Amy's Housework

I really don't love any housework. I do love to have a clean kitchen so I really don't mind cleaning it and doing dishes. I absolutely cannot cook in a dirty kitchen, it make me crazy. The thing I hate the most is floors. Whether it's sweeping, mopping, or vacuuming I hate to do floors. I don't mind dusting really, I just never think to do it. I don't like to do bathrooms either, but Payne does those so I don't really worry about it. I do like to have a clean house but I turn into "mean mom" when it's clean. I'd rather have clutter and be happy than have it spotless and be yelling at the kids about everything they touch.

Heidi's Chores

Hey, Mindy, I don't like EVERY chore! I enjoy the results more than the chores. As a kid, I hated cleaning. I have journal entries from when I was eight saying how everyone must think I'm the servant of the house because they were always making me do all the cleaning. Kind of funny how perception works. I never did come up with any fun games like Mindy. That's a good idea. Maybe I would have enjoyed it more. Now in my old age (I can say that because I now have Mom's back problems), I don't mind cleaning most things. I do like dusting and vacuuming and I LOVE the smell of Pine Sol. That makes cleaning floors so worth it. Windex smells pretty great, too. I guess I enjoy cleaning my house because I love the smell of a clean house. I still don't care for washing dishes, and of course toilets are a drag. Laundry is also not my best friend.

Mom's Chores

I guess I'm going to have to send another one so I won't be behind again. I hate to clean the freezer. Always have.

I put it off for so long. But now I have the sealer so things don't get freezer burned. I love that. I'm not fond of cleaning the ovens but now I can just push a button. So that's very nice. My work room is getting to be a problem too. I have way too many things I do in there that make messes-I'm always making cards in case you haven't noticed there are now 59 in our family now. Then there is sewing, ironing, painting (which I have given up for the moment at least the next year and 1/2),scrapbooking, that is hard to get to now with so little time. So little time and it goes faster every day.

Thanks Nickell for putting the blogs so I can see who has added without looking all of them up and for adding the map. That's just fun. We appreciate all you do for the blog. It's so much fun.

Mindy's Chores

I know Heidi is going to say she enjoys all household chores and always has. I, on the other hand, have always disliked scrubbing the bathtub and cleaning the oven. I don't usually mind anything else. Oh, and I tend to put off washing sheets for a long time because I don't like making up beds much. Although I love to lay down in a fresh, clean bed. I put off dusting too. I don't think there's any chore that I'd say I enjoy doing, unless baking goodies or gardening count. I do enjoy those. I enjoy getting things done and crossing them off my list, and I love to have my house clean and tidy. When I was young and had to vacuum, I used to pretend I was a princess and could only walk on clean carpet, so I'd walk behind the vacuum as I went. Now I walk backward as I vacuum so I don't leave footprints as I go.

Question of the Week

What household chores do/ did you most/ least enjoy?

More Late Birthdays

I've been horrible this week. I'm sorry. We had two more birthdays this week.

Dylan celebrated his birthday on the 26th! Happy Birthday Dylan!!!

Then on the 27th, Ella had a birthday! Happy Birthday Ella!!!

Happy Birthday you guys! Hope you both had fun days!!!

I just added a ton of photos to the blog from our spring break trip. Check it out if you are interested!

http://littlelauritzens.blogspot.com/

Tricia

Mom's Catching Up

I thought I'd better play catch up. I was the oldest child. I don't know if I loved it or not. I've never been anything else. I think I liked it best because I knew my mother before she was so sick all the time. My next sibling was 5 years younger. They never had that experience. I was almost like an only child. Rob was 5 years younger than Ed and Julie was almost 5 years younger than Rob.

Surgerys--You all probably all know all of them but for the record: Appendix, Toncils, knee arthyscopes, C-section for twins, hysterectomy, 2 knee replacements, Shoulder surgery, 2 huge hernias, ventral, sinus surgery and eyelid reduction. I think that's all. I didn't stay overnight for the arthyrocopes, the sinus, or the eyelids. I think I was hospitalized for a wasp sting but I can't quite remember that, It was so long ago.

Hi family!

Yesterday I attended the funeral services for Shelley Lauritzen, Adam's wife. Let me just start by saying I love you all very much! This was probably the saddest funeral I have ever been to. I never met Shelley, but I used to babysit Adam-bomb back when they called him that, and although I don't know most of my cousins very well, I found that I have a special place in my heart for each of them - even the weird ones (maybe I should include myself in that category?).

