Sleepless Nights?

I have been struggling lately with getting Emma to sleep. Why you ask? On Saturday Emma lost the last of the binky's (that we can find). That is when I decided that I was tired of going out to buy a new one everytime she looses them. So as of Saturday night Emma is going binky free. She is quite unhappy about it (imagine that).

When Les came home I explained what happened and what I was doing about it. He asked me what we were going to do if she finds one. I let him know that as soon as she was distracted that we would take it and stick it in a drawer so the new baby will have some when she comes along.

So for now we are trying our best to cope while Emma goes through "binky withdrawal." It does break my heart when she comes to ask for it. However, it sounds a lot like how she says baby so I pretend that is what she is looking for. And since I can't give her something that I don't have she will have to learn to cope.

My dear, sweet, genius husband

This last week has been a true trial. The first part I already talked about. For an update Emma is doing great. No sign of a fever anymore. She has rebounded nicely. I have to admit brain damage did cross my mind. However, she doesn't seem to have regressed. I am so grateful for that.
As for the rest of the week . . . isn't the saying that when it rains it pours. It has been pouring here. Les' motherboard is going bad, my hard drive (not yet 3 months old) died, and something else is wrong with my computer.
The genius part comes in when Les was able to salvage the majority of my pictures. He was able to take my last hard drive and resurrect almost all the information that was ever on it. He also used Picasa to bring even more pics back. The sad part was that I was slowly fixing imperfections in the pictures so that I could burn them to a DVD. If I had worked harder and faster I wouldn't have lost some of the pictures that I did lose.
As for the other stuff Les has been looking for a new computer. If a new motherboard didn't cost as much as new computer I think he would have gone that route. As it is his laptop keeps shutting down on him. Which is the same thing that mine has started to do. Les thinks my motherboard is going bad as well but he isn't sure yet. It wouldn't be so bad if Les didn't need his computer for work and I didn't need mine for my computer class. We will make do for now. Les' boss let him bring home a desktop to use. I don't think he was counting on my using it too. However, since I need a computer to put my adobe programs on so I can finish my final project it looks like I will be using it more than Les.
So here is to my wonderful husband . . . I love you so much and I want you to know that I think you are the most talented person in the world. Thank you.

Power of the Priesthood

The last few days have been quite the trial. Monday night Emma had a temperature of 104 degrees. We gave her some Tylenol and put her in the bathtub to cool her down. The Tylenol helped for about half an hour and then her temp started climbing again. So we took her into the ER. If it hadn't been midnight we would have called Daniel to help give her a blessing. We should have anyway. Emma screamed the entire time they were trying to get a reading for her O2 level. She was upset because she did not want that horrible thing taped to her toe. She worked so hard to get to it. Then when I din't think she (or I) could take much more they took her to get a chest x-ray. She screamed even harder when they strapped her in with her hands above her head. Les would describe it as Emma in a bottle. I had to wait out in the hall while the did it. I don't know if it was the hormones or that I am her mother but I cried a lot while we were there.
When we got back to the ER the nurses came in with a catheter to get a urine sample. I had this internal battle. I hate to hold my child down for anything (I myself can't stand to be held down against my will) but at the same time knowing that if she isn't held still, more pain could be caused. All the crying wore Emma out and after the nurses left us alone so fell asleep. An hour later the Doctor came in to tell us the results. Everything looked fine. We were told she probably had a virus and that the only thing we could do is give her Tylenol/Motrin to keep the fever down while her body worked things out. Great, we waste a few hours in the ER just to go home and do the same things we had already tried.
We were all exhausted when we got home so we wrapped Emma up and placed her in our bed beween us. Every hour or so she would wake up crying and reach out for me. I comforted her as much as I could until she fell back asleep. Around 5 she woke up and couldn't be comforted. We gave her more Tylenol (her temp was back up to 103) and when it kicked in we could tell a difference. She actually smiled and was more like herself. I went to make some breakfast and while I was cooking she took her Elmo book that makes sounds and would dance around the kitchen. My heart felt so much joy to see her acting better. Les and I decided that she should have a priesthood blessing. Les had used the last of his oil when Kailey was sick so we called around to see who had some. Jana said she would hurry and warm some up so Les could refill his vile. Daniel was already at work so we were going to see if he would come out to the parking lot to help give the blessing. Les didn't want to bother him so when our old home teacher called back to say he had found his oil Les asked him if he would help give Emma the blessing. So we went to their house and a beautiful blessing was given. I can't tell you how Emma felt but I immediately had peace flow into my heart. Les dropped me off at school on his way back home. I was so tired that I didn't get much done at school. Les came to get me and took me home. I emailed the teacher of my afternoon class to let him know why I wasn't coming in. I was so grateful to be home where I could take care of my little girl. Off and on through the day she would run around and be so playful. Then when her energy wore out she would take a little nap.
I can testify that the Priesthood is powerful and that it is a great blessing in my life. I am grateful for a husband who is worthy to have the Priesthood and to use it to bless the lives of our family. Emma's blessing has come to pass. In it she was told that she would know that she is loved and that although she would be uncomfortable for a little while she would get better. She is better. Her temp hasn't completely gone away but it has not spiked back up to those horrible high temperatures. Little by little I see her body healing and getting back to that healthy state.
I would like to send a great big thank you to everyone who prayed on Emma's behalf. It means so much to our little family to know that we have so much support. We love you all.

