Kid Quote of the Week...or Month.

Me to Carly: "What are you doing? Are you feeding your baby?"
Carly: "Ya."
Me: "What are you feeding her, a baby bottle?"
Carly: "No, Pizza!"

May 2010

I know my posts are probably getting boring to you all, but I really need to get these facebook status on here for my records. I'll try to finish these up so you can read more entertaining posts from me. Because I want to hurry this up, I think I am not going to include the comments made by others. I will, however, continue delighting you with my follow up comments to better explain why I posted that status. Welcome to my May of 2010~

PAST:

May 3, 2010

"picked Raya up from school after she puked all over her Star testing booklet...apparently she told the teacher she needed to go to the office because she felt like she was going to throw up and the teacher didn't let her because they were testing...Guess that's what the teacher gets (even though the teacher tole me that Raya only asked to use the restroom)...."

PRESENT NOTES:
I just recently got Raya's star testing scores back...and let's just say that her scores reflected her sickness. She's always had really good score, but these ones were just your average Joe's. When I got to the school to pick her up, I went up to the class to get her belongings. I asked the teacher what happened. Her teacher told me that Raya had asked to go to the bathroom, and since they were STAR testing, she told Raya no (it's a timed test). Her teacher did tell me that if Raya would have told her that she felt like she was going to throw up, she would have let her go. When I got Raya into the car and asked Raya about it, Raya told me that she told the teacher she had to throw up but that Mrs. Pearsall wouldn't let her go. I believed Raya. I'm her mother and I know when she is lying about something and besides, why would she feel the need to lie about this. On the other hand, the teacher possibly felt the need to lie since she would have been the one with that would catch the slack for not letting Raya go to the bathroom. Needless to say, Raya got a new test but was forced to copy her answers down from her old puked on one. Too bad she couldn't just re-take it since she confessed to me that she was just filling in bubbles for two days because she didn't feel good. No wonder she scored "average" overall.
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PAST:

On May 6, 2010

"moving has been postpone *tears* Floor is not finished...Hopefully tomorrow or Saturday..."

PRESENT NOTES:

We were planning on moving into our new house on May 6th, but we didn't have the floors completely done so we had to postpone the move. Our neighbor Jennifer's brother came down and spent ALL DAY LONG putting our laminate flooring down, but he didn't get to the door way covers. Don't get me wrong, I was super grateful since he did it for free, but I was a little frustrated because I JUST WANTED TO MOVE!!! We purchased our bedroom carpet from Lowe's and a very nice installer came out and took pity on us and actually spent a major part of the day helping us finish up the edging of the laminate floors. We paid him some extra money, on the side, and it was such a relief to get that handled....not if we could finish the rest of the house...
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PAST:

On May 7, 2010

"IT'S MOVING DAY!!!! For real this time...Any help is appreciated. It's probably going to be one of those all day kind of things...;-)"

PRESENT NOTES:

After work, Many of Patrick's co-workers showed up and moved 95% of our stuff. They ROCKED it! We were FINALLY IN OUR OWN HOME!!!!
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PAST:

On May 11, 2010

"Has moved! We no longer live at the address you have nor do we have the same phone number that you have. You can call it, but I can't guarantee that some crazy old man won't answer it, in fact, that's probably what is going to happen, so if you want my new information, call my cell. Oh and, I'm still in and out of Internet...I am having major withdrawals!!!!"

PRESENT NOTES:

Moved four houses up and across the street...such a HUGE move!
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PAST:

May 24, 2010

"Happy Birthday to my Malia!!! 8 years old already!"

PRESENT NOTES:



8 Years old! That's a big birthday! Malia was super excited for this birthday! Of course a birthday is exciting as always, but now Malia was old enough to be baptized. She had been talking about it for a long time and now, she could get baptized!

Since Raya's birthday was a few weeks later, the girls had a combined swim party, the same day of Malia's baptism. I'll post more about that with a different Facebook Status... Happy Birthday Malia! 8 years old already! Where does the time go?
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PAST:

MAY 25, 2010

"Preschool Graduation today! My baby boy is growing up! Kindergarten better watch out!"

PRESENT NOTES:







I've already posted about Ethan's preschool graduation, but I've got to say that it was such a relief to be done with it! As easy as teaching Joy School was, it was nice to not have that responsibility anymore...Phew!
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PAST:

May 26, 2010

"13 years of marriage is sneaking up on Patrick and I real quick...Sunday to be exact! Where does the time go??? Oh, I know, raising the four beautiful kids we have together..."

