Just some photos from our LV trip.

Our Ellie Update

I do want to write a little Ellie Birthday Blog, but... it is Valentine's Day and we have spent the day celebrating Ellie's B-day and now it is time to spend the evening with my Valentine. He's finally home! I did want to let everyone know that the meeting on Thursday was a complete success. There might be a few kinks we will need to work out in our meeting in two weeks, but Ellyn is going to get everything I asked for. She will have an in class aide and an after school program. Both aides will come from the specific company that I requested, it could even be the same aide that stays with her all day. The staff at Central Coast Kids and Family are all highly qualified. They have to have a BA, which doesn't mean everything but it means that this is their focus and their long term goal, not a filler job. Ellyn's speech and OT are going to beefed up, we will have a coordination team that meets twice a month so that we are all on the same page at home and school. I know we will still have to work hard and also, that this is going to take another month or two to set up completely, but we got it all!!!!! Thank you everyone for all of your thoughts and prayers. I felt them. I couldn't have done it without my friend Meghan. She had done all of the legwork already for her son, researching services in the area, refreshed in all the legaleze that I hadn't had much time to read up on again since last Spring, she even came to the meeting with me for support. She was Awesome!

The results of all of Ellyn's assessments were kind of disheartening. At this point they say she is functioning at 30% of the full developmental level for her age group. The psychologist suggested that Ellyn might have slight mental retardation. Ellyn's occupational therapist spoke up and said that she didn't think so, that Ellyn just hadn't had the help that other kids in the program had experienced since a young age. It is exactly what I was about to say and I did. We just have to give this kid a chance. She has NEVER had what she needed, okay, for a summer up in Washington when she was two. Let's do it right and see what happens. If she is, so be it, but let's not go there yet.

Okay- obviously it has been awhile since I started that post. Things are still going well. A couple of kinks have cropped up but we are working on them. Thank goodness Mike has been home this week. I have spent hours on the phone and hours in meetings. Tomorrow I go to an all day training. I'm so grateful I have Jane and Mike.

Yes, it is wonderful having Mike home. It has been busy, even with him home most of the week and Jane and Sadie home for mid winter break. We did get to go hiking with the two oldest and Sawyer one day while Ellyn was at school and he took those three again another day while I was in a meeting.

Attempt number 3- I'm posting, finished or not or this will never get out. Off to SCERTS training- the program we will be using for Ellyn- lots of love. Me

It's the long lost Dave!  I don't think I have written much on here for several months. Embarrassing.  I don't have much exciting to say, but I will fill you in on what is going on in our lives.

Kim, it is your birthday already here so we hope you have a great one! We love you.  

We missed you this morning before we went to run. I have a hard time remembering that you are a day ahead of us so we really should have tried last night. I hope you had a good one...and that the package arrived!

I remember how worried everyone was about my mental state when you were born. I guess the day before a woman had had a fourth boy and went bonkers! I really have always enjoyed having the four of you in a row. It turned out just right and was no biggy since I was planning on having more children anyway! I remember singing on our way to your preschool at the college in Seattle....I remember you running around the couch with Nstops....I remember you being so concerned that you were NEVER going to grow when you were about 14!

You are such a great person in so many ways...a great son, a great husband, a great father...and I'm sure a great dentist. We love you!!!

Mom (and Dad, who is taking a shower so he can get to work on time!)

-- Post From My iPhone

-- Post From My iPhone

So, if you didn't know Lorie Davis from Southfield,, then forget it but at least Brian, Mom, and I have eternal entertainment guaranteed.

www.grandma-lorie.blogspot.com

Enjoy!




-- Post From My iPhone

http://shock.military.com/Shock/videos.do?displayContent=184701

Woohoo!! So as I am sure you all already know, Adam made it to the Top 36 on American Idol! Now it is up to you guys to vote for him and tell everyone you know to vote for him! I don't think he is on next week but when he is on, be sure to watch. Thanks!! :)

Kids Are Quick
____________________________________

TEACHER: Maria, go to the map and find North America .
MARIA: Here it is.
TEACHER: Correct. Now class, who discovered America ?
CLASS: Maria.
____________________________________

TEACHER: John, why are you doing your math multiplication on the floor?
JOHN: You told me to do it without using tables.
__________________________________________

TEACHER: Glenn, how do you spell 'crocodile?'
GLENN: K-R-O-K-O-D-I-A-L'
TEACHER: No, that's wrong
GLENN: Maybe it is wrong, but you asked me how I spell it.
____________________________________________

TEACHER: Donald, what is the chemical formula for water?
DONALD: H I J K L M N O.
TEACHER: What are you talking about?
DONALD: Yesterday you said it's H to O.
__________________________________

TEACHER: Winnie, name one important thing we have today that we didn't have ten years ago.
WINNIE: Me!
__________________________________________

TEACHER: Glen, why do you always get so dirty?
GLEN: Well, I'm a lot closer to the ground than you are.
_______________________________________

