April 2011

As many of you know there was the possibility of a Government shutdown because Congress had not come to agreement on the budget.  Normally the Government operates on what as know as the Continuing Resolution Agreement (CRA).  CRA goes into effect at 12:00 AM eastern time Oct 1.  The beginning of the new fiscal year and it end 11:59 local time 30 Sept.  In years past Congress has agreed to a budget sometime between November and December.  Since the Government is financially strapped, it has taken a bit longer for Congress to come to an agreement.  This year if I remember there were roughly 8 extensions to the budget.  Finally it came down to crunch time the first part of the month.  If Congress had not come to agreement by 11:59 pm eastern time, the entire Federal Government was going to being furloughed.  That means all civilian worker in the Department of Defense, Forest Service, National Parks, etc would be closed.  However, the Post Office and Military would have remained open because they are paid and operate out of different pot of money.  The possibility of a furlough scared me. Blake and I are prepared because of the type of job Blake has.  But I did not want to dip into savings if I really had to.  This was almost the case.  Finally Congress came to an agreement.

This made me think about workers that are laid off.   It made me really respect their position.  Because at the end of the day for me, I still had a job and position to go back to just no pay.  But when one is laid off, they have no job or pay and are left wondering how they will provide for their family.  I after this I count my blessing.  It may seem like a lot, but I have a job, Blake has a job, we both have vehicles to transport us to point a to point b, we have a home, we have clothes, food to eat, and a beautiful daughter aka a family. There are many that don't have all of that this day and age.  We are definitely VERY fortunate.  Remember to be thankful for the small stuff.  It is the small stuff that counts, not the big stuff.

We went to Iceburg's.  This was the kid's cone that Kennedy got with her meal.   Not sure what their definition of kid's cone this is.  It is more like a monster ice cream cone. 

Blake and I had a chance to go to my favorite country singer - King George Strait.  I convenienced my dad to go and my parents came with us.  Along with Blake's friends Ryan and Kristina.  With George came LeAnn Woolmack and Reba McEntire.  I saw this same show in Las Vegas with my friend Whitney the year before.  I wasn't too sure about Reba.  But man is she a GREAT performer.  Such a crowd pleaser.  When I heard they were coming to Salt Lake, I jumped on it.  The show was great, however our seats sucked.  Yes I know I picked them, but no one wanted to pay an arm and a leg for seats.  I was ready too, but I went with the group.  We sat in the lowest possible upper bowl seats in the ESA.  From that expirence now, I will make sure to cough up the extra bucks and get lower seats.  I was a bit jealous of my my Lynley, because she and her husband got floor seats.  And to make me more jealous she got to shake George's hand.  Their seats were right by the isle where they walked on and off the stage.  The music and food were great.  Can't wait until George comes again. 

Since we celebrated Easter.  We had some Easter Egg hunts.

 My Dad

 Ellie and Sharon

Sister-in-law Jordyn 

Me and Kennedy

We also made it to Tepanyaki with Blake's friend Quinn.  He recently got engaged and wanted us to meet is cute finance Stacie.  We took Kennedy with us.  Trying out the chopstick.  She has some work to go.  At least she tries.  She follows in her dad's footsteps.  I don't eat well with chopsticks, I just go for the fork. 

Not much other than that took place in April.

March 2011

Not much happened in March.  But we did make it to Phoenix for my cousin's wedding. 

So before we left for Phoenix we pulled out Kennedy's next size of car seat (the convertible).  Well, it was a bit big for her.  Plus, if someone other than me was to pick her up from day daycare they would need a car seat.  I was on the search for a new one.  Here is suppose to be one of the last times she rode in her infant seat.

This was a big a decision of do we turn her face forward or leave her refacing.  It seems still kinda conversational at this time, because they had not American of Pediatrics had not come to with their published recommendation.  The current publication was to be rear facing till the age of 1 and 20 pounds.  Key word "AND".  Well, rewinding Kennedy at her 1 year old appointment only weighed 16 pounds.  I always asked her pediatrician what I should do.  Ever since I started taking Kennedy to him, his recommendation was keep her rear facing till she doesn't like any more.  Basically as long as we could.  So that is what we did.  Many think I am nuts.  But she didn't mind.    