Helpmeet

So I heard something on Friday that really bothers me. I have been stewing over it all weekend. I need your imput.
On Friday I had a program running just for noise in the background while I was doing things around the house. I happened to come into the room to hear the people talking about the strength and intelligence of Michelle Obama. They started to compare her to Hillary Clinton. They were saying that Michelle has a softer side but that didn't make her any less of a strong woman. Where Hillary Clinton has been in the Senate and has had to be tough all around. One of the men said that he wanted a strong woman in his life. Now I was fine with all of this until he went on to say, "The day of the helpmeet is over." He basically continued on saying that men today want a strong, capable, and intelligent woman by their side.
I told Les what I had heard and he looked at me a little confused and asked, "So is he saying that a helpmeet is weak, incapable, and stupid?" He voiced my very thoughts. Am I wrong to be offended? Please help me by telling me your thoughts on what a helpmeet is to you. Ask your family and friends what they think it means and then post all those thoughts here. I would like to see how many people truly believe the way this man believes. I certainly hope more believe what the Church has taught. That "meet" means equal. We as husbands and wives are equal partners. That together we become one in purpose.
I think it would be very interesting to see the views of those around us. Please share.

Genealogy is wonderful

First of all I must thank my Grandma Richens for all the work she put into her geneology work. She and my Aunt worked very hard and submitted a bunch of names. My Grandma sent some of them to my cousin Dean so he could do their work.
A few weeks ago he called and invited Les and I to help. He set up at time with the temple for us to meet and get started on the work. Last night was the night. There were 10 people who showed up to help out. Of course, we were there with Dean, Mindy, Connie, Delmar, Pauline, Daniel, and Jana. Before Mindy and Connie came up they met a sister who wanted to do sealings and had not yet done any. They invited her to come join our group. Her name was Sister Soto from Mexico. Not only was it a spiritual time because we were doing work for those who had already gone before but we got to share it with someone who had never experienced the joy of sealing families together. It was such a wonderful experience. I know I shall remember it always.
It was great to get together with family that I rarely see. The sad part is that they don't live very far away. Connie and Delmar live in Richmond, Pauline is here in Logan, and Dean and Mindy live over by Brigham City in a place called Corrine. Yet I haven't goen to see them. I know I am slacking. I did see Pauline at the Black and White days in Richmond. We even sat across the street from Connie's house while we were there. My only defense is that we have be really busy. I know it isn't a good enough reason. I will work on it and see if I have what it takes to set things aside and visit my family. After all the family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children.
I know this doesn't go with the rest of this post but as I was finishing it I looked over and watched Emma press her face to the glass on our entertainment center. I wouldn't have thought anything of it if it hadn't been for the noise she made. On closer inspection I learned she was kissing her reflection! She is so funny and oh so very cute. I tried to get a picture but as soon as I pulled out the camera she stopped. Maybe next time.

