Audrey Bandley

Audrey is giving away cds AGAIN.
Go check out her blog at
http://audreybandley.blogspot.com

Fall 2010

Well as you probably know Fall is my favorite season. I am sure this comes from my years in Missouri, the colors there were absolutely amazing. I have been in to the mountains a little this year but not enough to get my fix yet.

Fall means school is back in session. I am very happy that all my kids like school this year.

Amanda is in 5Th grade this year and so far says she likes her teacher. Amanda failed her school required vision test and now wheres glasses. They have purple frames and are so cute on her. They look so natural that its hard to believe she's had them less than a week.

James is going to rock the 3rd grade. Such a busy year multiplication and cursive are what I remember. His behavior so so good that his teacher says "he is always a perfect little gentleman," she should see him at home. He is a good boy and now that he is on ADHD meds he has been without accidents (for the

most part) for just over a year now. I am so grateful that our pediatrician helped us find the right med and dose. His school work was amazing last year.

Thomas is rocking the 2ND grade. He got my favorite teacher for home room.

Thomas loves school so much that he wants to go even if he is sick. He has

so much ability to learn that last year he challenged his teacher to keep him busy with math. Reading is so much easier for him than the other 2 kids. He still loves music and anything Christmas.Over the summer his 1st grade homeroom teacher was taking stuff to DI and realized there was a bunch of Christmas stuff so she saved it for him. He is so funny!

Pete well he loves fall but for different reasons. HUNTING his favorite word. This year he was lucky enough to draw out for a Limited Entry Book cliffs Deer tag. He is there tonight with James. I stayed because the other 2 kiddos chose not to miss school (Amanda has such a hard time staying caught up)(Thomas just ♥ it). HE is still working in Colton, but he may be looking for a change with other areas in mind.

We were lucky enough to have Lacey Borba do family pictures for us. She is amazing with her unique eye.

Well hopefully I will post soon about the Deer hunts, Mike and Pete both start their hunts tomorrow morning and George already harvested a nice 3x4 buck.

72nd South Eastern Utah Jr Live Stock Show

Well if you know me and my family July is stock show time. This year was great fun, they kids are growing and changing and it just makes the experience change with time.

We started in January with looking at pigs all over the state. I blogged some different pictures then. On March 18 Dan and Ann joined our family. They were 75 and 77pounds that day. Amanda found them in Lake Shore Utah and payed $260 for them. Amanda loved her pigs and was great to take care of them without a hassle. We fed them Moroni feed and they weighed 233 and 234 pounds in July at show time.

Amanda did a great job showing them and got $ 1200 out of them after the show. Thank you to all of the sponsors out there, our SEUJLS would not be as good without your support. Amanda got a blue ribbon for each pig. Amanda learned allot about pigs and life this year. She had the opportunity to attend some classes on Pigs. We weighed our pigs regularly and tracked their rate of gain. We also bought some clippers and Clipped our pigs this year. Amanda didn't get to go to Southern Utah and play until after the show. Pete and I are very proud of Amanda and the choices she has made.

The boys are not old enough to show pigs, but we do have an "open class" goat show. So the boys bought baby goats in April. They paid $ 50 each and we borrowed the mommy since they were still nursing.James named his girl goat Spots and Thomas named his Boy goat Rudolph. They worked with them and had them slightly broke to lead. They needed more work but hey they are little boys still. When it came time to show James decided not to show his goat. So Thomas showed both goats. He racked in the prizes and $. He got a bunch of ribbons and some 2 dollar bills. Thomas took a written test on goats and took 1st place. (he was the only kid who showed up for the goat test and it was written for kids over 8) That was a blue ribbon and $ 20. They sold their goats back to the owner of the mommy for $ 60 each.

Thomas made a poster of pictures of him and the goats for the county fair. Amanda made a scrapbook, she got a blue ribbon and gets to take it to the state fair. She also got a" Outstanding 4-H Project" ribbon. We are very proud of our kids and their projects.