PRESENT NOTES:



I know that I've said this time and time again, but WHERE DOES THE TIME GO? It's crazy to me that Patrick and I have been married for 13 years AND have 4 kids together. I think once you have kids, time flies even more...It's surreal to think about how quickly life is passing by...I just wish it would slow down a bit...maybe after the the kids are out of the house :-)
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PAST:

May 27, 2010

"so glad that I got all my errands done before the rain and thunder...what's up with the weather mother earth??? I'm not really complaining or anything...I mean, it beats the 110 degrees that you will soon share with us, but I'm confused?!?!?!?!"

PRESENT NOTES:

I recently read somewhere online that this summer has been the coolest summer since 1950 something. And I can really tell. We have had some super HOT days, but for the most part, it's been pretty mild, which has been nice on the electric bill...
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PAST:

May 28, 2010

"hanging out late with my little night owl Malia...she used to go to bed at 7pm sharp every night...now, she's the last kid awake...at least she's keeping me company while I fold laundry...."

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PAST:

May 29, 2010

"remembering Dawna today."

PRESENT NOTES:

Dawna's memorial service was this day. Raya, Malia, and I sang at it. It was very simple and sweet. At it, I learned why she was named Dawna Marie...Her parents were apparently huge fans of DONNY & MARIE, and so they named her after that duo. She even got to meet them when she was younger. She was a beautiful lady. She'll be missed by a ton of people!
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PAST:

May 30, 2010

"Happy Anniversary to my Patrick. 13 years down and forever to go! Love you!"

PRESENT NOTES:














I can't seem to remember how we celebrated this year...so lame! This is why I need to keep a blog going...These pictures take me back to a time when life was much more simple. Life was good, but only time and a continued love for someone brings the patience needed to survive marriage...
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Here are some random pictures from May. I did the kids photos for their photo collages I hang on the wall. Raya had a huge state project she did for school and I took photos of her working on it. Grandma and Grandpa Durling came to visit and we got them on the Wii Fit (That was fun to watch). And there are a few other random photos that were cute.

April 2010

It's been awhile since I've done a Facebook catch-up. I better get working on it because it's almost September...YIKES!

On April 1, 2010 at 5:20pm, I posted the following photo:

COMMENTS:

~Dorothy Fowler Gregersen: seriously....seriously AWESOME....just like you!!!

~Heather McDowell West: that is soo cute!

~Jennifer Thompson: Team Ethan!!!!!!!!

~Sarah Andrews: Oh....my........GOSH! Are you kidding me with this?!?! Freakin' awesome!
~Christine Brown Santos: cute! great memory!

~Kristi Goldrup: you are soooo talented!

~Jamie Thomas-Gandy: That is so funny, they look so serious

~Ken Graham: That's so cool. I can hear the "Eye of the Tiger" playing in the background just looking at this picture.

~Jennifer Durling Maness Nelson: Oh wow this is awesome! You do great work, Rachael! And Ethan is such a stud!!!

PRESENT NOTES:

I remember this time very well. I remember I was really stressed about things (mostly the deadline of the 2010 School Yearbook) and so was my little brother who was stressed also about something (I'm sure it had to do with getting into Paramedic schol)..Anyway, we decided to do this poster. I had a lot of fun and it turned out awesome. I love how Ethan has the whole "fighter face" down. Totally funny!

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PAST:

On April 2, 2010 at 5:07pm, I wrote:

"Just closed on our new house..."yup, that's my "news"

COMMENTS:

~Rebecca Blecker-Knorr: Congrats!

~Dorothy Fowler Gregersen: YAYYYYYY... OK we need all the details...where, sq footage, when r u moving.. I'm so happy for you...YAYYYYY

~Jason Poindexter: Nice!

~Hillary Loomis: WOO-HOO!! CONGRATS

~Britni Olvera Nelson: in the ward???

~Alyna Reagan: Yay, congrats!

~Alan Henrie: DUDE!!! that's awesome! Where?

~Karl M Larsen: OK, I'm moving in next week

~Dorothy Fowler Gregersen: Is it in IDAHO??? Oh, I hope, hope, hope....holding my breath....;}
~Katie Kenney Pack: Where are u moving to?

~Quinn Bane: yeah... details!