TEACHER: Millie, give me a sentence starting with ' I. '
MILLIE: I is..
TEACHER: No, Millie..... Always say, 'I am.'
MILLIE: All right... 'I am the ninth letter of the
alphabet.'
________________________________

TEACHER: George Washington not only chopped down his father's cherry
tree, but also admitted it. Now, Louie, do you know why his father didn't punish him?
LOUIS: Because George still had the axe in his hand.
______________________________________

TEACHER: Now, Simon, tell me frankly, do you say prayers before eating?
SIMON: No sir, I don't have to, my Mom is a good cook.
______________________________

TEACHER: Clyde , your composition on 'My Dog' is exactly the same as
your brother's. Did you copy his?
CLYDE : No, sir. It's the same dog.
___________________________________

TEACHER: Harold, what do you call a person who keeps on talking when people are no longer interested?
HAROLD: A teacher
__________________________________

On Thursday I have to go in and meet with all of Ellyn's educators. I'm asking for some big things that Ellyn really needs (an in class aide and an after school home program). We have huge budget issues here in California right now. Prayers would be great. Lots of love to all.

We decided to cut Melia's hair because it finally got longer in the front... She did really well. She was a little scared but my friend who was doing the cut calmed her down... Hope you enjoy

I feel like blogging so here goes. I don't really have any news so I'll do a "Day in the Life of Marnie" for what I have done so far today...

I know, I know...my resolutions don't last too long but it is quarterly report time for Columbia Basin College so I've been trying to wedge into my life some work time which believe it or not is kind of tough. I also don't have much excuse since I don't even have the temple on Wednesday morning as it is closed for three weeks (they are putting a separate entrance in for the baptistry) Going out of town every weekend hasn't helped much either. The weekends have been great though. Cowboy Poetry weekend is always so fun...with being with Martha and Dick especially. Then it was great coming home to a house full of family who had just finished watching the Super Bowl. A couple of rounds of Dominion just really filled out my weekend. Today, I went to a Stake Women's Conference which was really good (I had to make 100 cupcakes on Thursday for it!)...then Dad and I went to the wedding of one of his dental assistants. Very interesting since it was all in Russian. I think we were the only ones there who knew no Russian! Her brother and one of her cousins came up to our table at the reception and helped clue us in to what was going on. The music from the choir at the wedding was really interesting...very slavic. It was just fascinating to have a view into a whole different culture and customs. They were all non-drinkers so I think it was pretty calm as Russian weddings go.

Well, now for my playlist. This was a really fun exercise for me as it really made me think about what music meant to me...I probably missed some...but here goes:

1. Twist and Shout- Beatles- This reminds me of my high school years with the Adelphians and the "joints" with other clubs...and dancing up a storm. (can you picture that!)
2. It only takes a moment- Hello, Dolly--actually this version is by Michael Crawford but I associate it with Hello, Dolly which was one of Wa-wa's favorite musicals. When it was in Wall-e it brought back so many memories of my home with them. It also made me think of meeting Dad for the first time and how our eyes met and we knew that something would come of this relationship.
3. You Must Love Me- Madonna- This always makes me think of our struggles throughout the years.
4. Suo Gan- Empire of the Sun- I have always loved this song, the beautiful voices and the movie. It always makes me feel a little melancholy and homesick for some reason.
5. Dancing Queen- Abba- especially the rendition in the Mamma Mia movie makes me think about the young wild Barbie that most of you have a hard time picturing. (maybe that's progress!)
6. This is Dedicated- Mamas and Papas--I know this duplicates Dad's list but with all our separations this was our theme song.
7. Love is Spoken Here- not sure about this rendition but it was all that was available. I always hoped that this might be the way my children remembered their home even if we weren't perfect all the time!
8. Honey, I'm Home- Shania Twain- reminds me of all the years spent working in San Diego.
9. I'm Proud to be an American- Lee Greenwood- this was actually one of my favorites long before 9/11. One of the boy's classes sang this in a program in Valentine and I remember having tears come to my eyes since we were struggling financially at that time and under a lot of stress. It continued to mean a lot as we went through our nosedive and I realized how important family was...no matter what the world could do to you.
10. Blowing in the Wind- Peter, Paul and Mary- you can't grow up in Berkeley in the 60's and not have this song mean something to you.
11. I am Woman- Helen Reddy- I remember having this blast in the car as I left Dad on the pier for his first cruise and was leaving to drive back to New York with just 2 year old Mike---actually not quite two...with tears rolling down my cheeks.
12. How Firm a Foundation- I wasn't originally sure about this rendition but I actually like it quite a bit. I love the words to this song. When I was a child, it had the words in the chorus "you who unto Jesus" and we used to laugh about the "Yoo Hoo"....I'm sure that is why they changed it. It means a lot to me...as the gospel is such a firm foundation in my life that has taken me through so many trials in my life...and will continue to do so...

Love you all....thanks Marnie for suggesting this....

Mom

She said she wanted to dance to Blah (which is Belle). So here it is!

