A difficult decision

Megan here... So this past month my family was faced with a challenging and devastating decision.  Now before I start my story I want you to ask yourself a few questions.  What role do your pets have in your home?  What are the signs to look for when there is danger? What would you do if you were put in a situation to have to choose between a pet and your child's safety? And what is humane for your aging pets?

Our story.  This is Ringo she was Jeff's  (my husband) dog when we got married. As Jeff puts it she was his ally, his companion and best friend. In the beginning Ringo was an amazing dog.  She was loving and very attentive to my husband.  She would do anything to get a little lap time with him. Me on the other hand, well let's just say we had an understanding.  She would love on me occasionally but she would melt my heart when she looked at me with her very distinct puppy eyes. 

When my first son Ty was born Ringo would tolerate him and on occasion play with him.   She was great with my little dog Ellie.  Never showing any aggression towards her or Ty but something changed. I am not sure what but she began to ignore me.  If I tried to put her outside or do something she didn't want to do.  She would growl and show teeth but never snip or bite. 

We moved two times between all this and finally settled in our home we built and were staying long term. We had another little boy and things were in survival mode for a short time.  This is when Ringo really started to get aggressive.  As I said before she was never aggressive to my sons or Jeff. So we just kept Ty calm and for the most part gentle (as gentle as a two year old could get) when playing with her. We settled into a new normal and Ringo calmed for the most part.  Well,  one morning I sent Ty out to the living room to get ready for breakfast.  I hear Ringo's growl, her distinct snipping sound and Ty crying.  My heart sinks.  I go running into the living room where I find Ringo on the couch and Ty on the floor.  Ty is on his back with blood gushing from his eyebrow, numerous cuts and scratches on his cheek and forehead. 

We were suddenly forced to make a decision, either get rid her or Ty. We all know the answer to that question.  Ringo was now unsafe to have around our children.  What do we do? How do we handle this?  Is it her time? She is aging and losing patience for our boys.  With our youngest only being an infant our home was only going to get more chaotic.  I had been losing control of her for awhile and Jeff was at work during the day.  

We decided to find a better suited home for her.  However,  that was most difficult then we expected. We made it very clear that she would not be given to anyone with children because she was becoming less tolerant and she had bitten Ty.  We had a few people interested but mostly people wanting her right there right now and we were not comfortable with that.  We tried numerous shelter and adoption agencies that would help us find her a home but we got nothing. After numerous failed attempts to get her adopted we decided that the humane society was our only option.  

This is where our story ends.  We don't know what happened to our beloved dog.  Jeff's companion and best friend. We would like to think she was adopted and enjoying life but with her history was that even possible? They told us that she would be tested and depending on the results they would make that decision.  

So I ask you to ask yourself what would you do? Animals are part of your family and all of a sudden you have to change what you know and love.

 

 

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Potty Training Amnesia

We are potty training my 2 year old. I have been struggling with it since my first potty trained herself.
.... Or so I thought. I wrote this over 3 years ago.

 

Two and a half stories July 7, 2011

 

One of my favorite teachers from high school won Barns and Noble national teacher of the year. They had a little reception thing yesterday. I had to go say hi and congratulations to her, and consequently see a lot of people I went to high school with. A lot of them were asking where Zoey was. To basically everyone I just said she was in bed. But to one of the few friends I actually got along with I told the truth. Which was:

I walked home from class ready to pick her up and found her playing with the puppy's poop on the stairs. Apparently it makes for great makeup. And is great for exfoliating feet. So I had to give her a bath and decided it would be best if she just put her in jamms and put her to bed since it was almost 8 by that time.

She said, well its a good thing she didn't eat it.

That reminded me of another story.

We are in the starting phases of potty training. The other day she was running around with a dress and no diaper. She was playing out on her deck. Jessica said "I think she is going potty." So we ran her to her potty. She had her hand between her legs, and when we pulled it down she had poop all over her hand. Yuck. So we hurried and cleaned her all up. I go back outside and see that she had already gone potty and there was a huge chunk of intestinal gold. Before I could grab something to pick it up, Rusty in all her glory ran over and grabbed it. Lovely..... So I spent a good 10 minutes...ok it was more like 30 seconds but still... running after a dog with a bunch of my daughters poop in her mouth. I guess I can cross that off my bucket list.

After I got about half way through the story I realized I had just spent 10 minutes talking to someone I have seen twice in the past 5 years about crap. Literally. I have such a potty mouth. And she, being the kind spirit she is just smiled and nodded at all the appropriate moments. It was at that moment that I realized that I have a hard time socializing with people who don't have children.