Through the eyes of a child

Calvin' time is always a happy time, all the cute little babies roaming around. This year the kids got to witness their first birth. James stayed close with camera in hand the entire 3 hours. Amanda wondered in and out of the corral we watched from. Thomas showed up after the feet appeared.

It was a great experience to enjoy the comments and questions from the kids. Here are some of the classics

"was it really that big inside the mommy?"

"it was pretty cool, and really gross, but petty cool"

"the baby kicked" (still head on inside)

"do you think she needs a Tylenol"

The kids chose the name Little Lady for this little heifer calf.

Thomas Bruce Johansen

We started moving into our house in Millercreek the first part of March 2003.My parents and Brian (and family) were very helpful, they came down to help us finish and clean up our place in Elmo. Well I was at the end of my pregnancy, James was 13 months and Amanda was 3. I had been having some (braxton hicks) contractions not many this had been a much easier pregnancy than the last. I had attended water aerobics regularly my whole pregnancy and hardley gained any weight. Annie was up with Brian helping my moving cause. Yes we went walking, nothing like with Amanda. It was 1 mile around the block we lived on and we went around a few times. Late that evening we went to the hospital to see if it was working. It was I was dilated to a 3 and almost completely thinned. The nurse at the hospital gave as a recipe for a baby ( sorry can't post it ) and sent us home. That night Pete and I did our best to induce my body into active labor, but nothing happened fast enough. The next morning (Monday) I had my scheduled appointment with Dr Neilson at 10:30. Annie accompanied me since Pete was off to work. Annie being as persuasive as she can be helped me convince the doc into starting my labor. He thought it would be late in the night or early in the morning and Annie having to go home would still miss the event, but he agreed and I started pitocin. Annie and I walked through the parking lot to the hospital and called Pete, I believe he was working on the other end of the county that day. I had decided to try and have this baby without an epidural (Yes, I know God created man that created epidural for a reason) At one point towards the end of labor I bit Pete who was at my side trying to help me relax. It wasn't long after that I agreed to pain meds, less than 20 minutes after meds Thomas was born.

March 10,2003 4:29 Pm 6 pounds 11 ounces 20 1/2 inches long

( the biggest of my babies)

Thomas was named after Pete's uncle, Elijah Thomas Johansen [1918-1981]

and after my Daddy Bruce D Sharp.

His nickname Baby (little) Bruce came from Aunt Peggy who married Uncle Bruce Kremers.

Grandma Jolene was the one to start calling him "Tommy"

Uncle Ken calls him "Frank" ( Jesse James' brother)

Today Thomas is 47 1/2 inches and 52 pounds

James Antone Johansen

February 4, 2002

The day that the Olympic torch entered into Utah (that's what I have been told ). The day was the same as most to start out. Get up, get Amanda ready for the day and yet another trip to Provo to see Dr Wolsey (ob-gyn). The changes were after I got there the doc said he'd start me, finally. . ...Dec 18, 01 was the first trip up with contractions, 2 weeks into bed rest-1 week after Shane and Andrew's premature birth. I had been up there with contractions many times but I hadn't dilated so they always sent me home. About 11:00 they hooked me up to pitocin, noon the Doc broke my water

♥2 1/2 year old Amanda cuddled next to me watching sesame street♥

Every thing went as it should at 5:15ish the doc called to check my status and Pete answered I don't remember who the doc asked for first but I couldn't talk due to the contractions being back to back, and the nurse couldn't take the phone because she was prepping for delivery. Before I knew what was happening the doc was there, Pete was still holding the phone and trying to comfort me. Moments later the doc was holding James in arms, less than 1 hour after Aunt Tonya picked Amanda up to take her home. James Antone was welcomed to our family at 5:31 pm weighing 6 pounds 10 ounces and 18 inches long.

Amanda the inpatient big sister wasn't even into the canyon when Pete called and announce the arrival of James, she was not happy to know that she had to wait 2 days to see him. While at the hospital Uncle Ken came to see James and that is when Jesse James began. Grandpa Merwin Johansen also made it up to the hospital thanks to Aunt Wilma

Not All Pigs Are Created Equal

This little piggy went to market....