The funeral was really very well done. Shelley's sister and Brother spoke, and I was very impressed by each of them. Shauna Lauritzen (can't remember her married name) sang and she has an amazing voice and that rare talent to sing while she's crying and still sound great. Then Uncle Robert spoke, and he did a great job. I really enjoyed his talk a lot. The bishop was last, and went a bit too long, but we expect that of bishops and finally some friends of Adam and Shelley sang what I think was a Christmas song and that was beautiful. Spencer and I have decided that when it's time for our funerals we want only Christmas songs to be sung, and Spencer might be OK if we put a song by Muse in the mix. He doesn't want boring songs.

Well, that's about it. I just really wanted to let you all know how much I love you and your families. I'm so glad we have such an assortment of personalities and abilities in our family! It makes life a much more interesting ride!

Love, Jeny

Birthdays--Late

So I haven't updated the blog for a while. Mostly because no one has sent me anything in a while, but it has caused me to forget to post a happy birthday post for JD and Nico. They celebrated their days of birth on March 23rd. Happy birthday you guys! We hope you both had fun birthdays!!JD turned 19

And Nico turned 8

Chief Justice

Jason and I had dinner with the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court last Friday. Every year the law school has someone come speak. Every three years that speaker is a supreme court justice. This year happens to be the year for the supreme court justice, and also happens to be the centennial year of the law school, so Chief Justice Roberts was the speaker this year. This is a big deal. It's the first time ever that a chief justice has come to Idaho officially. Jason volunteered to help with security throughout the day, so he and a guest (me) were invited to attend the banquet that was given for Justice Roberts. There were probably 100 people there, but we sat at the table right next to his. He seems like a genuinely good man. Jason said earlier in the day as he was being introduced for his lecture, a story was told that a couple of weeks ago Justice Roberts was late to an important dinner with senators in DC because his son's pinewood derby was the same night. He attended that first and made it to the dinner in time for dessert. Jason had stars in his eyes the whole night, like he was worshipping a teen idol. It was a really neat experience.

Amy's Answer

Mom and Dad had 2 sets of children and I felt like the four of us oldest girls were the first set.There were advantages and disadvantages to being the youngest of the first four girls. I like where I am now because I have so many good examples to follow and sisters who paved the way a lot for me. But I didn't like it so much when I was younger. Whenever we sang I always got stuck on the low part, they loved to try and make me cry (and it usually worked!), and they were all bossy. It's fun now to think about growing up with them, and I'm really glad I stuck around home long enough to get to know everyone really well. That part of being in the middle is a huge advantage to me.

Teresa's Answer

I loved being the oldest, still do. I felt like I ran the house. My brothers and sister were at my constant disposal to play with and I got to be the boss. (I think this kinda happens with all first borns) I got to do everything first, which in a weird turn, was the downfall. I got to mess up first.

I always (growing up) felt like April never got in trouble because they liked her more. The truth was April wasn't stupid. She saw what worked for me and what didn't, and used my experiences to keep out of trouble. :) My sister was genious that way. JD was never in trouble when we were little cause he was the baby and I was supposed to keep him out of trouble, so it as my fault when he was bad.

Overall I think your position in line molds alot of who you are. I'm more spontaneous and excentric, April is more patient and observant of herself and others, and the boys know they can pretty much get away with anything :)

In short, I loved being the oldest because I got to be bossy alot and my siblings had to listen to me because I was bigger. Now I can't pick on JD cause he's bigger than I am!

Heidi's Answer

I think there are advantages to every position in the family. I am the seventh of the nine (a full minute older than Holly, thanks) and think my position was pretty good. I was one of the last, so Mom and Dad were getting really soft by then. We got away with LOTS more than you older ones. Did you know I got to wear shorts to school once? Also, I was able to be the "wiser" man by learning from the mistakes of others. Thanks for messing up so much for me so I didn't have to do it myself, everyone!! I'm not saying I'm without fault, but by observation I was able to learn just how cunning Mom and Dad were and exactly the things I knew I could not do.

