Things I've learned the last couple months...........

First, we got a new camera and I can't figure out how to upload the pictures. I can see them on my iPhoto but when I try to upload or edit they are not there. Frustrating. So I had some pictures for this post but can't upload them. You can use your imagination.

So here are the things I've learned....

1- Don't rely on the "pre-programed" buttons on your microwave. (Short version) A month after living in our house my cutie-patutie (sp?) daughter asked if she could have a sweet potato for an after school snack. I said sure. I put it in for her pushed the "baked potato" button and told her to watch for it to be done. I was then told by the oldest child he needed 3x5 cards for his homework, so we left to go get some. I was gone for 5 min when I get a call from sweet daughter saying that they were at the neighbors and that there were 2 fire trucks and an ambulance at our house. I immediately turned around to head home. Of course it takes longer to get home than it did to leave. I found out that the potato caught fire! The poor daughter smelled something burning, saw the microwave flashing "end" but it was still going/cooking. No beeps or anything. the kitchen was full of smoke. She grabbed her 2 younger bros. and the dog and ran out onto the drive way and called 911. They told her to go to a neighbors house and they would send the fire department. They were there in less than 5 second after making the call. I came home to ambulance and 1 fire truck leaving. The fire department was so wonderful and kept telling me what a smart daughter I had and how she did the right thing. I was amazed that she knew our address after such a short time living here. I got to meet our neighbor for the first time because of this incidence (She probably thinks she is living next to a bunch of looney's). I was grateful that no one was hurt and that the fire was just contained in the microwave. It didn't do any damage to the surrounding cabinets. This same neighbor saved our front door from being smashed by the fire department (it was locked and the kids left through the back door) and told them the back door was open. Needless to say our house smelled like smoke for days. I got to argue with the maker of the microwave for 3 weeks until they gave in and replaced it for free. (That is a story in and of itself). And we now have a working microwave. FYI- I learned from the appliance guy,that was in and out of my house about 6 times, that people should never use the programed setting because there are too many variables that can cause a fire. The 2 biggest culprits.... potatoes and green beans. Keep your eye on those things!

2- I learned how to pull a tick out of someone's body, namely the head. Here in Ohio ticks are EVERYWHERE. Because of the trees and fields they are quite prevalent. Well probably not just here but the midwest and east in general. Because of the field behind us and to the side of us (vacant home lots..... wanna come build a house next to us? It's totally affordable). The kids are always running around the neighborhood with friends and the dog thinks it is a lion in the field stalking the little birds. Two weeks ago I was giving the little boys a bath and Z started yelling at me ..... "Mom!Mom! J has a tick on his head!" "Ya, ya Z. You don't even know what a tick looks like." "No, mom! He really does!" So I took a closer look and yep. There it was. Using my sons head as dinner. I tried to keep my composure, cuz I knew what kinds of disease those things carry. Ok, Ok, I totally freaked and yelled for Dan. I grabbed the tweezers and my phone. Yes my phone, so I could google how to get a tick off of my kids head! I was totally nervous about trying to pluck this gross thing out the right way. Google it if you really want to see how many errors you could make and increase the risk of spreading sickness into the host. BLAH! I pinched it as close to my kids skin as possible... pulled with steady pressure and Viola. I got the whole thing out , head intact. Whew! I put it in a baggie and labeled and it with date and time just in case J started showing symptoms. A week later he started complaining about a sore throat and head ache. No fever. I was worried anyway and wanted to make sure that we could catch whatever it was early just in case it was from the tick. Took him to the dr. Still no fever or any rashes so the Dr. said to keep watching him closer and call her if anything changes. We'll that night he was running a low fever, still no rash. The next morning no fever. That night, fever again. Next morning no fever. That afternoon I could see the fever coming back and called the Dr and told her how he was having a fever at night and fine in the morning. Because of the tick bite she wanted to see him for herself. Thank goodness we are 5 min away so we could hurry over. The nurse took his temp. It was 102. It had not been that high when I was taking his temp. She checked him out and still no sign of rashes, but then she checked his ears. The poor kid ended up having an ear infection. We got him on some antibiotics and he is starting to show signs of his normal self. I still have to keep that gross tick for at least a month, because symptoms can manifest 30 days after a bite. That thing is still alive in its baggie taped to the inside of the laundry room door. Needless to say we do tick checks on a daily basis. Oh.... and I took the dog to get groomed the day after the tick bite. We got him shaved and the poor thing had to have at least 4 ticks pulled off of him too. Now we gotta keep and eye on the dog for symptoms and he is on Frontline.

First off ..... I have no pictures.  I know that people like to see pics, but my camera is dead and I lost the charger, and I'm too lazy to get the ones off my phone.

That said, lets play catch up.  Where do I start, hummm.  I will give the condensed version from my last post. I just had to check when that was. WOW, Aug! I'll go month by month (if I can remember that far).