~Jennifer Durling Maness Nelson: Yay for you guys!!!! I am so happy for you!

~Rachael Poindexter Durling: ok, everyone....are you ready???? This is a HUGE HUGE MOVE!!!! We are moving across the street and four houses up...I know, huge! We are excited!!! It's the same layout that we are in now only mirrored and well, outdated...but it's ours!!!!
~Quinn Bane: Well at least you don't need to rent a truck!

~Karl M Larsen: when can I move in?

~Heidi Menebroker Lettau: Good point Quinn.

~Jamie Thomas-Gandy: Congrats!! I am so excited for you guys!

~Kristi Goldrup: YAH!!!!!..GOOD FOR YOU GUYS!!!

~Amber Ballard Rice: Congrats Rachael. So is your house your in now going to be available to rent?

~Melissa Kriser Bowers: congrats!!!! where is it at?

~Dorothy Fowler Gregersen: r u right next to Gambetti's?

~Rachael Poindexter Durling: no, there's two houses in between their house and where I am now...

~Melissa Kriser Bowers: how fun! hope all goes well with the HUGE move! ;)

~Scott M. Robinson: Does that mean u need boxes again?

~Michelle Haag Page: 4 words for the new homeowners..Let the work begin. Congrats

~Patrick Durling: Rachael exaggerated how far we are moving by about 25%. It's across the street, but only three houses down, not four. :-)

~Jeniffer Taylor Ketcherside: That is so awesome congratulations

~Marisa Vining Henrie: I thought that might be what your news was....congrats you guys! Closing is sooo stressful and sooo exciting! And hey, at least the move won't be too bad!
~Christine Brown Santos: Finally!!! Glad everything worked out for you! YIPPIE! Let us know if you need help.

~Holly Graham Matua: awsome......so happy to hear that!!!!! Congrats!!

~April Styron: Awesome!!! Hurry up and pack, and then unpack so we can come see!!!

PRESENT NOTES:

This was such an exciting time in our lives! Our very first new home! Despite all the horror stories we heard from people about the process of buying a home, everything went extrememly smooth. The only hang-up we had was with the fences in the backyard. Basically they were there but blown over. After our realtor (my cousin) tried to get the bank to replace them, they decided that just removing them was all that they were required to do. This debate delayed our closing for about a week, but we still closed 2 weeks early. After signing all the papers, we had to wait about a 3 weeks before we got our keys. Sounds crazy, I know, but we had to wait for all the people to get their stuff together and fences to come down and this and that. I can't remember the exact date of when the key was given to us (I'm sure that will be posted here on my facebook update soon), but I will never forget the freeing feeling of owning my own home...Free to demolish, paint, build, whatever I want. I have a ton of pictures of the construction that went on for weeks after we got our key and I will upload them for a later post, but here's a little bit of a teaser picture of what you can expect:

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PAST:

On April 3, 2010 at 11:56pm, I wrote:

"Please somebody tell me that I'm not a bad mommy for not having an Easter dinner planned or even an easter egg hunt ...aren't baskets enough?"

COMMENTS:

~Tammy Larsen: But you are going to feed them some kind of dinner, right? ;) And baskets are all good!

~Trisha Larsen: if the weather is bad due to the rain there will be, of course there should be an egg hunt. unless you want it indoors. dinner can be whatever you want it to be, you're cooking it.
~Nikki Painter: There are so many freakin' traditions for each holiday anymore you can't be expected to cover them all. They should be happy they get fed at all! It's a day full of sugar, over excitment over eggs, brand new outfits to get dirty and stressing out after about them getting up and out the door in time for school the next day. Who ever decided Spring Break should be the week before Easter obviously didn't have kids. Grrrrr....

~Heidi Menebroker Lettau: I was supposed to get them brand new outfits? =)

~Holly Johnson: Baskets are totally sufficient! i'd take a basket over a hunt anyday.

~Maritza Kongthong Madrigal: It's raining. You're off the hook on the egg hunt. Baskets for four is more than plenty!!!

~Yolanda Gonzalez: Nothing wrong with that, besides it's all about Jesus.

~Heidi Hufstetler Wright: after 2 Easter dinners and wayyy to much time in the kitchn, i give you a resounding WAY TO GO RACHAEL! SIMPLIFY!!!

