Keep or Give?

I'm beginning to wonder if I should restart this blog (which was originally on the AOL Journal site). The primary reasons for keeping a blog are: keep people informed about yourself and your life, having a place to vent (only a good idea on a blog site if that blog is kept private... at which point it would probably be better to have a journal instead), comment on life, the universe, and everything for money and the hell of it, or to promote things. Let me address these one by one and see if I can answer my question of Keep or Give (up).

Keep people informed: I really should do this, but I honestly find my life fairly boring for the most part and cannot see why anyone would want to know much more than a few lines a week or even month. Other people's lives I find fascinating and I love reading what they post on a regular basis. The other problem is that I wouldn't have a clue what people would like to know more about... kids, hobbies, or day to day mush. Any comments would be nice.

Having a place to vent: I've already mentioned that in most cases this would be best kept in a private journal, but I will mention that sometimes it's nice to get feedback on the little things that are piling up on you if for no other reason than to be reminded that they are little things. So venting is an option as long as it's nothing overly personal.

Commenting on life, the universe....: This has worked great for a couple of friends, but my opinions are too fluid to make a huge difference in things. If I were to keep this blog it definately wouldn't be for this reason. Having said that, I won't promise not to comment since I do have some opinions... sometimes :P

Promotional: As with the above, it wouldn't be a primary reason, but sometimes I find products or places that I really do have to praise. My kids wouldn't care less (not that I would have (m)any readers that would care more) about these things and this might be a good place to mention them.

All in all the balance appears to be in favor. The next question becomes, would it be worth it. A journal is personal and friends, family and most specifically posterity would find value in it... when it is eventually read. A blog is only really worth it if there are readers. So I put the question to you.... Keep or Give?

Rollin' rollin' rollin'!

Hello all,I thought I'd send you all a short update on us down here. As you can see, Gabriel has improved his co-ordination skills to the point that he likes to imitate us. He saw Dan drinking from his cup and wanted to try it too, so we got him a cup to practice on. We decided not to put anything in it yet. He's also gotten to the point where he can easily roll onto his belly, sometimes roll onto his back, and scoot along on his belly. The problem remains that he scoots backwards, which frustrates him as his toys get further away. He enjoys making new noises with his mouth. His latest is inhaling. It made us think he was having trouble breathing at first.

Dan hasn't had any problems with his heart/chest since the hospitalization. We had a follow-up with our PCP and he was unable to find any problems. Work has gotten brutal, however, as he's had to go in early and stay late almost every day this past week. We're hoping things settle down sometime soon. As for me, I'm still the same. Tired more often than not, but doing well over all. Thank you for the birthday wishes. Lots of love,- Karen

Cute Baby Alert

It's been a while since I last typed, but we were waiting to get some recent pictures and then I just kept putting it off.

I, Karen, am doing well. Gabriel is sleeping longer hours at night allowing me to get more rest. He also sleeps quite a bit during the day letting me get some of the housework done. When he's not asleep he sometimes allows me to set him in his car seat while I work and he watches me. Other than that there is nothing really to report.

Gabriel just had his 4 month check up on Monday. He wasn't a very happy baby. He was tired and hungry and then he got three needles stuck into him. He weighs in at 15 lbs 5 ozs and is a rather tall 26 1/4 inches in length. We've started him on a feeding schedule the pediatrician gave us so on Monday he had his first rice cereal. We have it all on video tape for future embarrasment.

Dan is getting everything ready for his 3 week business trip to India. He leaves on the 8th and gets back on the 30th (just in time for Gabriel's first Halloween). His migraines have subsided to a slight degree, but the aspirin he was taking for his heart started causing his stomach to protest. Now he gets to take a generic Zantak pill twice daily.

That's all from this end. We're still hoping to get some of the photos from the reunion (wink, wink, nudge nudge, Jennifer).

Love to you all,

- Karen

Sunday Ideas

In the month of July we had our "Sensational Sundaes" as our Home, Family, and Personal Enrichment theme. One of the mini-classes we had was on Sabbath Day Activities. The teacher of this class took such a unique approach to this topic that I thought I'd share with you the handout she gave to us. I will admit that I have changed the wording slightly, but for the most part this is exactly what I received. Bev, some of these ideas don't apply to you, but it the basics apply to everyone and the rest is easily adapted. :)

Make a Good Sunday!

Container (Cup or Cone?)

Start with the basics - what's going to hold your Sunday together? Your personal spiritual well being. Take some time with the Lord and your scriptures, assess where you are, and prayerfully decide how you are doing. If there's any necessary improvements, repent as needed and set some realistic goals.