Sept.- School started.  I was sad. Kids were sad. Football started (-:

Oct.- G'ma Pratt, G'pa Pratt, Aunt Ellen and Gavin came to visit.  FUN! Universal Studios, football games, swimming and lots of visiting.

Nov.- Thanksgiving.  Had it all by ourselves.  Dan and I made the entire meal from scratch.  Great family bonding.

Dec.-Christmas! The kids got a haul.  Dan found out he will be the Farmers Executive of Ohio.  He got to spend almost 2 weeks with us before leaving ( started Jan. 1)

Jan 2011- G'ma came to visit/ babysit while I went to Ohio to look for houses.  Disneyland!(with some wonderful guides to show us the ropes! Thanks Dalands!) Dan came home for that weekend.

So that brings us up to date.

My focus these days is survival, and trying my best to help Dan find us a house.  It is rather difficult, since all I can do is look at pictures and he has to tell me how the neighborhood is and how the house really looks and feels.  It's frustrating for both of us that we couldn't find anything while I was there. But we know that the Lord will bless us and we will be back together soon.

On a "cool" note.  Google - Daniel Lewis Farmers Insurance.  Cool, huh!?  He was given a press release on his new Executive appt..... (click the link) http://classic.cnbc.com/id/41142524

I am very proud of all his hard work.

I'll try to stay more up to date. Famous last words!

I am missing my house......

Especially the kitchen....

and the all the windows that kept everything brite.....

California is beautiful.  The beach is wonderful. So many things to do (of which we haven't just yet) Wish I could have transplanted the house.  But that would make life too perfect.  And if you have  a perfect life, then you are dull. Things happen so that life stays interesting.  I wish for perfection..... but if it actually happened then I would become like a stagnant pond.  Never doing anything.....Never moving or evolving..... and just breeding mosquito's (-: 

Since moving the house isn't going to happen.  Then it just needs to be taken, so I can continue on with my life here. (and do those things, of which we just haven't yet....)

I just haven't been feeling the blogging bug lately.  Sorry.  Not that we haven't done anything...... visit to Colorado, Fourth of July, Beaches, etc.  I just don't have the desire to put all that we've done out into the "blog-o-sphere".   But I know that there are a few of you who are actually interested in what is going on.....  so here's what's going on, not in any particular order.

Zach's been playing basketball.
Jake's been playing soccer.
Jayla's been playing volleyball.
Tanner is starting football this week.
I am busy with all things Relief Society and children.
Dans been BUSY with work and scouting. (and going to the ESPY's. SO COOL)
Beach days.
Park days.

So there you have it.

The end.

Here's a little bit of a run down of the last week....
Tanner and his class gave speeches at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library.  The students were put into units with the same topic.  They were then "judged" by a panel of 3 experts.  One being an Editor from Houghton/Mifflin (?) a High School English teacher and a Professor at California Lutheran University (this school is located right around the corner from us, seriously)
Tanner did a great job!  His group was given the highest score.

I decided that Jake and I would take advantage of the fact we were there for free, so we wandered around some of the exhibits.  Reagan Library is only 10 min from our house..... it is SO cool!

Here's Reagan's Air Force One.  We weren't allowed to take pictures inside. It's dated but still really awesome to go through.  Reagan LOVED Jelly Belly's so there is a container in each compartment. (I knew there was a reason I like him so much). 

This is his L.A. motorcade.

This is Marine One..... Ginormous!

This is his resting place.  We saw a few other little exhibits, because the main part of the library is being renovated until Feb. of 2011.

Here's "Super Star" Jayla.  Her 3rd grade did a play called "Vacation to Mars".  Since we came in so late in the year she didn't get to try out for a part.  She was a WONDERFUL venutian back up singer!

Zach also was in his kindergarten play of "Chicken Little".  He was Ducky Lucky.... and a darn good one.  Jake said it was the best Chicken Little play he'd ever seen!  I agree!

Now that Dan is the Scout Master we are supporting him in all the court of honors and things he has to attend.  Here Tanner is getting a patch for something they did at their Camporee.  He is the only 11 year old scout at this time so they are including him in the older scouts.

The 2 above pictures are of Jayla and Zach getting an award for student of the month at school.  Tanner got one too, but it was a surprise and I didn't have the camera out to catch him.  All of their teachers had such wonderful things to say about them.  The school, students and teachers have made it a great transition for the kids.

The pictures below are of all the kids at Chuck E. Cheese.  We went there on Sat. before Zach's birthday to celebrate as a family.

Zach's birthday landed on Memorial Day this year and some friends invited us to go to the beach with them.  It was everything I wanted it to be!  (-:  Sun, water, playing and fun!

Jake walked around most the day looking like he had a 5 o'clock shadow of sand.  He didn't want me to wipe it off, so it stayed.

After the beach Zach wanted to go to Chili's for dinner .... and of course we did.  Then we took him home for presents and cake.

Out of my comfort zone.....