This little piggy stayed home....








This little piggy had roast beef....







This little piggy had none......

This little piggy went weeweewee all the way home.

Birthday Cake

On the 4th of February James turned 8.

We had cupcakes at school. A checkup with Kim is a birthday necessity and tradition.

(He is 45 inches and 44 pounds, Small but healthy.)

Saturday he decided he should make a cake ( I was busy doing my taxes, so he was on his own.) With minimal help from his cousin Shane he made a cake. the only help he got from me was getting measuring cups out and the oven stuff. He chose what pans to use and how to decorate. He didn't have any white frosting so he took chocolate and bartered with a neighbor to get white and food coloring. He and Shane decorated the cake with some fishing toys that Aunt Peggy gave him on his birthday. They did a great job.

Sunday we had cake and ice cream with the local Johansens.

Renovation Complete

Well lately we have been doing some renovating here. I think we are finally done there are a few small projects we can do later if necessary. After a successful demotion and removal of the oven it is official.

NO MORE BABIES!

The hysterectomy(12/28) was completed without extra problems. My back has healed well from the fusion (9/24). The only spare parts are easily done without (appendix, tonsils). So hopefully my newly renovated body likes it extra support and roomier areas.

Bobbi came to celebrate me turning 29 (AGAIN). It was so much fun hanging with my sisters, too bad I only got 1 day with Savanna. I am very thankful for that one day.

Christmas was wonderful this year. We spent the day in Hurricane with family. Well soon the kids will be back home going to school, Pete plowing snow and me, maybe I'll do something productive.
We'll see.

TLIF

Well September 24th ended up being the big day. After a lot of time waiting Pete and I drove to Timpanogous hospital for our 6 am check in. Mom and Dad were there for support. Far as I remember everything was routine and running on schedule. A quick chat with the doctor, the anaesthesia guy and verifying my birthday a million times. (It seems there is a lot of staff there that is in to sending cards.) Well the Doc says it was successful and I am fixed! The first 10 days was HELL. I couldn't move myself to start with Pete and a nurse would move me. I regretted the surgery how was I ever going to recover from this.

After day 10 I started to feel better. By day 14 I was good, I actually spent that day in Salt Lake with Pete and James. The next day I took a walk here in down town Elmo. It was great to be out walking and not tearing up from pain.

2 pins 4 screws a synthetic disc with cage those are my new additions to this old body.

Better Every Day

10 years ago I changed the pace of life and began enjoying the full befits of motherhood. I cashed in all the morning sickness days and the nights of my belly changing shapes, the belly kisses from Pete, the heartburn and the maternity clothes.



After way too many excruciating hours Amanda joined our couple and made us a family.



Thanks to the help from Annie I came home to a clean house and food to eat for at least a week. Well that was a heck of a ride, Saturday the 18Th of September 1999, was not just another day it was the day. I woke up and had regular contractions coming, they say walking can help with labor so Annie and I walked. At that time Pete and I were living on 100 west in Elmo. Annie and I walked to the farm ( 3 miles ) the contractions were every 5 minutes and I was stopping walking to breathe through them by the time we made it back. Little Ashley went on part of the walk with us but spent most of the time with her favorite Uncle Pete and helped with year old Dusty. When we returned to Elmo I layed down ( if its not labor the contractions should let up ). That didn't last long my contractions were there and regular. We took Ashley and Dusty to my visiting teacher and headed over the mountain to Provo to my Dr and Hospital.

