six weeks we will start a more rigerous shot schedule.

I can't wait for school to start again.

Easter Clothes

While I was in DC my mom took my kids Easter clothes shopping. Like I have posted before, Kimmie won't wear a dress that isn't made by my Mom or given to her by Aunt Lara. So my mom took her to pick out the material and pattern for the dress. I had a conversation with Kimmie the night they went shopping. It went a little like this...

Me, "Kimmie did you pick out a pretty purple dress for Easter." (we discussed this before hand and she decided that she wanted purple cuz her last one was pink)

Kimmie, "Mom my dress is black and white spots with a pink nose and pink bunny ears."

"What"

"Grandma likes it she will make it so pretty and I will look so cute."

Apparently I looked very frightened. Margo said that she will never forget the look on my face as I was talking to Kimmie.

Kimmie now has a black and white Easter dress. Grandma took Johnny shopping a few days later. I didn't have any suprises there, thank heavens. Although they both look really cute.

Hopefully she has forgotten about the bunny ears and nose. She hasn't brought is up and I really don't want to go there. I listened to the Today show the other day and apparently black and white are the new IN thing. I just didn't know it.

One flaw in Women

I received this e-mail the other day. I think I forget my worth a lot. With the craziness of my kids, work and life I don't give myself enough credit (or so I hear). So just a reminder to all of my amazing women friends out there. Give yourself a pat on the back for me.



Women have strengths that amaze men.

They bear hardships and they carry burdens, but they hold happiness, love and joy.

They smile when they want to scream.

They sing when they want to cry.

They cry when they are happy and laugh when they are nervous.

They fight for what they believe in.

They stand up to injustice.

They don't take "no" for an answer when they believe there is a better solution.

They go without so their family can have.

They go to the doctor with a frightened friend.

They love unconditionally.

They cry when their children excel and cheer when their friends get awards.

They are happy when they hear about a birth or a wedding.

Their hearts break when a friend dies.

They grieve at the loss of a family member, yet they are strong when they think there is no strength left.

They know that a hug and a kiss can heal a broken heart.

Women come in all shapes, sizes and colors.

They'll drive, fly, walk, run or e-mail you to show how much they care about you.

The heart of a woman is what makes the world keep turning.

They bring joy, hope and love.

They have compassion and ideas.

They give moral support to their family and friends.

Women have vital things to say and everything to give.



HOWEVER, IF THERE IS ONE FLAW IN WOMEN,

IT IS THAT THEY FORGET THEIR WORTH.

DC Trip

I had the extreme priveledge of attending the National Epilepsy Foundation's Walk for life and Public Policy Institute. We visited Utah's senators and two of our representatives. We also spoke in front of all the President's of the State Epilepsy Foundations. It was an amazing experience. We also got a little bit of site seeing in while we were there. So warning there is a lot of photos attached with this blog post.

The day of the walk was rainy and muddy. Margo ruined her shoes in the mud. But it was really fun. We walked with over 5000 others for epilepsy awareness. We started the walk just below the capital and went down and around the Washington Monument and back. The total walk was a little over 2.25 miles. I am not use to walking that far by the time we were done with the day we had walked over 5 miles. My legs hurt so bad.

After the walk we took a tour bus around to Arlington. I learned so very much. It is so inspiring. All of these amazing men and women who have given their lives for our freedom. We saw the women in the Military exhibit. I learned a lot about the WASP group from WWII. They were a women's pilot group there was a little over 1000 of them. Margo's mom happens to be one of them. They did this amazing triute to them. These women did amazing work. They weren't even recognized for VA benefits until 1977 or were made officers. They weren't even brought home when one of them died in duty. All the women pulled their money together to get the body home to be buried.

This tribute was really nice. If you ever get to Arlington I suggest you take a few minutes to visit this. Then we went to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. I was so amazed at the reverence and awe that was there.

We traveled to the White House visitors center and went back to the hotel. We were incredibly tired. Sunday we did our speach in front of the president's and exec's that were in. The speech went well. I was excited to have it over. Monday we spent the big part of the day in meetings. We learned a lot. Near the end of the day we skipped the talks about how to talk to legislatures (we figured we knew how to do that) and went site seeing. We went to the Jefferson Memorial, Roosevelt Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, Vetanam Memorial the WWII Memorial. Around where all the memorial are the Cherry Blossom Festival was going on. It was amazing. I took over 100 scenery photos mainly of the flowers. The photo of me has the Jefferson Memorial in the background.

Now that this blog post is getting even longer. Tuesday we had our meetings up at Capital Hill. Believe me it is a hill after all the walking we did. We met with three out of the five Senators and Reps offices. We dropped info off at one other. I was really impressed with Jason Chaffetz's office and staff for being the new guy on the block and not being on any health committee's they were really receptive. We met with Orrin Hatch personally. Well at least long enough for the photo op. His office staffer was amazing and commended us a lot on the bill we passed in Utah.

