Double-Ear Infection, Oh the Maddness

Our little sweet Karlee has been fighting a double ear infection for the last 5-6 weeks. This poor thing. I guess thats why I haven't posted anything too interesting lately. My other excuse is that honestly our lives have been pretty darn boring around here. Its been a couple weeks ago Karlee woke up around 3:00 a.m. with a fever of 102º. About a week ago, Karlee stopped going down for naps (easy as she normally does) or to bed for that matter thats when I knew the ear infections were still hangin around. Karlee doesn't really pull on her ears so thats not a sign that I can watch for. So we took her into her Dr. and he gave her another round of medicine. She has been on medication after medication. We are currently on the third dose of medicine. She has been on Amoxicillin, Cedinir, and is now on Amox-Clav Es. Karlee has been really good about taking her medicine, so I have been told that is a blessing. I just hope that this will be the end of it. She is acting back to her old cheerful self, so I think that we are getting better.

Happy 60th Birthday Dad!

This weekend my sister-Monica, her kids, Karlee and myself drove to celebrate my dad's 60th birthday. What a fun weekend this was. We all had such a good time. When we arrived we surprised my dad with pizza for lunch at his classroom. His classroom was decorated for his birthday by some of his students. On Friday night my mom had invited a couple friends over for an Ice Cream Sundae party, which was well attended. My mom also had contacted many people that have known my dad over the years, and asked them to write a memory they share with my dad. She got an amazing response I think she was able to collect 65 memories, she compiled them into a book, and gave that to my dad for his birthday. What a treasure! It was really neat for me to read some of these memories about my dad. He is such a wonderful man. Happy Birthday dad!

60 Memories for 60 years book

A big birthday hug! Karlee loves her papa!

2009 Presidential Inauguration

Presidential Oath of Office

"I, Barack H. Obama, do solemnly swear that I will faithfully

execute the office of President of the United States,

and I will to the best of my ability, preserve,

protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States."

January 20, 2009 - What a historical day for all of us as Americans. I was home and watched the inaugration of our country's 44th president on TV. As I listened to President Obama's speech I got so excited. Our country has a new excitement for life, a new excitement for being Americans, it so strong that you can feel it. Our country is amazing and we are so blessed to live so freely. I am proud to be an American!

America's first family

Record numbers come to witness this historic day

Smooth Presidential transition

Perfect way to end the day

SOLD!!!

After 14 months I am excited to finally post that we have finally sold our home in Kentucky. What an ordeal this has been. As with everything in life there are so many ways to look at this experience, and so many lessons to learn. Who would have ever thought that the house would sit on the market for 14 months. Thank You Economy...Whew just very glad to have it sold!!! The buyers got the house and all the work that we did to it for an outstanding deal. Rob and I are just so glad to have it behind us. I would like to say thanks to anyone and everyone that has helped us sell this house. Not necessarily to single out anyone, but I would like to thank our wonderful amazing friends Brian and Natalie for watching our house and keeping everything maintained over this past year. We really appreicate your friendship. Many prayers have been answered.

Great Grandma Worthen meets Karlee

(my mom, Grandma, Karlee and I pose for 4 generations picture)

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Over the Holidays we had a very special visitor to our home. My wonderful sweet grandma. She is such an amazing person to me. She had come down to witness my cousins' family sealing. What a special experience that was. We got to keep my grandma here with us for the night. It was so fun to have her here with us. We almost lost my grandma this past year, Our Heavenly Father must really love all of us to let us have her for more time. She is 89 years old and have such a strong love for the gospel. We haven't made up to see her this past year so this was her first time seeing Karlee. Karlee thought she was pretty special. I love my grandma Worthen and I am so glad that she got to stay here in our home and spend some time with us.

Karlee and Great Grandma Worthen

Milestone: 11 months

Today we mark Karlees' 11 month mark. She is such a good little girl. We love her so much. Karlee has changed so much within the last month, which has been so much fun. Within the last month Karlee has been able to do:

• Exploring has been so much fun this past month. She has been able to not only explore her home, but while visiting both grandparents homes over the holidays.
• Droole, Slobber, Fever - Hooray!!! She has 3 new little teeth coming through.
• Experience her 1st major fever of 101.6 (Found out later that this fever really isn't that high - no record breaking here)
• Meet GREAT Grandma Worthen for the 1st time (will have to post about this!)
• Scored at Christmas time with so many wonderful gifts from Family and Santa.
• Started Dancing to music. This is really fun to watch. She even claps at herself.
• Loves to eat her little "puff" snacks.

We love you Karlee and blessed to have you in our lives.

Happy New Year ~ 2009

Wow what a year it has been . . . We are so excited for a new year to come. New adventures, new challenges (I know, I know they make us stronger), and new blessings await us. We were up north spending the holidays with family, and what fun we had. We spent some days with the Westons, and had a great time. For New Year's Eve we drove down to my brothers home, and celebrated ringing in the new year with most of my family. We played lots of games, and ate way too much. I am notorious for not being able to stay awake on New Years Eve (and every night for that matter), but I am proud to say that I did it. I stayed awake to see the ball drop. Hayley my sister-in-law had such cute things for the kids to do. They made shakers/noise makers, and clocks out of paper plates. Another cute idea was we all brought alarm clocks and set them to all go off at midnight. They had a Wii that entertained both the little kids and the big kids. It was a really fun night. Thanks again to my brother and his family for hosting the night.

No pictures of Karlee as she went to bed at 8:00 pm that night. That girl loves her sleep!

Little Taylor (niece) sneaking some yummy chocolates.

Rob and Tom (my brother) playing the Wii - breaking a sweat!

Tom and Matt boxing - Just look at the intensity