 Its crazy what one little person can do to my social skills.

 

 

 

And so you can see, my struggle was real back then too. So it brings me comfort that I have formed potty training amnesia from the first time, I hope I get it the second time too, because this is rough!!!!

New Priorities

This last week has been nuts. We are still trying to get the hang of this so called new normal. We have been going to diabetes classes offered by the hospital. They talk about pretty much the same thing but each time I go I learn something new.

I have been pretty bitter about our situation I try not to but I am. We are figuring out insulin and prescriptions and money just trying to make sure it's all done right because diabetes really isn't something you should be messing up on.

The last class we went to there was a sweet couple that their daughter was diagnosed the day after ours was. She is 2. 2! It's so hard not to be mad about that. It's all so unfair.
Her dad took her into the hall to let her play and I had to take the baby out. We started talking and I told him Miss M was 4. He looks at me and said it isn't fair they are just to young. My heart just broke for him because I knew exactly what he was feeling.

All weekend I've been thinking about this. There is a sweet girl here in Utah that is 5 they caught the diabetes to late and she had seizures and is really struggling right now. My husband and I were talking and I told him I just hate all this. And he said you know what? Here we are so sad about all of this (which is ok) where there are so many families that would give anything to just have diabetes and not all the complications that can happen with it. They would probably give anything to have them home. I have not been able to stop thinking about what he had said. He is right....
Here I am so sad watching my baby go through this. Every time she says mom I hate diabetes I just want to cry. The thing of it is is that it isn't going a way that's all there is to it.
I've started to think about the last month and how everything has changed. All of a sudden I realized how much my priorities have changed, how much I've changed.

I am one who tends to get offended pretty easily.....not any more. I have so much more to think about then who said what to who or so on. Or who likes me and who doesn't.

I used to be someone who tried to do it all, who never said no to any one. Not any more. I have to say no. When I am overwhelmed I can't in any way put my children on the back burner to help other people. If I am distracted that means I can't pay close attention to what needs my attention first and for most. Of course I still help people but I am trying so hard not to spread myself to thin.

I use to stress over the ways of the world. The problems and changes that are happening in the news. I mean I would stress my self sick over things I had absolutely no say in or any connection to. Now I am learning to just say SO WHAT. I can't change anything all I can do is stand up for what I believe in no matter what.
I guess in a what I have more important things to worry about now a days.

Now don't get me wrong. I am still an adult and I do focus on other things I have just decided to prioritize them a little differently.

I have started enjoying other things that I never did before.
I love watching her play in the sand box or drag the dogs around.
I love hearing her sing to her baby brother.
I love walking into their room he is in the crib she is in her bed and they are both snoring up a storm. I love it so much.
I started noticing the little things more then I am used to. I feel in a way I have a second chance to look at life a little differently. I am so grateful for that.

So yes am still frustrated about diabetes and our situation but I am so grateful that we live in a time that we do and have the medicine available that we do. I am so glad that I have my 4 year old home to pester me and make me crazy.
From here on out I have decided to keep smiling and be grateful for what we do have not what could have been. It's not going to be easy what so ever but I know it is possible. I'm sure I will still have my moments when I cry and scream but hey I'm human right. I am officially a T1D parent and I am going to be the best I can be and be proud of it.

My Grocery Shopping Secrets

We save a lot of money on Groceries from the concept that I have figured out!

1. First we go shopping for the whole month. 
I have to plan accordingly though for this, some fresh produce don't last me the whole month. I have to make sure I use those produce first, and that I buy produce that does last. Stock up on where I can month to month.

2. I make a Meal plan for the month.
I am not a huge daily planner time by time. So I figured out if I set what I am going to be making for which day, it will not work out. My mood changes and sometimes I want something else. Instead I just make a list of the meals and hang it on the fridge. Then I know what meals I have bought for that month and I can decide that day what sounds the best out of my list.

3.Go to Winco! 
I have gone to other stores, and the months that I do that we spend a lot more money then I would have if I just would of stuck to my winco store!
-They don't bag any of your groceries, which I don't mind, but is easier when there are two people. I have done it by myself many times though. I like bagging my own things because baggers at other stores seem to not get that if I put it on the belt in a curtain order then it needs to be bagged in that order together.
It is also a good excuse to bring your own recyclable bags to use. Who doesn't have a huge Ikea bag? Those are perfect to load a ton of groceries into that are able to hold the weight and carry into the house in less trips!
If an elderly lady is trying to bag all her groceries, which usually is happening, I stop to help her too.