Mindy's Answer

Being the 6th, and 3 years younger than David, I was the oldest of the younger ones. I got the benefit having lots of moms, and still having a little responsibility for my younger siblings as well. Mom and Dad weren't as strict with me as they were with the older girls. For disadvantages, I came after the first boy (yay!) and before twins (wow!) and another boy (yay!). So I never felt like I was anything special. It's strange to think that my family was a family for ten years before I came along. Now I love where I am. I get the advantage of having so many siblings older and younger who know about lots of different things, and knowing I can call on them if I need to.

Question of the Week!

How did you like being the oldest, youngest, or middle child? Did it have any particular advantages or disadvantages?

Happy Birthday

This is retarded but Happy Birthday to me. I'm 23 and I'll have a great day.

Amy's Hospital Stays

Let's see, I have had 3 different abdominal surgeries but only one of them required an incision longer than 1/2 inch, 4 kids with 1 hospital stay for each (and I can vouch for the substandard care at Fort Carson, although it's worse here at Knox), and the boob job. I think that's all.

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday to Lloyd! Today Lloyd is turning 49. We hope you have a great birthday! We love you!

Heidi's Hospital Stays

My only hospital stay other than babies was when I was 11 years old and had my tonsils removed. I remember going in to the waiting room and they brought us those warmed hospital blankets. Those were great. I say we because Holly and I did everything together, including this. Before the surgery, they took Holly and me to see the room we were going to stay in for the few hours after surgery. It was a very cute room with two beds on opposite ends of the room. It was painted with bright colors and looked so fun. We never did get that room. Instead, they separated us and put us in these horrible, drab rooms. I was disappointed, but too tired from anesthesia to really be able to care too much. It was an outpatient surgery, anyway. We didn't stay long. I was glad to get home to the t.v. that had more options than the Olympics or 3-2-1 Contact.

My babies were very fun hospital stays. I enjoyed getting waited on and just relaxing for a few days. Also, with multiple children, it's about the only one-on-one time you get with those new babies (with the exception of night feedings, but are we really conscious enough to remember that time?). I soak up every minute. I look forward to delivering babies at hospitals where Jason works. I will be able to see him more than ever, and get spoiled rotten! /

Kristi's Hospital Stays

Ok I am going to make this easy on all of us. Let’s just say 1981-2003. That about covers it. I don’t remember being in the hospital in the last 5 years, shocking, but true! Everything from head to…knee. I haven’t had any foot problems yet. Oh great I hope I didn’t just jinx myself!

Teresa's Hospital Stays

I've been in the hospital twice, to have babies. Maybe more, but none that I remember. My last stay was very pleasant, but the first one was, in comparison, nothing to brag about (maybe aunt amy can vouch for how "fun" ft carson is). No surgeries yet. Anyway, that's all. I'm pretty healthy that I know of.

The only serious hospital experience I can remember is when MaKayla got diagnosed with diabetes. Her blood sugar was in the 600's and she looked like if you blew on her, she would blow away. Not a fun way to see someone so small. It was very scary.

Jeny's Hospital Stays

What an awful topic! I don't like hospitals! I have been hospitalized a few times, and neither was really bad I guess. When I was 5 I went to some hospital in CA for the belly button hernia thing. It was pretty fun, mostly, and Mom and Dad brought me a tiny barbie with clothes that Mom made for it. I still have most of that doll, and most of the clothes (Spot really liked barbie feet). The only bad part was after the surgery the nurse gave me a very small, very shallow tray to get sick in. When I filled that up, nobody was around so I just hopped out of bed and wheeled my IV thing into the bathroom with me. The nurse came in just then and yelled at me for getting out of bed, and I really hated her after that. I had 2 children in Canada, so I spent 5 days for each of those deliveries in the hospital. That was awful. Don't ever have babies (or anything else) in a socialized medicine country. That's all I'm gonna say about that. The other time in the good old USA was last year when my happy life began. I loved everything about that stay - I got out of work for a month, the nurses were super nice, the rest was great, I got out of work for a month, Holly came to visit me (almost the best part!), and I didn't have to go to work. But the best part was feeling so much better now that my female parts are gone. Life is good! Thank goodness for doctors who are also good friends and will do nice things like this for us!

New Posts!

There are quite a few new things. Not a ton but just don't miss anything! We have a new question of the week and updates on FR 2010! P.S. to Jeny: I have changed my blog link on the links section of this blog so you will no longer have to be redirected!!

