Category: Family

Well I found myself today shivering in the fetal position wrapped in 3 blankets, wearing the heaviest wool sweater a Phoenician has ever even considered, when I realized I should probably go see the doctor so he could let me have it. I drove over to the “InstaCare” center closeby. Luckily there were only a few people there ahead of me. By the time I was seen, there were about 5 or 6 guys around my age, all sounding and looking pathetic. I went back to the doctor and here are the diagnoses:

Doctor’s diagnosis: 103 temp, serious flu. He told me I should be expecting to “feel pathetic” for a about a week. And it started about Friday of last week, so hopefully 7 days is it.

Julie’s diagnosis (and this is a direct quote): “You’re just plain pathetic.”

I love my wife dearly. She can call me pathetic anytime she wants as long as she lets me feel pathetic every once in a while. I don’t think I’ve ever been this sick before.

Abigail and Grace both had something similar last week, so I probably got it from them. Grace still has quite the runny nose. She’s licked and wiped her upper lip so much that she has a red moustache from the chaffing. We told her that we were going to take a picture of her, but she thought we were making fun of her. You’ll just have to imagine.

Lucy started feeling sick probably Sunday afternoon. She has this thing about throwing up. We used to ask her if she needed to “spit” because that’s the only way she really understood it. So we’re trying to transition from “spit” to “throw up” (much classier, I know, but what do you say?). Anyway, she tells us about 4 times a day that she needs to throw up. She’ll go in the bathroom in front of the toilet, open her mouth, and expect something to happen. If she didn’t look so pathetic, it might be pretty funny.

Gwenyth is as cute as can be. Julie goes crazy about the little ones at 10-11 months, so she can’t get enough of her. She’s starting to clap her hands and wave bye. She is pretty cute, I must admit. It’s dangerous at this age, because it makes Julie want more . . .

So if any of you have contacted me and I haven’t yet responded, please know that it’s par for the course: I’m pathetic. Yes, Michael, you’re right. There is no one waiting for a response. But it helps me feel important.

I’ll leave you with a quote from Abraham Lincoln (I am profound, thank you): “If you look for the bad in people expecting to find it, you surely will.”

Now I’ve got the junk. I started feeling it this morning when i worke up. I think that the 30 degree drop in temperature probably had something to do with it. We kept hearing about all the snow that was falling all around Salt Lake City, but we got barely a skiff. It’s amazing how localized the heavy snow can be. I tried to tough the fever out, but by about 3pm today I could hardly look straight, so I came home and slept for a while. I feel a little better now. Hopefully we’ll be well enough to go work in the nursery for the first time this Sunday. Or maybe I’ll still be sick . . .

Abby was home from school Tuesday through Thursday. Grace was out Tuesday and Thursday. They were both back at school today, so hopefully things are getting better for them. Julie has been out shopping for stuff every day. She got some fancy clothes and lamps. Now she tells me I just need to find her a house to put her new lamps in. Speaking of homes, we’re still wondering what in the world to do with the situation. We’ve got a few ideas, but nothing solid yet. We’re happy and comfortable where we are now, so it’s not too bad. And I don’t really want to pull the girls out of school.

Among the 6 episodes of Oprah that were watched tonight, Julie heard a memorable quote from a movie called “Little Miss Sunshine.” She tells me it’s a little too appropo for her lovely husband: “Sarcasm is the refuge of losers.” I’m not quite sure how to take that just yet.

We had a good weekend. Michael and Alison came in late Thursday night to hang out with us for a few days. The girls were really excited and tried to stay up to see them, but they were asleep before long. I took Friday off work and we went up to Sundance for an afternoon of skiing. There wasn’t much snow driving up the canyon, but there ended up being enough for a great day. I didn’t know that Ali had never skied before. She and Michael spent the first hour or so going up the rope tow thing. After a few frustrating times down the hill, she decided to brave the lift. I have never seen a newbie *not* fall off the lift on their first try. By the end of the day, she was cruising down the slopes. I was amazed. I ended up taking one trip to the top of the mountain. The snow was great up there. We had a good day.

The rest of the weekend was filled with all kinds of excitement. We went to a place called Fat Cats in Provo on Saturday for some bowling action. It ended up being a great thing for all the girls. They had this metal thing that Lucy could put her ball on and push it down. She and Grace both used it. So they were really able to be a part of things, which was good.