At Winco they have great prices on general food products.
In the store I have a route I take to get all of my shopping done. Since it is not shaped like most other grocery stores.
-First I head into the produce section. I weave through it gathering what I need.
-Second, next to the produce is their dry bulk items. I don't normally buy any of them. Unless I need a little bit a curtain spice.
-Third I go into the meats and deli section. It is an open area.
-Fourth I go straight into the freezer isles to get my milk, yogurts and frozen needs.
I have now made a big L shape. I have gone down any isles besides the frozen ones.
-This is when I make my way diagonally towards the middle isles. I weave in and out of the isles I need to be going down, until I have reached the end or have gotten all that I need for them.
The far isles below the freezer isles are candy, pop, chips, crackers, and paper plates. I normally don't need to go down those isles. If I do need to grab a bag of tortilla chips I do. To the far side of these isles is the bakery. I have never bought an baked goods from winco. They are probably good, but I just never buy baked goods. I make them self.

That when I head to the cashiers!

I work in a bakery and that is normally where I get my bread, and my fill for baked goods.
Other times I go to the discount bread store and stock up on about ten loafs of bread. They have great deals. We just freeze the bread until we need it. I also keep my bread in the fridge specially if it is from work, it wont go bad as fast. My husband eats a lot of sandwiches and we go through bread a lot.

Costco is great because we live near by.
The membership is worth it enough to use because we can go there for gas, since it is so close.
Also I buy milk there. We drink a gallon a week between my loving it and drinking it constantly and my husband is a huge cold cereal fan. We pretty much need our own cow.
That's about it at Costco. Its not worth it to us to buy too much in bulk. It goes bad faster then we can use it, so it doesn't save any money.
Soon it will be a good place for us to get diapers! Some times they do have a good deal though, or we splurge on a bulk item. The cloths, books, and movies are be great there too!
The concessions are a fun place though to get a cheap treat if we want to get out for a little.
The parking lot is almost unbearable. If you have any tricks about the parking lot let me know!
I am always trying to navigate it between needing to get gas and needing to get to the bank right there.

I hate Walmart! I only go there once every other month, and the whole time I mumble how much I hate Walmart. That's about all I can handle of that place. I almost would rather deal with Costcos parking lot!
Anyways, I make my Walmart list of dry things I would need that are pricy are other grocery stores.
Like: soap, shampoo, napkins, toilet paper, baggies, tin foil, dryer sheets and detergent. Stuff like that. I don't need all of these items every month. I buy the big size of these items to get me through as long as I possibly can.
Since I am already at Walmart I check out if they have any other deals I can find.

If I need to grab something quick, or forgot something during my big shopping trip, I go to Maceys! Plus they have $1 ice cream cones!  Plus it is the only place I have been able to find Guarna for my husband! Its a Brazilian drink that takes him back! I personally am not a fan, but I love my husband!

Lastly we love taking advantage of Gardens and the Farmers Market in the summer! We have so many kind neighbors who have super yummy fruit trees that tell us if you pick you keep! Don't let an offer like that get away! Can't wait until we can have a Garden of our own! We both will really enjoy it! I am such a foodie and Brent just loves to eat! I can't get enough of nature nor cooking and a Garden is perfect for both! Lucky my in laws have a huge Garden and are generous for now. 

We love the Ogden Farmers Market! We try to go once or twice a month while it is up and running! No only do they have good priced fresh produce we stock up on, they usually have other booths and food trucks for us to have a picnic or a Saturday morning out!  

Kerstie Jo

We are Good Moms

"You see a mother with her child, and often don't know of the pain she endured. You do not see the physical and emotional challenges. You do not see the soul-stretching job she works every single second of her life. You don't see all her smiles, tears, struggles or fears. You just see her love." -Unknown

We are good moms.

We are survivors. 

We are miracles. 

We are strong. 

We make choices based on our own unique and personal situations. 

We have taken on an incredible responsibility. 

We have put our hearts into everything we do for our children. 

We are brave. 

We have suffered losses and heartbreaks beyond all description. 

(One in heaven, one in my arms, one in my belly.) 

We have over come our trials. 

We are fighting through our struggles. 

We have a divine intuition to know what our families need.

We are all different. We have different beliefs. Different backgrounds, different trials, and different situations.

What is best for us, may not be best for everyone. 

But that does not mean we are not good moms. 

That does not give us the right to belittle other parenting styles. 

We can still support each other, despite our different choices.