So now you see why she truly is my better half, though I am pretty sure you have all figured that out by now. If any doubt her sincerity, just know the woman tears up at beer commercials or when flowers lose a petal.

I am finally approaching the last week here. I can't wait to get back and be a real part of the family and not just there for a vacation. The course has been worthwhile but it could have waited until after grad school, like when I am on my way to an operational assignment. Oh well, at least it is done.

So I am registered for a half trail marathon on April 11. It is up in Muir Woods north of the Golden Gate bridge. So there is my open invite to join me. Here is the link. There is also a race the week prior in the same area and I am willing to do that one also if that works better for anyone.

Mom, you need to get on it. You are failing at your resolution to blog. Just though I would throw that out there.

Well I really just blogged because I am going crazy by myself. That means you all need to provide interesting updates.

Mike

On our drive back from Washington Mike and I were using our box of "dinner conversation" cards to help us stay awake. One of the cards asked "What do you admire most about your parents?" Mike and I took turns answering for each of our four parents. This is why admire Kenn. I can't really put these in any particular order, they just are.

First, I know how much he loves his children and his grandchildren. He is one of the most loving fathers I know. He has endeared himself to me many times over through his very sincere love for Mike and concern for his physical and emotional well being. I don't think there is anything he wouldn't do for any of his kids if it needed to be done and he could possibly do it. Having a houseful of girls, I have especially loved observing the tender relationship he has with each of his daughters. It thrills me to think that Mike and our girls will follow that path as well. As far as grandchildren, it has trickled down to each of them. The Team Ellyn Autism Walk still brings tears to my eyes.

Second, his testimony and his commitment to his callings. When we lived in Washington I was able to witness Kenn's calling in YM and the time and effort he put forth in serving the young men in his ward. I know he cared for each of those boys. At one point he had the shaved head to prove it. I have heard him bear his testimony and felt the spirit. We still have the notes he wrote for the talk he gave at Jane's baptism. I remember being so sick at the Stinchfield family reunion and having my husband and all of my Stinchfield brothers and my father in law walk into my room to give me a blessing. I was in awe and oh so grateful for the power of the priesthood. Each of those men that had lived worthy to hold that power and they were led by the example of their father. That same trip they gave little Sadie her baby blessing.

Third, the guy knows how to have fun and he makes sure everyone is having fun with him. He has been so generous with his time and his, um, resources. We have had so many great adventures with Kenn. He made sure I made it to Mike's boot camp graduation and then rented a car to take him to AIT so that we all could have another day together. He came to visit us in Oklahoma and took us down to Texas and the water park and Six Flags. Trips to Disney World, visits in Georgia, a trip to Charleston. A visit to Germany where, while we were in Salzburg, we decided to swing on down to Venice. How fun was that you may ask? Very doesn't even cover it.

Besides the trips, there are the other great things. Decorating the jeep and house with Christmas lights, the fire pit on the patio where we have spent many a summer evening laughing and eating, the hot tub, the BOAT, the MONEY DROP for the kids. Dressing up as Santa, the Kenn and Barb dancing bobble heads, the remote controlled helicopters. The list has and could go on forever (Barb, I know you are a part of these too).

FOURTH, the great relationship he has with Barb. It is wonderful to see how much the two of you enjoy being together. Truly inspirational.

And so... Kenn, I want to wish you a happy birthday from the Mike Stinchfield clan and tell you how very, very grateful we all are that you were born.

we love you.

You are the best dad a girl could ask for. Thank you for being you!

Thanks to all for the gifts that we received. We had a small little party at home with the family and our friend, Mark and his girlfriend. Beck sure enjoyed his cake.

Danica has been cracking me up lately. Besides being OBSESSED with watching Dora and playing with our next door neighbor she has also been developing her imagination. She’s constantly pretending she’s doing something, mostly being a mother her to baby doll who is sad a lot... not sure what that means. But anyway, I inadvertently found a way to torture her. One night we were reading a bed time story about different animals noses. At the end it talks of human noses and I pretended to grab Danica’s nose, showing the top of my thumb in my fist they way my dad used to do to me. Well, she freaked out! She started crying and demanding I give back her nose because she needed it! I could not convince her she still had it! The next day we were driving in the car and Alyssa was just being loud and yelling so Danica and Hayden pretended to put in ear plugs. For some reason Hayden leaned over and pretended to take out Danica’s imaginary ear plugs. Oh my, was she upset! She didn’t stop yelling until Hayden pretened to put them back in!!!

Funny story about Alyssa: she is saying new words daily which is soooooo fun because Danica never did that! Danica would just look at me in silence... but anyway, all summer when we would arrive home at night the headlights would shine on the house and we would see geckos all over it so Danica would always yell out “gecko!” Well, the gecko’s are hibernating or something but now every time we pull up to the house, day or night, Alyssa yells out “gecko!”

Sometimes it’s great to be in the military: Tom has work off tomorrow for the superbowl. (We are ahead of the states so the Superbowl is on at 8:00am Monday morning!) We plan to spend the day hanging out with friends!