Ice Cream

After self comes family. Much like ice cream, families come in many different flavors. This is a great day to assess the spiritual needs of your family. Talk about lessons heard in Church. Spend a little more time on a topic during family scripture study. Simply spending uninterrupted time together will strengthen the family unit. Here are some ideas. -Have family gospel instruction -Go on a walk with family members -Get better acquainted with family -Hold family council meetings -Visit relatives -Read with your children -Build husband-wife relationships -Develop appreciation for the cultural arts

Toppings

If you were to stop here you would still have a great Sunday. Everything else is just a topping! Some of the best Sunday toppings tend to be those things that you know you should be doing, but never seem to have the time for. But just like that hot fudge, forget the guilt and jump on in! -Write in your journal -Spend extra time in the scriptures -Do family history work -Prepare for your calling -Visit, write, or call a friend -Do missionary work among neighbors and friends -Serve others -Plan family home evening and other family activities -Compile a personal or family history -Visit the sick or lonely

For more ideas see Elder Tingey's article: "Keeping the Sabbath Day Holy", Ensign, February 2000 (Bev, you can find this on the lds.org website if you want to reference it.)

Enjoy,

- Karen

2 Months and Counting

It's been a while since I've written. As I mentioned before, we had Gabriel's blessing on July 3rd. We were privileged to have Sandy, Sheri, Karma, Dad, Lucynthia, Rachel, Taliya, and Aleric come into town to spend time with us that weekend. Rachel and her children drove back up to Phoenix Sunday morning, Sheri, Sandy, and Karma flew home Sunday afternoon, and Dad and Lucynthia stayed through Monday afternoon. Since then we've had Gabriel's two month check up. He's 24 inches in length and weighs in at 13 pounds (no wonder my arms feel like jelly by the end of the day). We also had his second round of vaccinations (which he didn't like in the least). Overall he is a very happy baby. He often smiles when he catches sight of Dan or I. He'll even laugh (at least we think he's laughing). With our support he'll also stand up pretty well, though we still have to watch his neck. He's said his first word (of sorts) which turned out to be "Hi." I'm not sure he knows what it means though. Today he actually stayed awake through my entire walk. He is usually asleep before the end of the first lap. In short, he's growing fast (Doc says he's bigger than approximately 90% of other 2 month olds).

Dan is still having problems with his headaches. The doctor we saw merely suggested trying a higher dose of muscle relaxers each night. I also give him frequent neck rubs (though they don't always seem to work).

I've included a couple of recent pictures so you can see his happy face.

Lots of love, - Karen

Update from Tucson

Just wanted to email you a quick note to let you know we're doing okay here. We've managed to take Gabriel to the doctor 4 times in as many weeks (first visit, follow up for jaundice, eye infection, diahrria) but so far nothing serious to worry about. His last visit put him at 10 lbs meaning he's gained 2 1/2 lbs in since birth. Needless to say he's eating well.

Dan's health has gone down somewhat. The medications he's been taking to help alleviate the migraines seem to have stopped working. He's back to a constant low-level headache with frequent intermitent migraines. He's also started having nose bleeds again which becomes a concern since he's taking the daily aspirin which thins his blood somewhat. We have an appointment set up with his neurologist, but it's not until July 7th.

I seem to have recovered pretty well in the last 4 weeks. The only real complaints I have are being tired (I sleep when I can) and a sore toe (it feels like it's jammed, but it isn't). I can't say much for my housekeeping skills since Gabriel doesn't seem to like to sleep unless he's in someone's arms, but I manage to get dishes and laundry done. I guess it will have to do until I grow an extra arm or find a reasonably priced carrier.

I wanted to also include some pictures of the nursery. It's not much, but it's cute. Enjoy.

Lots of love,

- Karen

Gabriel update

Just thought I'd email you so you know the latest about Gabriel. Sunday, the 22nd, two days after we were discharged, we took Gabriel in for a well-baby visit and to check his jaundice level. The biliruben test came back at 13.4 (not great but not bad either). That next Wednesday we took Gabriel to his first pediatrician visit where they gave him his first imunization and ordered another billiruben test. This one came back 13.5. The doctor said that we should try exposing him to indirect sunlight and make sure he continues to eat regularly. We were also to bring him back in a week. That appointment was this morning. The doctor says his color is normal now so it appears we are out of the woods. I just wanted you all to know so you wouldn't worry about it. I thought I'd also include a couple photos.

Lots of love,

- Karen