We all want healthy and happy children. 

We are all doing our best. 

And no one should make us feel otherwise. 

Because we know our children and ourselves better than anyone. 

The choices we make and the trails we face are ours. It is not up to well-meaning friends and family. It is not up to strangers who only see a glimpse of our situation, and it is not up to articles on the Internet. It is up to us. 

We are good moms. 

Hello...

Hi! My name is Megan and I will be taking over Thursday.

Well,  let's start from the beginning.  I graduated from Southern Utah University in 2009 and got a Bachelors degree in Family Life and Human Developmet. After graduating and going through a couple jobs just to pay the bills.  I landed my dream job.  A Family Advocate for a non-profit organization. I loved helping families reach what they thought were unreachable goals.  Helping them get down on the ground playing with their children and not worrying  about where their next meal was coming from. However, the needs of my family began to demand more of my time and I had to leave my job to do what I was called to do.  Be a MOTHER! 

 I married my amazing husband Jeff 3 1/2 years ago. My husband and I were worlds apart from each other while we were growing up but in the end he was literally around the corner.  Also, his youngest sister (of 9 sisters) was on my swim team in high school.  

Almost immediately we decided to begin having children.  After a loss of twins (which I will dive into on a later post) we finally have two amazing little boys. Tylin (Ty) is 2 and Kahle is 10 months.  I know what your thinking.  I had my babies really close together.  In a short two months I will have a 1 and 2 year old! Scary! We are currently learning to crawl and pee in the toilet all at the same time!  I am very protective of my boys to a point where it hinders them.  I will try to share that challenge with you and how I try to let go millimeter by millimeter. 

I love to do crafts and projects around the house.  For some reason decorating my house has become my hobbie.  So I will be sharing all of my projects and decorating. My projects range from 3 dollar signs to 100+ dollar headboards and wainscoting. 

I love to swim and play water polo.  I haven't done either in along time but I hope that changes soon.  I also love to read.  I try to read a little everyday but most days it is just listening to a book during laundry or dishes. 

So I am going to share my good and bad experiences in everyday life.  I will also share with you my ups and downs of parenting  two crazy, loving, challenging and handsome little boys along the way!  

See you next Thursday,

Megan

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Cookie bug

The cookie bug has hit our house!

After a long crazy 3 weeks we have been looking for distractions besides the usual work and play. The other day I was on facebook and my daughter saw a video of someone decorating a sugar cookie and that's where it all began. She has been watching cookie decorating videos on Youtube for days! 

I'm  not gonna lie I am not a big sugar cookie fan. At least not with all the frosting and candy on them. I prefer them plain actually.

But she was showing interest and it was a nice distraction from all the diabetes talk haha so we decided to try us some sugar cookies!

(Yes kids with Type 1 Diabetes can have cookies they just have to have insulin to balance out the carbs)

I wanted to try the cute ones I have been seeing latley with royal icing and details in the decorating. It works out because I know my Melodee won't eat the frosted cookies or maybe any cookies, she is just into making them so I can decorate them how ever I want.

I tried one recipe and it wasn't my favorite so I got back to basics (at my hubbys request) and got my moms sugar cookie recipe.

We always make sugar cookies on Valentines or the day or 2 before. We do it every year even if they don't get eaten. It was actually one of the first things we did with Melodee after she was released from the hospital.

My mom makes these big fluffy sugar cookies they are so wonderful. I love sitting down with one and a can of icing and just dipping them (that is mommy time after the kids go to bed)

So I am going to share this recipe so you can all know how wonderful they are! I was in a bit of a hurry so I didn't get step by step pictures of it all so I'll get some this weekend.

Mom's Sugar Cookies

1 C shortening 

1 1/4 C white sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt 

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 C milk

5 C flour

Preheat oven to 375

Cream eggs, shortning and sugar. Add baking soda and powder, salt and vanilla.

Alternate milk and flour.

Mix until combined.

Chill (optional) and roll out.

The nice things about this recipe is you really don't need to chill it if you don't have time.

The dough is going to seam soft but don't add more flour just make sure you have flour down when you roll it out.

I don't go much thinner than 1/4 inch. I like mine thick like mom does them :)

Bake 8-10 minutes until golden on the bottom.

I noticed that if the sides start to brown it's been to long they are a little on the harder side. So watch your first batch and you'll get the idea of what you want to the rest of the cookies.

Frost with your favorite frosting, or none and all and enjoy!

I am going to decorate some this weekend and I'll post pictures Monday.

Thanks for reading!

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