I'm normally not one to get all spiritual on this blog, or in general.  Not that I don't have a strong testimony of Christ's gospel, but probably more because it means SO much too me, I keep it personally in my heart, because I don't feel eloquent enough to express it and give it justice.  Well I'm stepping out on a limb because I feel I have to.....

During the last few months our family...... I should just really say me....... has relied upon the Lord more than I have ever had to.  I knew that moving would be difficult in all aspects of my life.  Leaving family, friends, and just the comfort of having been in one place for 10 years.  All I can say is that Heavenly Father is always mindful of us, our situations, and our needs. 

Our move has not been easy, by any means.  The stress has been so overwhelming at times (finding a suitable home for our family, adjusting to a new job and just adjusting to our new surroundings) but I have always known that this is what the Lord has had planned for us.  So while my logical brain was saying "this is too hard. It's so much easier to forget about it". My spirit has been pushing me to move forward, because as the scriptures say "this too shall pass". 

We have opened up a new chapter in our lives.  We are trying to make new friends, and find our way in a new environment.  There are times where I feel that I have to keep moving forward or I will be sucked down into the depths of unhappiness.  What a motivator!?  But, a motivator none-the-less.  The Lord, again knows this.  Thus, He has seen fit that Dan and I "put our shoulder to the wheel" and keep us out of trouble by giving us something to do in His "work force".  I have been called as the 1st counselor in the Relief Society Presidency and Dan has been given a call as the Scout Master.  We both are feeling TOTALLY unprepared for these new assignments.  Quite honestly, I think that Dan feels more unprepared than I.  We both know that these callings came from our Heavenly Father, and we will surely learn more than those that we will be serving.  But, it doesn't ease our feelings of inadequacy.

Because of my testimony I will do what he has asked me to do.  I know that as I continue to rely on Him and  follow His promptings I can be like clay in His hands and be molded into the person He sees me as.  All I see in myself is just a huge blob with no idea how to become a work of art. 

I will trust the Lord.

Ramblings......

* I have a love hate relationship with renting.  I love that when things break, I don't have to find someone to fix them.  I hate that I have to wait for someone (landlord) to decide when those things should get fixed.  I can't decide how much time or money I want to put into decorating, when we don't know the length of stay (at the very least 2 years).

* I love California weather. But I haven't really been able to enjoy it.... still unpacking boxes... finding places for things... organizing...school....etc.

* I like working out ( Gold's Gym), but I miss LifeTime.  I was SPOILED!

*Think its funny when people in California say..."Yeah...it's more expensive to live out here.  But, you get paid more too!"  They have NO IDEA.

*Likes that where we  live (the city) that everyone seems to have lived here for a LONG time.  Perfect strangers will randomly give me all sorts of info, as soon as they find out we are new.  Like where the good beaches are, shopping, playing etc.  There are SO many people that have lived here for 40+ years.

*Thousand Oaks is beautiful!

* I really like the kids' school.  I was worried .  I loved Southeast and how things were there.  But, the kids here are REALLY friendly!  They have made it an easy transition for the kids.

* I like our Ward.  It is BIG, but again, because of the lack of "movement" here.... everyone knows we are new and has made an effort to stop by our house and introduce themselves.  I still can't name them, though.  There are A LOT of members here. 

*I think it's funny that one of the first questions I've been asked from people that live here is..... "So have you run into anyone famous yet?" My response...." No... I probably won't, unless my kids actually run into them.  Are there  famous people that live this close to me?"  Here's who I know that lives within a 15 min radius .... Joe Montana, Will Smith, Wayne Gretsky.  All their kids go to a private Christian school within 10 min of where I live.  Kardashians live in Calabasas.... not too far down the 101 Hwy.  There are apparently others, but I really don't think I would  know them if I were to see them on the street or in a car.  I am retarded like that....


That's enough of my rambling...... FOR NOW. 

Ok...  so my last post I had put a whole bunch of pictures on, but they didn't all show up.  THEY ARE NOW THERE!  Check them out in the post below........

Our Trip to Santa Barbara. First off I'm having issues with blogger so, just look at the pictures and I'll give you a run down......

Saturday, April 17, 2010, Dan decided we needed to do something fun as a family.  Since it was kind of last minute we decided on Santa Barbara.  It's about an hour from our house.  It was a beautiful day!  We really just hung out at Stearns Warf and the surrounding beaches.  We walked the pier and took a little taxi boat over to the next pier.  Those are what the pictures are of us on a boat.  Tanner and Zach were the only ones that wanted to help the captain drive the boat.  Jake and Jayla were a little leary.  We rented a 6 man bike "thing" and pedaled  around the beach.  We got a lot of fun comments with the two boys sitting in the front baskets.  When we passed people the boys would yell.... "passing on the left!"  We teach our kids good bicycle safety.  And then if there were girls they would say "Hellooooo Ladies".  I did NOT teach them that.... I blame it on their dad (-:

We had a wonderful day and will definitely be going back there!