Sunday we went to church, where Julie and I were promptly asked to sub for Grace’s class. So Mikey and Ali were fed to the dogs of RS and EQ. I got the feeling that they survived — barely. Sunday night Abby started feeling pretty sick. She was down and out by Monday morning. Then Grace got it today, so they both stayed home from school.

Somewhere along the line over the weekend we got out the old super Nintendo. Michael killed me in Street Fighter (Ali was very proud). I was (and am still) more sore from playing that dumb game than I was from snowboarding! Crazy stuff.

We took them to the airport last night after a final meal. The girls have been asking since Sunday when they’re going to come back, so fun was had by all on this end. I’m sure for you guys it was an eyeopening visit, but we enjoyed it. Lucy felt a little displaced at first, wondering why Ali and Michael were in her bed. And I found out that Alison got an unwelcome visitor one or two nights. But by Monday night, Lucy was asking why Alison wasn’t in her bed so she could lie down by her. Thanks for taking the time. We all had great fun.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/midder/

This is Jules. What is it with those conversation hearts. They don’t taste all that good but they still make me smile like they did in grade school. You know what I’m talkin’ about…like when the boy you liked put the I’m yours, I love you, or kiss me conversation heart in your Valentine it made your whole week. TRUE BLISS!! Speaking of my Valentine, I have been trying to get reservations for two weeks now in Utah Valley and as of this very minute–no reservations! I forget that many get engaged up here on Valentines and it is a big deal (popular holiday)–I’m always a day late and a dollar short.

This morning was eventful. I laid out Valentine’s shirts & necklaces and hair bows (Great minds think alike, Grandma Elcock)! It was so much fun to hear Abby & Grace–their squeals. But even more fun was that I actually was able to write them a heartfelt note that they could understand and read themselves (a first). I just told them how proud of them we are and what amazing girls they are. They gave me big hugs. Grandpa Jenkins bought the little girls a giant teddy bear. Lucy has latched on and Gwen is scared of it slightly because it’s double her size. He is so soft & cute. Grandma & Grandpa Elcock sent an exciting Valentines package a couple days ago. They girls looked so cute in their shirts and necklaces yesterday and Lucy and Gwen love their sweaters–A big thanks. Loved the Valentine’s card–Steve–it means a lot.

My sister, Amy and I were able to get together on Monday to set the date and location of next years family reunion. It is a daunting task in that there is a possibility of 80 people. Lodging and food for that many is in the thousands and we are scratching our heads a bit. It was good to be with Amy and spend lunch with her, my parents, Brian and the kids at La Famous, Los Hermanos. Any ideas are welcome…I’m starting to think cruise… because it’s an all inclusive deal.

Lucy keeps sneaking the cupcakes we made yesterday. When she eats a cupcake there is no disguising it. I don’t know how she does it but usually there are crumbs all over the house and she still has sprinkles in her teeth hours out. She is loving music school and is starting to get the whole beat and rhythm thing. She is learning to share & speak a little bit better. The girls started ceramics yesterday morning and will start chorus tomorrow. They are thrilled because at school today all their valegrams will be sent. Valegrams are little notes you can buy with either balloons, pencil bouquet, gummy bouquet, or sucker. I love these little extras this school does. Speaking of school, Brian went to parent teacher conferences last week. Grace’s teacher was oozing about her and saying she is the model student. Brian quickly asked if there was drama and crying and she reassured there was not. Amazing how they can be so different at school. At any rate, the teacher said that by the end of Kindergarten they like the students to be at a level 3. Grace scored level 20 her first day here. We were both shocked. I guess Abigail’s reading to her has paid off. Abigail continues to excel and do well in school too. She is making new friends as well.

Well, I tend to jabber on and on. I don’t know where Brian and I will end up eating tonight but I do remember 11 years ago today we ate in my little tree hut while my mom served us. Good times! Some things never change through time. I married the love of my life, and I’m happier with him now more than ever. He is my best friend, my partner, the AMAZING father of 4 beautiful girls and my soul mate. I love you, Sweetie. You mean everything to us! BE MINE! so cliche but that’s ok.

For the photos click http://www.flickr.com/photos/midder/