So I hate when I don't post in forever because then I have to write a novel to catch up. I'll try to keep it as short as possible and I'm setting a goal right now to at least post twice a week.

A couple of weeks ago I went to the doctor finally for some pain I've been having in my knee and also one of my fingers. It's a finger I jammed or broke in high school, so I assumed it was arthritis. The x-ray confirmed this. JP was happy to know he wasn't alone. The x-rays of my knee didn't show any arthritis, so my doctor wanted me to get an MRI. At first I said no because even with only having to pay 10% that's still a lot of money. Over the weekend though I had a really sharp pain and pop and fell to the floor. I fasted and prayed about it on Sun. and felt like I should get one. I was able to get in on Mon. If you've never had one, it's a strange experience. It's the loudest thing ever. Luckily I was able to go in feet first and didn't have to go all the way in so I was able to listen to music through headphones. It was still really loud, but the funny thing is that I actually drifted off. So I went back to the doctor yesterday for the results. They showed absolutely nothing! I'm seriously upset. He said there's no arthritis and that my cartilage looks great. So then why the heck does my knee hurt so bad and why is the pain getting worse?! So he said to exercise for three months and see if it helps and if not they can go in with a scope and see if they can see anything more. Um no thanks. Plus, the other knee is achy too. And it hurts to go up the stairs. So what the heck is going on? Can you tell I'm seriously frustrated?





We went to get our Christmas tree on Sat. It was freezing and snowy, but we just went to Costco. The bad thing is that all the trees are wrapped up so you take what get. B decided to pick the biggest tree they had. The guy said he hadn't seen a tree that big all year. It's about 8 feet. He realized when we got home and it took three of us to put it up that he may have gotten in over his head. But it's pretty and smells great. There are a lot of branches with two ornaments on them and some of the bottom branches are really sagging, but I love it. They had so much fun putting them up. Dad put a couple of heavy ones up high and I put up my girl ornaments, but the kids did the rest. Coconut really got into it. Almost a little too much. My grandma and mom buy each of the kids their own ornament each year so that they'll have their own collection. My favorites are there first Christmas ornaments. I also have several from when I was growing up. Everyone also insisted on having a village piece in their rooms. That's good because the fireplace is full with the other pieces already. I'm actually excited for Christmas this year for the first time in the last several years. I've been such a grinch the last few years and I'm not sure why-maybe all the commercialism. But I'm excited this year.

Peanut started piano lessons this week. He is SO cute with how excited he is. He came right home and showed me what he learned. Bubba loves to practice everyday. I feel lucky because I know so many kids who were forced to take lessons and hated to practice, and I got TWO boys who actually asked for lessons!

Tues. night Peanut started throwing up around 10 pm. He ran to the bathroom and made it to the floor at least rather than the carpet. Even though it was a huge mess, I was so happy it wasn't the carpet. He told us he was sorry he couldn't make it to the toilet, but we kept telling him how proud we were that he made it to the bathroom. Even after getting the entire floor and part of the counter, he still threw up a ton in the toilet. Poor little boy. We figured it was his turn to get the flu because JP had a bout with it for a day. Until B got up several times in the middle of the night and so did Bubba. I had an upset stomach, but never threw up fortunately. Unfortunately my entire body started to ache. It hurt so bad that it was hard to walk. We're pretty sure it was from our dinner the night before. We had sloppy joes and used some buns from the fridge that had been in there for awhile. They smelled a little off, but we figured they'd be fine since they were in the fridge and there was no mold on them. We were wrong. Luckily Coconut refused to eat dinner that night and JP never got sick. The only thing I could come up with was that his body had built up something strong to fight off his flu the week before. I think it's lame that the flu shot doesn't cover all of the viruses. What's the point in getting one? Peanut made it to school since he has afternoon kindergarten. He was like, whatever, once he got it all out. Bubba had to stay home, though. So we pretty much sat on the couch all day except that I had to gather as much strength as I could so I could get to the doctor. Everyone seems to be better today although still a little weak.

Coconut asked if he could watch "Wall-E" a little while ago. "Memo" as he calls "Finding Nemo" is his new favorite, but he also likes "Robots" and "Wall-E." When he asked me he said, "I like Wall-E. He's funny. I wish he could come to our house. That would be funny if he was driving around our house." Such a funny guy. I can't believe he'll be 3 next month!

And finally, my brother Todd will be home from his mission in the Philippines tonight at 9 pm. His homecoming is in Utah this Sun. so we'll be heading out Sat. to stay the night. I can't believe it's already been two years. It goes by so fast. Maybe it won't feel that way when I have missionaries out, but as a sister it seems to have gone by quickly.