~Rachael Poindexter Durling: I stayed in my PJ's all day and so did my kids...we had a small egg hunt with empty easter eggs in the house and cream of wheat for dinner...hahahaha...I guess I should mention that we did a big easter egg hunt and dinner yesterday with Patrick's family up in Oroville...so my kids weren't totally neglected...and they did get their easter baskets so I don't feel bad ;-)

~Shirley Hale Braun: totally fine, epecially if you did festivities yesterday! Growing up, the Easter Bunny always came on Saturday to our house so Sunday could be focused on the Savior.
~Belinda Lawlor Durling: We had our Easter dinner in the car (very messy car with everything thrown in at the last minute). Grandma packed the dinner she was going to feed us since we ran out realizing we had to hurry over the mountains to get out of California before we couldn't get out tomorrow. I-80 was requiring chains, we had to go on 70.

~Jennifer Durling Maness Nelson: I would say you're an awesome mommy for teaching your kids the true meaning of Easter, and an even awesomer mommy for letting them have baskets to-boot! You're great. Belinda, sounds like you had quite an Easter adventure!

~Amanda McNamara: Are you kidding? You seem like an excellent mother to me...Easter or whatever notwithstanding. @Nikki--LMAO, and I fully agree. Rachael--think "How the Grinch Stole Christmas"

PRESENT NOTES:

Cream of Wheat for Dinner???? Really???? I honestly don't remember that. Hopefully my kids won't either. On another note, Belinda (my sister-in-law married to Patrick) and her family came out from Utah and we were able to visit with them as well as Patrick's oldest brother Christopher and his family, so really, it was a wonderful easter!

(some of the many Durling cousins)

I can't believe I didn't take any pictures of Easter Morning...I must have, but I just can't find them *sigh*

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PAST:

On April 7, 2010 at 10:08 am, I wrote:

"Ethan's prayer last night..."Please bless mommy that she can get get some exercise..." Where does he come up with this stuff???"

COMMENTS:

~April Hahn: Kayley told me the other day ". That's it Mommy, you can't dye your hair anymore". Me, " why is that Kayley ". Kayley, " Because Dr. Oz said so !.. LOL

~Jennifer Thompson: Yay Ethan! He must hear us talking about our walks...which should start soon!

~Amanda Hinman: Bwaaaahhhahaahahaha how funny! Kids say the darndest things!
~Jamie Thomas-Gandy: Boot Camp Ladies!! : )

~Jeniffer Taylor Ketcherside" lmao
~Dee Dee Dannan: Too Funny!!

~Jennifer Thomas-Webb: Ahahahahhahaha !!!!! Kids are sooo funny!

~Sheree Sultana-Bos :So funny...how did you and hubby not start to roll on the floor laughing right in the middle of the prayer?

~Nicole Zimmerman: SOOOOOOOOO funny!

~Candice Nite: Haha hahah ahaha ha ha!

~Jennifer Nebeker: i'm afraid the things she will say when sophie starts forming sentences.....lol
~Patrick Durling: I swear I didn't tell him to say it!

PRESENT NOTES:

Now you know why I've included the "Kid Quote of the Week" section to my blog :) __________________________________________________

PAST:

On April 9, 6:33pm, I wrote:

"Just returned form the Emergency Room with Carly. 2nd degree burns on one foot and first degree burns on the other foot. We'll be visiting Shriners Hospital on Monday."

COMMENTS:

~Michelle Haag Page: Oh no. So sorry to hear that. Your family will be in my prayers

~Andi Borland: oh my....what happened?

~Katie Kenney Pack: What happened?

~Melissa Kriser Bowers: OUCH! What happened?

~Barbara Sell- Whitlock: Oh no I will keep you all in my prayers for speedy recovery! poor baby :(

~Patrick Durling: She's doing well. The pain killers really helped. We got her some McDonald's and she's watching spongebob, with her little feet all wrapped up.

~Kristi Goldrup: OHHHH...Sending Prayers to her...sweet babee

~Kerry Allen McFarland: Oh man... Poor thing, tell the story when you have time. I'm sad for you guys :(

~Andi Borland: AGAIN.....WHAT HAPPENED! Family from afar wants to know!
~Rachael Poindexter Durling: She was playing in the bathroom sink and decided she would just bathe in there. I guess she got into the sink and turned on the hot water. Since she as up high, she couldn't get out and didn't know to turn off the water. At first peep, I knew what happened and thankfully was able to reach her within seconds. She cried for over an hour straight. The... See More nurse gave her some pain killers and she fell asleep until they started to wrap her feet. She started crying again, but has since calmed down and has been fed a nutrious meal supplied from our local McDonalds and is watching Spongebob...We have to change her dressings twice a day and she will be seen by a burn specialist at Shriners hospital on Monday...She'll be fine, but it's still so sad!