A Few Things

Ok, my life has been crazy. Things have settled a little bit and I am back on the blog circuit. Here are a few new things as far as the FR 2010 goes. (That's what I named it and what it will be called from now on.)

*So it looks like we are moving the FR 2010 to good ol' Colorado! For those of you that would have preferred the ranch, I'm sorry. Just be optimistic. It will still be fun. And we are planning as much as we can to not be around TVs!

*I have been talking to Grandpa/Dad. The decision has been made that he will set up an account. If he hasn't already. Each family will donate $1 per person in said family OR $5 per family per month-which ever is cheaper for your family. (if that didn't make sense, read it until it does) If you can't remember to write a check to him per month. Write one for the year. If you can do a whole year's worth, do it biannually, if you can do biannually do it quarterly. Month to month isn't the only option. I have had a lot of people ask where these saved funds will be going. They will be going to the following...
-Food
-Costs for activities/places we will be going
-Supplies for activities
-Prizes
-A 2-Disc DVD set for each family of the reunion that Aaron will be putting together after the reunion is over.


*We have come up with a few activity ideas. We would love more ideas. Here is what we have so far.
-We will have 2 missionaries out. We are going to create packaged for them to include them since they will be serving and not able to make it. These packages will include things such as... quilts that we will tie, cards we will make, treats we will make etc. Whatever we feel like putting in there!
-American Idol "Group Day" split into groups and perform songs of the groups choice. It will be a fun competition and there will be prizes!
-Geochaching for the kids. Keith and Teresa will be putting this together.
-Water activities (water balloon volleyball, squirt gun fights (for the kiddos of course))
-Trivial Pursuit Tournament
-Grandpa story time before kiddos go to bed.
-There are more but I can't think of them at the time.

*Aaron will be filming the FR. Everyone will get a copy of the footage and he will be putting together a montage of the video highlights from the FR. Everyone will be getting a copy of that as well. Those will be the 2-Discs.

*Teresa and I will be photographing the whole event. Bring your cameras if you want, but you don't have to. Don't worry. Everyone will be getting a copy of all the pictures we take.

*I will be doing family picture sittings for every family there.

*I have created a new poll for time of the year. A few more votes went in and it really came down to June or July. Please vote again between the 2 on what would be absolutely best for your family!

That is a majority of what we have at this time. Thanks to Tere for all the work she did with communicating with the Ranch. That was all her, she got all the info. I deserve no credit for that. But Co. Springs will be just as fun. So no fretting! Please email me with any ideas that you guys might have for activities, things your family enjoys doing, etc.
I really appreciate everyone's willingness to make this work!! It will be totally worth it!

Thanks!

Nickell's Hospital Stays

Aside from when I had Kade, I was in overnight (?) it may have been 2 nights for my thyroidectomy. Good times. Then there was another time for a couple hours when I was dehydrated during my pregnancy. But that wasn't really a hospital stay. I haven't had horrible experiences with the times I have been there. I loved that there were nurses to take care of almost every need. However, I don't like it when people tell me when I can go to the bathroom and eat. I don't like being babied. I especially didn't love my super chatty nurse the night I had Kade. He was born at like 9:15 pm. I was SO tired and she just kept coming in to chat. So obnoxious. I was really excited to go home!

Mindy's Hospital Stays

The only times I have been hospitalized were for normal childbirth. I really liked staying in the hospital. I got regular meals brought to me in bed, watched cable tv, which we didn't have at home, and got to hold my new baby and nap all I wanted. I've been to the hospital many times with Jason for kidney stones, hernia repair surgery, and staph infections. Dylan had surgery when he was 2 to remove a cavernous hemangioma (a big blood vessel) that had blown up to the size of a golf ball on his ribs overnight. That was scary. And kind of funny. The medicine they gave him before knocking him out for surgery made him giggle a LOT. I took Kate to the ER when she broke her wrist a year ago. I liked our hospital in Pocatello. They were quick and professional, but still friendly. Jason took Kate to the ER here twice last summer to have a huge gash in her foot fixed up, and then to have it refixed since they did it wrong the first time. They were so slow both times. Not too impressed with this hospital.

Question of the Week!

Have you ever been hospitalized or had surgery? What for?