My Liv

Since Olivia was little we realized that she had some allergies. Occasionally she would eat something and break out in a little hive or two and the last few years during spring and fall she would pretty much be miserable.Yesterday I took her for allergy testing and guess what? She is very allergic to nuts, corn, soy, melon and peas. On top of that she is very allergic to every tree, grass, weed, cats and dust you can think of. And possibly bees.It is so bad that they prescribed her an emergency epinephrine shot to keep with her at all times.

She was so miserable yesterday. It took all she had not to break down in tears. I don't blame her. I have dealt with allergies a good part of my life and it causes you to have to be very cautious and feel very restricted. On top of that it can be so embarrassing to have to ask people if the food they have has nuts or if they have animals in their house. No body wants to have to change the lifestyle that they have been so comfortable with. And no body wants to be told that they have to keep a medicine with you at all times that could save your life if needed.

I kept telling her that it would be okay.But I could see how frightened and anxious she was. It amazes me that Heavenly Father knew she needed to be with me. We are so alike. As they were testing her I kept telling her , "You are my girl, you were meant to be with me." I felt so many anxieties myself as they told me how serious it was. I kept thinking , "Am I strong enough not to panic if she gets in a bad situation." Especially because I am so panicky myself by nature. She is also like me because she holds her feelings in. I kept wanting to tell her to just cry and let it out but how do you tell someone to do something that is so hard for you to do.

I am realizing that this is something our whole family will have to adapt to. Last night we had taquitos for dinner. After I made them I realized they were in corn tortillas. So I opted to have a burrito with a flour tortilla with her so she wouldn't feel left out. I have dealt with that "left out" felling because of my allergies for so many years and the on the only word to describe it is that IT SUCKS! It is hard for people to understand that this is something you didn't ask for and its even harder when you are teased about it. Especially when you are already realizing all the things you are missing out on because of it.

So now we will go on, we will learn to adapt for her because we love her and that's what you do for the people you love. If any of you see my girl anytime soon give her a great big hug she sure could use it.

Control Freak

Hi my name is Kari and I'm a control freak. Whew! I'm glad I got that off my chest. Silly I know, but lately I have been trying to get to the root of some of the wedges that come between me and my kids. The bottom line always comes back to the fact that I AM A CONTROL FREAK!

Oh how it pains me to admit this but its true. From the time they were little I was choosing what they wore, what they ate, how their hair was cut, who their friends were, what grades they got and so on. The really sad part is, not much has changed.

I don't know why I do it. I guess a lot of it comes down to me not liking change. If things go the way I want them to go then my life feels less chaotic. I don't like not being in control of myself, my kids or my situation. (so sad, I know.)

Now that my kids are getting older, I have had to back off and just let natural consequences take place even though it practically gives me a panic attack sitting back watching it unfold.

If I tell my son not to sag his pants well I can be pretty sure as soon as he gets to school he's gonna do it just to tick me off. If my oldest daughter hates putting anything girly on then I just have to sit back and let it be. (this one is soooo hard for me. I'll admit it)

It all really comes back to control. The more I try to control them, the more they fight me for control and rebel. I am finding that I can't watch them every minute of the day. And that by me controlling them I am not allowing them to make mistakes and turn into the person that they are supposed to be. Even if its not what I have envisioned. I have decided it's not my right to rob them of "life experiences" good or bad just because I want to be in control of every situation.

So, if you see my youngest going to school with 8 different necklaces on, a shirt and pants that don't match and her hair in a sloppy pony. Don't judge. Just Know that it is part of my "treatment" to help me be less controlling and let her try to find her "true self."

Be Mine

This year for Valentines Day I incorporated the kids a lot more. I usually always get them a little something and then it is about me and my love. Well, this year I knew Carlos would be working and I thought that if it wasn't for the love that their Dad and I have for one another than they wouldn't be.

So, I thought that I really wanted to make it fun for them. On Friday while they were at school I decided to get cooking. I had everything ready to go. I also had picked up and made decorations that I kept hidden.