So I guess I'm a Blackwidow

That is what Les called me after we went to the hospital to get an ultrasound. No it does not mean that I have planned or even would plan to devour my mate. I'll come back to what he means later.
I absolutely love any sign that my child is growing and healthy. On Wednesday Les went with me to my Dr. appointment. I relished the look that came to his face when he heard the baby's heart beat. It lets me know that this loving man loves this baby as much as I do.
Today I was so excited not only for myself but also for Les and Emma to see the baby. Especially for Emma. Lately she has noticed that my tummy has gotten bigger. One day I noticed her staring at it. I told her that there was a baby in there. She looked a little confused but still accepting. She then gave the "baby" a kiss. Let me tell you it sent this incredible warmth coursing through my body. I have worried about Emma being overly jealous and even mean to the new baby. Especially when she realizes this new baby gets some of her attention from Mommy and Daddy. Her sweet little kiss showed me that there may still be some trouble but it won't be as bad as I had imagined. I want to give Emma every opportunity to see the baby and anything else that will help her come to terms with this change that is coming. That was why it was so important that she be there for the ultrasound. I wanted her to see her new sibling and start her toward being prepared for the future.
She was totally in to the pictures on the screen. I don't think she really knew what was going on.

Now for the exciting news . . .

I don't know if I should tell what I know.

Then again I am so excited to tell someone . . .

We are having a . . . .

GIRL!!!!!!!!!!!

So back to the blackwidow thing. After finding out we are having another girl he told me that I must kill off all the boys. Thus I am a blackwidow. If that is the case then maybe he should be a little worried. But for now we are just excited to get to know our precious new girl.

Halloween here we come!

Before I start I must tell everyone how talented and wonderful my husband is. Les decided what he wanted Emma to be for Halloween on Wednesday night. He couldn't find anything in the stores that fit his requirements. So he decided that we were going to make it. Let me tell you my stress levels flew through the roof. I didn't know how I was going to fit that in with everything else I had planned. Not to mention that I don't have a sewing machine (or how to use one) or how to follow a pattern. I shouldn't have worried though. Les is multi-talented. Apparently he does know how to use a sewing machine. So Thursday afternoon he went to Daniel and Jana's to use Jana's machine. He didn't quite finish before they came over for dinner. After they went home he decided to go buy a sewing machine. Then he stayed up all night to finish it.

So here it is on Emma first thing on Halloween morning. She is still in her pajamas but looking fabulous in her cloak.

Emma really got into Halloween. At first she wasn't sure about getting dressed up and walking up and down the street. Then she realized that at ever door she went to someone would bring out a bowl of candy. Even better than that they let her have some of the candy! It was so much fun to watch her experience trick or treating. She even became comfortable enough that she would walk right up to the door and knock. Les would then knock cause no one could hear her attempts. One door that we went to had a skeleton that talks when you knock. At first she just looked surprised so Les knocked again. When it started talking the second time she looked more than surprised. She backed away and tried to bury her head into my leg. I think the candy she got there helped but she was still glad to get away. The picture of her at the door was taken in at Daniel and Jana's.

Pumpkin Carving

On Monday night we carved our pumpkin. I couldn't find my camera so all the pictures came from Les' webcam. I think at first that Emma was uninterested. Then as things progressed she really got into it.
I started things out by cutting off the top. Then Emma "helped" me clean out the inside. That was when Les decided that he needed to step in. He touched up my job of cleaning the pumpkin out. Then the carving began. Emma helped us decide what to carve into the pumpkin. She picked out the design with a "kitty" on it. Once les cut away enough of the pumpkin that she could see that the "kitty" was on the pumpkin she got so excited. She said, "Kitty" over and over again all the while patting my arm and pointing.

When Les was done he took it out to our front porch and put the tea lights in.

The Perkins' came for dinner

So I don't have my camera. Les found the one I had before we bought my new one. It is definately not as nice. The pictures are more on the grainy side. But it works. So that said please forgive the picture quality that follows.

On Thursday night we invited Daniel, Jana, and their family over for dinner. My initial thought was to do all creepy (yet tasty) foods. Then I thought better.

Dinner consisted of Chicken Enchiladas, Corn, Bone Breadsticks, Halloween Fizzy Punch, and Pumpkin Pastries. (Sorry I didn't take pictures but I will post pictures of what it is suppost to look like on my recipe blog along with each item on the menu.) It was so good.

Thank you Daniel and Jana for coming over. It made the night really special.