Of course there was road construction. I was in good hands Annie had 2 babies, we took the labor and delivery classes. Well those 2 things weren't near as important as the tootsie rolls Annie had me thinking about. Ya tootsie rolls not m&m's my favorite. Well we reached the hospital in the early evening 6-7. I was only dilated to a 1. My contractions were every 3-4 minutes but not dilated they wouldn't admit me. Living so far from the hospital my Dr did agree to pain meds and gel to help the cervix dilate. Pete and Annnie grabbed Arby's for dinner and we got a room for the night. The L&D said if I was in pain in 1-2 hours come back to be checked, Annie said I'd know if I needed to be there. The night began Pete went right to sleep. Annie timed my contractions till I told her I was ok and off to sleep she went. By midnight I had decided to spend most of my time in the bathroom to try and not wake anyone. I was crying through contractions at this point, but I didn't think it was time. When morning came I had them take me back to L&D to be checked after all that time and pain surely I was well on my way. Only a 1, how could that be. My Dr agreed to start pitocin now and break my water after church. Ok here we go.Even breaking my water didn't help the issues of dilating I stayed a 1 all day.



After lots of tears and a simple "Daddy will you" my parents were on there way to see me. They brought Brian along to see his wife it was their anniversary of getting together. I cried for my Daddy, sang I am a Child Of God and told Pete it wasn't his fault until my parents arrive.

(still a 1 ) My Dad gave me a priesthood blessing and my body relaxed, he said Amen, I puked. The nurse (Liz) came in to clean me up and checked me I was a 9! Less than 20 minutes from a 1. I have to say Delivery was the easy part. With Pete by my side,Annie behind me, Liz Counting and Dr Wolsey ready to catch I gave birth to our beautiful 6 pound 11 ounce little girl. The door didn't take long to open with my family listening to Amanda's first cries.



Pete and I couldn't believe it was real. We had our baby, only 13 months into our marriage. Our life was changing and it hasn't stopped yet. Now Amanda is 10, and the best little girl we could ask for. she is so helpful (and only beats on her brothers when she thinks they need it). We never relized that it would just keep on getting better every day.

First Day of School

Well today is the day that my kidlets have been waiting for. The first day of school. They were all up at 6 patiently waiting for me to grant them permission to take off for the bus. Well the kitten didn't like the idea of not spending the day with them so he tried to tag along. James ended up bringing him home so he went to the 2nd bus stop on his own. Me, I feel like I should take them their first day, but they all said they would take care of each other and didn't need me. I hope I can find SOMETHING to do today, all by my lonesome!

Emery Co Fair 2009

Well as soon as the Stock Show ends it is time to get ready for the county fair.
This year I encouraged all 3 kids to enter an exhibit.
They each entered 3 arts and crafts and one thing out of our garden.
They had a blast.
Only Amanda is old enough to be judged so the garden items were in Amanda's name.
Thomas and Amanda both entered some hair flower barrettes.
Amanda's were chosen to go to the State Fair. She is ecstatic.
We'll up next in our world is the starting of school.
My first year that all my kiddos will be all day:)

South Eastern Utah Junior Livestock Show

Amanda has been very busy and very responsible for the past few months. She is finally old enough to make one of Daddy's dreams come true and participate in the Stock show in Ferron. This is its 71 st year and Pete has attended since he was 1 week old.

This year Amanda's project animal was a Pig, named Bob Rudolph- named by her brothers. At the show he weighed 326 pound. She received the highest 3rd place ribbon, and had compliments from the judge on her improvements from the day before. She got $700 in the auction for him and is planning for next years project. Special Thank You to Uncle Ken who sponsored her buy purchasing her pig and to Roosevelt Theatres for purchasing the pig at the sale. Aunt Peggy spent a lot of time with her teaching her how to care for her pig. Amanda spent endless hours with the pigs and woke up early to feed them before school. We are so proud of her.

Life

Well life has been crazy here in the big city of Elmo. We have started baseball season, all three kids are playing this year. Amanda is really enjoying softball this is her first year playing, her first game will be Wednesday and I am trying to juggle the boys and their game so I can make Amanda's. We'll see how that goes.
We have also been busy at the farm. We are installing sprinklers, that is supposed to increase the amount of growth in hay. It also is supposed to help take some of the salt out of down stream water supplies. Pete was very happy to go back to work today after taking some time off. He says he needed a break from so much physical labor:)
I seem to have figured out how to keep my sugar regulated and have been feeling much better.

Well that's my update on life....