The next day, (yes, we celebrated a day early) I told them to put a movie in the back of the house and not to come up front. I knew they were getting hungry so I worked quickly to get it all put together. They were all so excited. They even had fancy shmancy cups to drink out of and a candle lit on the table. Each plate had a dipped chocolate pretzel waiting for them too.

We had tons of fun. As I looked around at each of them at the table, I thought about how much I love each of my kiddos. I'm a blessed Mama!

Any Suggestions?

I have a problem! It's a stupid problem but nonetheless it is bugging me. My husband just switched back to graveyards AND I CAN'T SLEEP! I told you it was stupid. But about two or three times in the year I go through this and I am miserable.

Everyone tells me I will get used to it but it has been several years and guess what? I'm still not used to it. It's not that I am afraid, I just can't sleep alone. I have tried working out before bed, sleeping with the t.v. on, sleeping with the t.v. off. listening to my ipod, reading my scriptures, taking a bath before bed, drinking tea. Nothing is working!

I am such a morning person. (Under certain conditions).....I have to get at least 7-8 hours of sleep and then I'm up, happy and ready for the day. This has totally thrown my whole schedule off.I haven't exercised one single bit. Because right now I hardly have the energy to walk from one end of the room to the other.

This morning I woke up with bloodshot eyes and huge bags under my eyes. It has taken all I have not to cry. The worst part is that I hear my husband snoring and it makes me so angry. Why does he get to come home and sleep and I have to stay up and be Mom and go to work when I didn't sleep a bit? And then when he is up he is wondering why I can't even make dinner without bawling my head off. (dumb, I know)

Anyways, I am open to every suggestion. I am at the point of drugging myself in order to sleep. Please send your ideas my way and help this tired Mommy get some sleep.

8 is Great!

"Birth Day"


Alesia's first Birthday









On February 7th Alesia turned 8. I can't believe my baby is 8 yrs old. This year she wanted a Valentine/Glamour Birthday Party. So that is what we did. She wanted cupcakes instead of cake and we painted nails, put eyeshadow on and painted faces. She had a great time.

I have loved every minute of being a Mom to a little girl. I was so excited when I was pregnant with her and the Dr. told me she was a girl. I remember seeing her for the first time and thinking, "Wow, she is so little." I hoped and hoped that she would love to dance as much as I do. And so far, she does. She is also the best shopping friend I could ask for.

I love you so much Alesia Hope Medina!

Harlem Globetrotters

Last night I took my youngest two kids to see the Harlem Globetrotters at the Centrum. It was so much fun! Carlos was doing a drug presentation for the young men and young women so he and the older two kids were not able to go with us.

My kids loved it! Alesia kept clapping her hands and Emilio was so excited about the break dancing. Last time I saw them was when I was a little girl. They came to the Salt Palace.

Neccesities

Cutting coupons - Like Mother, Like daughter

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I am at it again! Once again I am posting pictures of our food. This time is a little different though. I got home from the store today and loaded up on a bunch of goods for our food storage. I was so excited.

It made me think about our food storage. Sadly, I have to admit that until last year it was pretty non existent. All we had were the basic essentials to make meals from paycheck to paycheck. I never really thought of doing anything different. (So sad, I know) Then the miracle happened! I had people show me the light and the way to obtain food storage for a great price.

Since then, I have been kind of a "preparedness freak." I caught the fire and our storage grew and grew. I even had to expand it to two rooms. I have spent the last year doing different classes for Enrichment nights on food storage and coupons and I have loved it.I found that being prepared has lessened my anxiety.

Anyways, little did I know that the promptings to stock up that I was receiving all of last year would be for a reason.

Since September we have literally been living off of our food storage. We had so many unexpected medical issues that have left us picking up the pieces. It has been so comforting to be able to have all that we need as far as food and use that grocery money to pay off medical bills monthly. I never knew that it would be the one thing that would get us back on our feet. You just never know what life will throw you and how you will get things back to normal again.

I have to mention to....that not once have we missed paying our tithing. Through the years we have always made sure that there would never be a question about paying our tithing we just did it and always have. Some months my husband and I look at each other and think, "Wow, how did we make it." But we always do and I am so thankful.I am so grateful that I have seen and experienced first hand the miracle of paying a full tithe and keeping a good food storage.