Hurst Family News

I hate to do this to you again but pictures will be forthcoming as soon as I grab my sister's camera.  Our poor little camera has dead batteries again- which is really frustrating because we JUST charged the batteries-- looks like it's time for some new ones (batteries not camera). We had a lovely time with Oma and her Mr. Last this past week and were sad to see them go.  We had a 50th party at the "Castle Park" where we were blasted by chilly bursts of good ol' Cache Valley cold.  The boys LOVED it though.  They didn't really care that it was cold.  Packed a few boxes. Realized, yet again, that we have far too much stuff- but I'm struggling with parting with some of it.  Packing is slow going.  Evidently it takes a LOT more out of me than I thought it would.  Wee number 3 is growing steadily and zaps all energy I might have had otherwise.  I do believe he doubled in size this last weekend. Oma was kind enough to post as soon as she got hom...

Seeing as we're experiencing flood conditions around the valley I thought I'd share some pictures from a brighter day.  A MUCH brighter day.  And a bit windy. Didn't get the amazing family shots I had envisioned. These were the results:  (And fun if not perfect.  Thanks Christie :)   PS- my shirt says, "Peace, Love and California" which encompass pretty much my philosophy on life.

Yesterday was one of those days.   The silly emotional kind.   I'm hoping today is less emotional but giving myself permission to accept whatever it is.   And permission to see my favorite doctor as much as I want today. What are the REST of you up to?

Money Update: Today I paid the last of our medical bills. Phew. What a blessing and relief it is to not have that hanging over our heads. Medical Bills you ask?  Well back in December Sean went to the ER with chest pains.  Life was crazy at the time.  Sean's former platoon  Sargent  was killed in Afghanistan, we were in limbo with a lot of decisions and the holidays kind of stressed us all out. He's had these pains before but never this bad.  Ran a gagillion tests.  Nothing.  They ruled OUT a heart attack but we still don't know what it was- other than a smidge of a financial crisis.  You see we are part of the population that doesn't have health insurance (don't judge).  We make too much for Sean to qualify for Medicaid and too little to afford much else.  (Though in the near future we will be shopping around.) So one trip to the ER left us with a hefty $4500 bill. (Or really a bunch of little bills totaling...

Cheesy- but I totally want to try this for FHE next week as we gear up for Easter. Resurrection Rolls Let me know if any of you try it out. PS- there is another post from today below this one.

Currently: Things on my mind on this snowy Friday. Snow? Wow. Well ok.  Clean Kitchen- phew. Now my back hurts. Oy. (PS the kitchen wasn't even that bad to begin with because I cleaned it yesterday- my back is just kinda wimpy) "Shock me. Shock me. Shock me, with that deviant behavior." Empire Records. For some reason that quote is stuck in my head.  SO enjoyed my food from Cafe Sabor last night.  Haven't had the best luck in the past.  I'm grateful I have nummy leftovers for lunch.  (Tequila Lime Chicken Pasta) I think we killed the sourdough starter.  We'll see if we can revive it.  Dr. Frankenstein style.  To all the people in government- aka "the powers that be"- y'all should learn how to get along and get one thing done at a time.  First priority- budget. Then you can go back to bickering and pushing through your earmarked agendas. And no- printing more money won't fix the problem.   Sundays until Oma and Darryl...

I feel like I need a new post so it doesn't look like I have "poo" in the title anymore... Thoughts for today: My sister in law posted a link to THIS  article on Facebook.  French Vegan parents who are possibly going to be charged because their 11 month old, solely fed on breastmilk (remember mom is Vegan) died and was found to have mineral deficiencies likely related to the mother's diet.  At 9 months old doctors advised the parents to take the child to a hospital and they chose to treat the baby at home with other remedies.  Then the baby died. Also recently was THIS article on Parker Jensen and his family.  Parker Jensen had cancer on his tongue when he was 12 (2003) and the doctor's believed it would spread and be fatal.  They recommended chemotherapy. The family left Utah in order to protect their son from child and family services forcing him into chemotherapy.  Parker didn't die.  He is currently alive and well and loves to s...

Have you ever heard things like: I usta could.... We might could use that.... I just heard Ian say: "I might could need a tlashlight" (flashlight). I'm hoping he grows out of it. Just one of the little things that is strange to me about Utah. Or maybe it's a Southern Utah thing- I know I've heard it on both sides of the state in the southern part. Anyone else heard strange things like that? (PS- I have been known on occasion---very rare---to say "oh my heck" which is totally a Utah thing. Or maybe just a Mormon thing...hmm. Freaked me out though.)

Had a special moment with Ian today.   So this blog is mostly to document that- so it doesn't get forgotten.  Ian has had a really hard time with Grandma Great's death.  He didn't want to talk about it.  He was a grump when we were there for the funeral and didn't even want to look at her body in the casket to say goodbye.  (Though I don't blame him- as I kid, and even as an adult it always felt weird to me.)  He knew her spirit was already gone to Heaven.  He didn't know how to express what he was feeling.  That much was clear.  The other day he mentioned giving Grandma and Grandpa some money that he was playing with "to help them so they won't be sad about Grandma Great."  He treasures/hoards money so the gesture of giving it to them freely was quite a significant statement for this 3 1/2 year old.   Then today. Another somewhat grumpy day. He won't eat and didn't want to take a nap.  So I sat down with him on his bed...

So I've decided I know what  Tourettes  is all about. You see I have a twitch in my inner ear that is driving me nuts! To the point of randomly blurting out noises or curse words. So if you happen to see me around spazzing- it probably just in reaction to my ear.  It's loud and obnoxious and only I can hear it. And no, the voices in my head don't affect it at all- thanks for asking. In other news (or as my brother so often likes to say: Meanwhile back at the farm...) Have you ever lived in Utah?  There's a saying that if you don't like the weather- just wait 5 minutes. Well last week brought us a beautiful few days of the Spring I'm used to: Sunshine, birdies, warmth.  And wind.  That was of course the warm before the storm and Saturday brought dark clouds (though the weather in the morning was still warm) and by Saturday night it was snowing.  That's right folks.  Silly white stuff.  Luckily it warmed up enough to melt it away ...