~Melissa Kriser Bowers: hot water!?! are you kidding me!?! Oh poor sweet girly!

~Rachael Poindexter Durling: The burn looks WAY worse than the picture...It was pretty red by the time they dressed it.

~Chrysta Thomas McCombs: Poor baby!! How sad!!

~Andi Borland: I'm so sorry! I'll never forget when Grant put his hand on a red hot burner. The blisters were horrid! We laid on the floor with his hand in a bowl of ice. YUK! You'll be in our prayers tonight!!

~Mary Hester: hugs

~April Styron: Oh my goodness!!! Hope she gets better really soon!!!

~Heather McDowell West: I'm sooo sorry! She will be fine... just breathe...accidents happen. Our son was SEVERELY sunburned when he was 7 with 2nd and 3rd degree burns (husband not reapplying sunscreen while the kids swam all day while I was at work)... he was blistered so bad he had IV therapy daily for a week. We felt terrible... Ian is fine now... the 2 weeks after were difficult... just keep your chin up. I will put your names on the prayer rolls at the LA Temple in the morning. ;o)

~Karl M Larsen: that's what happens when you walk on hot coals

~Nicole Zimmerman: poor baby girl...

~Dorothy Fowler Gregersen: oh man, tonight's probably not going to be fun...so sorry.. I've been thru a terrible burn with Justin when he was 2 .. aloe vera helps..hugs for Carly & mommy too..((((HUG))))

~Jamie Thomas-Gandy :Omg, Rachael, That is so sad. : ( Poor Baby! Glad she is feeling a little better.

~Candice Nite: I'm so sorry to hear that. Take care, and wishing you some sleep and your little one a speedy recovery.

~Sheri Howton Twardecki: Poor Carly! I'm so sorry! Let me know if u need help with the other kids Monday or whenever!!!! And turn your hot water heater down....

~Candace Smith Sauter: Oh no! Poor thing! I hope she heals quickly and doesn't hurt too badly.
~Sandra Rogers McConeghy: Shriners is a very nice place, kid friendly, and I'm sure you'll like it. Be sure to visit the 2nd floor for fun if you have time. They have an outdoor playground too. Took Alana there for a scoliosis operation a couple of years ago. Good luck with everything.
~Shirley Hale Braun: Oh no! I guess that's why they always say to turn your water heater down to 120 degrees max. Hmmm....I should check what mine is set at!

~Sandy Nobes: ouch! Hope everything is ok!!

~Jennifer Nebeker: poor baby.

~Jason Anderson: I'm so sorry to hear that. I can't imagine going through pain like that. We'll be thinking about her.

~Dawn Neel Beltran: Sorry to hear that. I hope she recovers soon!

~Alyna Reagan: How scary! I hope she gets better soon! *Hugs to Carly and you*

~Scott M. Robinson: my girl burned her back on a space heater, now she has a honeycomb shaped scare on her back.... but its ok cause shes to young for a tatoo, right? oh and the aloe.. cool, not cold, thats important. and it really does actually work. good luck, and i'm sorry about the hurting kiddo.

~Denise Wilson Samuelson: Poor baby I hope she's doing better today

~Kelly Peterson: Aww-I'm sorry to hear about carly- hope she is doing better.

~Jo Peterson: Oh my goodness, that's awful. I'm so sorry Rachael. Ed burned his foot with boiling water during our snow storm in Dec. I can't imagine a little sweet baby suffering thru that. I love you guys and am praying for Carly.

PRESENT NOTES:

I've learned that adults still have to learn lessons the hard way. TURN DOWN YOUR WATER HEATER PEOPLE! It's not worth it. This was one of the most heart wrenching ER visits I've made with a kid of mine. It's so hard to see your child in so much pain, but like most kids, Carly was resilient and up to being herself the next day!

(so red and swollen...my poor baby)

(The human body is so amazing! Look at what her burn looked like in only 5 days!)

Carly actually burned both feet. Her right foot was healed in a day. The above pictures are of her bandages. She had to wear bandages like this for 2 weeks!