Before we headed to Phoenix I felt like I had pieces of glass in my throat every time I swallowed. Since we were leaving town, I thought I better head to the doc. The doc took a rapid strep test. It came back positive. The medication I took that night was a miracle. It helped so much. My throat felt a whole lot better.

We were leaving on a Friday. Thursday night Kennedy was not in a good mood, nor was she acting like herself.  She was more clingy than normal too. So before we left we headed into the doc for her. We were thinking that she may have had strep too. Her doctor's office took a rapid strep test for her too. But her results were NEGATIVE. Off went to Phoenix.

That night we stopped in St. George.  I thought it might be easier only driving half-way for Kennedy.  When we went to Reno in January, it was ALONG ride home.  Friday night we meet up and had pizza with good family friends the Charlton's.  It is aways fun to see them.  Before we meet up with them Kennedy was trying out her "new" sleeping arrangements.

Yes, she fits in the door of a dresser. 

No, we did not have her sleep there.

We got back and ready for bed.  Kennedy did her nightly routine.  Brush teeth, change into pjs, and tried to go potty.  She did.  YA.  Not the first time, but that is always good.  The next morning we got ready.  She went on the potty again.  Then we meet Dave for breakfast.  We had a yummy breakfast.  Once we finished.  We prepared to get on the road.  Blake took Kennedy to the bathroom.  As luck would have again she used the potty.  Just as any person would think, but she cant keep this up the whole way to Phoenix.  Well, she used bathroom all along the way.  Never once went in her diaper.  She kept this up until she started playing with my cousin's son Hayden Sunday afternoon.  I sure got my hopes up.  But one has to remember when she ready she will do a good job and it will be on her terms.  Along the ride though the Phoenix we thought Kennedy might like to face forward.  This was not a good idea.  Facing forward for the first time on a long car ride do not mix.  I am sure you can guess what happened.  Needless to say we pulled over found a car wash to wash her seat out.  Poor thing.  What is one to do since it is the law children are supposed to be in a child seat.  Well, we put it all back together, put a plastic black garbage bag over the seat, then a fleece blanket.  That way Kennedy would not sweat on the plastic the rest of the way.  We arrived at Curtis and Debbie's and the first thing we did is get the car seat in the washer. 

Saturday and Sunday we all just hung out.  On Sunday we went to the park and played with everyone. 

On Monday we had a bit of time to kill.  I persuaded my mom and dad to go to Pei Wei.  In the parking lot there was this sign.  I wasn't sure how to take it.  I thought those bumps in the road were called Speed Bumps.  But in Arizona they called them something else. 

Breanne is my cousin that was getting married.  She married a cute kid named Andrew.  They were married in the Mesa temple.  Breanne ended up getting married on our grandma Bernice's Birthday.  Kinda a cool way to remember.  Grandma Bernice pasted away in Oct of 1997. She will have been gone 14 years in Oct.  Man, I wish she were her.  But I knew she is around.  

Uncle Curtis, Aunt Debbie, BreAnn, Andrew, Andrew's Parents

My Cousin Danielle, her baby Jordin, my aunt Debbie, and Debbie's mom JoDene.

4 Generations.

My cousin Danielle's son Hayden.  He is 3. 

Kennedy loved this pond at the wedding reception.

Headed home.  Kennedy wanted to wear Blake's sunglasses

and she wanted him to wear her sunglasses. 

Blake looks pretty cute in pink. I tried to get him to keep them.

But he switched back.  I can't image why...

Kennedy is keeping entertained by watching various Disney movies.

Man, I think what did I do when I was a kid traveling.

Oh, that is right.  I have this wonderful trait from my dad.  We

call it the Lindsay sleeping gene.

Random Pictures.

I was able to get Kennedy's first single pony tail.