Wednesday was our travel home day. We had a breakfast meeting with people from the National Epilepsy Foundation. I was excited to be going home and my kids couldn't wait. Although they were spoiled by Grandma so I am suprised they wanted me home at all. Erik did a great job will I was gone. I am really proud of him. We ended up being delayed in the airport for a while and it took a lot longer than it was suppose to but while it was storming on the ground I took this photo above the clouds over DC. It was a beautiful site. I am really shocked that the photo turned out. Now I just have to get back into the routine and on the right time zone.

Homemade Parade

My friend Michelle posted this on her blog and because she is so amazing and creative, I know I’ll love anything she makes. So...I signed up! The first five people to comment on this post will get something made by me! My choice. For you.

This offer does have some restrictions and limitations:
1. I make no guarantees that you will like what I make!
2. What I create will be just for you.
3. It'll be done this year (hopefully sooner than later, although for sure after DC)
4. You will have no clue what it is going to be.
5. I reserve the right to do something extremely strange.

The catch? Oh the catch is that you must re-post this on your blog.
The first 5 people to do so and leave a comment telling me you did will win a marvelous homemade gift by me!

Washington DC

I'm sorry I haven't written much this month. I don't know where this month went. I swear it was just the first of the month the other day. I have been invited to Washington DC. I am going this weekend representing Utah for the National Epilepsy Foundation walk. I am attending with my VP Margo. We are also speaking to our Senators and Representatives and speaking in front of the heads of the state foundations about the bill we passed last year. I am really honored that they have asked me to come and do this. Margo and I are planning all of our fun things we want to try and see between meetings. I have never been there before. Clarissa took me shopping on Saturday to help me get ready and to plan something to wear. I was really afraid of looking like a frumpy housewife when I walked in to meet some of these people. Not that isn't what I am I just don't want them to know it the second they see me. So wish me luck. I have six days in DC. My husband and kids are staying at home. I am hopeful that things will go really smooth while I am gone. Erik has taken half of the time I am gone off of work to be home with the kids. Although he is having a rough week working this many days in a row to get ready for me to leave. I don't know what I will do with myself to not be with them for that many days. Although I couldn't turn down this opportunity. I am really grateful to be doing this!

Happy St. Patricks Day!!!

Just a quick note to wish everyone a Happy St. Patrick's Day!!! I feel like we already celebrated St. Patrick's day because we went down to see my niece Adrianne in the parade in downtown last weekend. We never have been a very big St. Patrick's day family. Every few years or something my Mom made us green pancakes for dinner, but that is about all we ever did. I didn't realize how BIG this holiday really is. So I will be posting photos later from the parade and of my daughter who got herself dressed for school today. She really doesn't match but it was all green. I managed to talked her into taking off the Sunday dress that was on the top. This morning when I was so frustrated at her I couldn't laugh but by this afternoon the fact that I let my daughter go out looking like she does. So I will have to take a photo when she gets home from school. Two years ago Kimmie had a friend in her class who's father was Irish and he came in and played the bagpipes and everything for her class and did a big party. Kimmie really wants me to throw a big thing today and I am just wanting to enjoy the day! So it will be an interesting day.

Field Trip with Kimmie

I took the day off last Wednesday and went with Kimmie's school class to Chuck e Cheese and Bowling. I had so much fun. It didn't matter if I got a gutter ball or a strike these kids were just excited! Plus I pulled it out in the last frame with a stike and a spare and ended up getting the best score I have had since my bowling class in college! We ended the day at Chuck e cheese. I bought extra tokens. So when Erik came to pick me up Erik, Johnny and I stayed after Kimmie's class left and finished off the tokens! It was a long day but really fun!

Draper Temple Open House

I finally downloaded some photos today at work. My favorite of which are the photos that were taken at the Draper Temple Open House. We went on the 28th. We had a great time although it took us 3 hours to go through. I was incredibly relieved that half way through Kimmie asked one of the ladies if she could go up the elevator. Normally I wouldn't have let her but I was incredibly excited to get away from the people who were talking behind us. At one point I wanted to say to them didn't you read the signs asking you to be quiet? But I didn't. Kimmie asked if she could go up the elevator and the cute girl said yes so we ended up about 50 people in front of the noisy ones and it was a great tour! We had an amazing time! Kimmie started singing I Love to See the Temple on the bus ride. It was so sweet. Kimmie's favorite part was the big bath tub (the baptismal font) and Johnny's favorite part was the eternity mirrors in the Sealing Rooms. Although this fun photo of my family should have been taken before the three hours. Maybe I would have gotten better looks on my kids faces.