~ Dear Mr Jesus ~

http://www.alexcia.com/child.shtml
just thinking of all those that need so much

YES WE ARE STILL HERE

Contrarily to some beliefs Elmo is still on the map. We are not snowed in. We still have power and telephone service. The mail is still being delivered. I don't always answer the phone or trudge threw the skiff of snow to the post office. We are all OK.

Traditions

Well Thanksgiving brings a few Traditions is our family. We always go to southern Utah, this year it was at mom and dad's house. We always go Black Friday Shopping. And Someone always gets sick, this year that one was pretty stong, James started it, then Amanda, Then Pete, Then Jenni. Hopefully no one else got it.

Altercations--this is not a tradition but it was there this year. Heather, Kim and I started
our shopping at 10:30 pm with the store opening at 11. It was great we got some amazing deal and had alot of fun. That was the Zion out let mall.Then off to JC Pennys, then Wal-Mart, Target, K-Mart, WallGreens and Rite Aide. I may have mixed up the order there somewhere but its all good.
#1 While we were standing in the endless line at Target I was VERY friendly, talking to everyone and even helping the lady behind me carry her good deals. Low and behold I say a 3 tiered shopping cart that the store use to stock shelves. I noticed there was only a few 10-15 things on it so I proceeded to stock the items very neatly where they belonged. As I was finishing a Target Employee (now known as TE) approached. I told him that the shelf was almost bare so I stocked it for him, he thanked me and I began to walk away with the cart that I had emptied. The TE said he could take the cart and I informed him that it was no problem and I was taking the cart. The TE asked what dept I worked in and I sweetly told him I was JUST A SHOPPER. Now he is dead set on me not taking the cart, I never took my hands off of it but I proceeded to walk with the line and had Heather put our items on the bottom tier. The TE called on his fancy little radio trying to get help he said I took the cart out of his hands, I calmly corrected him and told him that my hands were on it first and I did not remove them as he had tried to take the cart. The TE went as far as saying that this discrunctional shopper had gone in to the back room and stolen the cart. I know had a defence team everyone that had watched the ordeal made some comment. By now I have placed the items to be purchased by the lady behind me in the middle tier. At one point I told the TE that if he would be willing to go get me another cart I would be happy to give this one to him. All this time he is trying to get back up, I personally heard his back up twice telling him that it is OK just go back to what you are doing.
A lot of the reason why I took the cart was the lady two behind me she had the balancing act going as she scooted other items with her feet. By the time all was said and done her husband had returned and was grateful to have the top tier of our cart. Community Service Yes that is what I call what I did that day for some fellow shoppers and yes it did feel good (as it always does when you help someone) Through the long lines we passed many employees and a few security guards not a one looked at us strangely.
#2 Later that evening with our purchases tucked away I was trying to get my boys to go to bed. Heather has a day bed with a trundle in our room. the deal is the boys alternate nights to sleep on top. Thomas is crying And James is being very persistent that Thomas got top last night. I repeatedly told him no that he had kicked me all night, getting flustered I sent him to talk to his dad. Pete came in and said that Thomas had slept in the top bed, I said "no, James kicked me all night." (The next line is the best) Pete looked at me as if I were an idiot and said "When did you find time to sleep last night" Since I has shopped all night I had zeroed that night out and was remembering 2 nights ago.

Good Thanksgiving

More Battle wounds

Today the school called once again James and bloodd in the same sentence. This time we did make the trip to the clinic to see if it required stitches. Luckily it wasn't too deep. Hopefully his clumsy streak is over. He ran into the wall this time

Get out of my way OR ELSE

Well the day has come. Yesterday we got a call from the school saying James needs a new shirt, due to the other one being covered in blood. Well as you know I won't just sit around and wait to find out what happened so off to the school we go. No he hadn't got into a fight. Maybe I should refraise that. The other party is now cracked and James is very PROUD. From what we've got out of it James tripped over a kid and fell, acording to J he landed hard enough to crack the concrete.He thinks it sounds better than just saying he fell. We figure if he wants to tell people he was fighting we'll pass out the pics of him and his sister and let them think a Girl did it!