The above picture is of Carly eating the McDonalds we got her on the way home from the ER. She just looks like she's been through a tramatic experience. I look at her in this picture and my heart aches that she had to endure what she did :(

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PAST:

On April 10, 2010, I wrote:

"CARLY UPDATE: She slept all night long in her own bed and woke up this morning telling me that her owie was "all better" We changed the dressings and it is still pretty bad, but at least she's not in pain...and she's jumping off my bed as we speak (thank goodness the burn is on top of her foot and not the bottom)..."

COMMENTS:

~Denise Wilson Samuelson: Ahh poor baby. :(

~Jennifer Thompson: Yipes!

~Rachael Poindexter Durling: the swelling has come WAY down...

~Hillary Loomis: Poor baby!!! How did that happen?

~Jeniffer Taylor Ketcherside: OMG poor little angel what happened

~Kristi Goldrup: OUCH!!!!!

~Maritza Kongthong Madrigal: I hope she is feeling better soon. Hang in there mom!

~Alyna Reagan: OW! Oh that looks painful! Poor baby! Glad the pain isn't bad though!

~Suzanne Owens Reginato: oh my thats not good what happen

~Heather Parker Duran: Poor Baby! Makes u want to just never leave her side huh?

~Dee Dee Dannan: OOOOOWWWWWWWEEEE! What happened?

~Dee Dee Dannan: Oh my ...just read your earlier post - soo sorry!

~Mary Hester: hugs

~Kelly Townsend: OMG! How did that happen? Poor Baby.

~Chrysta Thomas McCombs: Oh wow, that sure looks awful. Poor baby! :(

~Lelah Rothschild: That's horrible! Poor Carly!

PRESENT NOTES:

One thing with Facebook is that people miss posts from others all the time. As you can tell by reading the comments above, there were a lot of people who hadn't read my previous status. Just wanted to clear that up. I just showed Carly the pictures of her burnt foot. I asked her if she remembers how she hurt her foot. She said "Hot Water"...Even after 5 months, she hasn't forgot!

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PAST:

On April 12, 2010 at 3:24pm, I wrote:

"Such nice people at Shriner's Hospital...wish I could say the same about their customers...we left without the gameboy...someone stole it right out from under Ethan's feet....so annoying!!! Carly's doing well...Starting to heal...Won't get to play outside for a few more weeks and has to endure the dressing for another couple of weeks at least."

COMMENTS:

~Brandy Amos Greer: Ugh! Some people are so nasty, how do they live with themselves, stealing like that? Glad to hear Carly is doing better!

~Barbara Sell- Whitlock: That is just so sad that someone would do that to a child. I am glad to hear Carly is doing better.

~DanAngie Roos: Wishing Carly a fast recovery....Sorry to hear about what happened...

~Dee Dee Dannan: WTH...Unbelievable! Hugs to little Carly

~Jeniffer Taylor Ketcherside: that is just wrong glad she is feeling better ~Brendian Seymour: That is so lame!! So how did this burn happen?

~Laura Bruns: What people do suprise me every day. :( I'm glad carly is on the mend.

~Patrick Durling: Somehow it makes me feel a little better knowing they didn't get the charger for the gameboy.

PRESENT NOTES:

This still makes me so mad! It's amazing to me that this could have even happened in the first place. Ethan had put the gameboy down on the floor to play with another toy. He was right next to it. I told him to pick it up and bring it to me, but I got up righ after to return paperwork. When I got back, it was gone. I have a pretty good idea of who took it and I asked the kid if he had seen it. He showed me exactly where it "was" but didn't know where it went. I didn't want to pry or delve into it with the parents because the saying "if looks could kill" rang clear in my head. All I could say is that I would not have been surprised to find out that they were packing a gun. Anyway, I let anyone and everyone around me, including the staff that someone had stolen it and to keep their eye out. Of course we never got it back and the saddest part about it is that Ethan was very upset, but he wasn't upset that he lost his gameboy, he was upset that he didn't take care of it and apologized to me while holding back tears. He will be super excited when Santa claus brings him a new one for Christmas this year...I can't wait to see his face :) __________________________________________________

PAST:

(date not specified. Sometime in April)

"Is the time ticking double today??? I can't seem to keep up with it!"

and

"had a fun lunch with my good friend Stasia...she's awesome!" ______________________________________________

PAST:

On April 15, 2010 at 9:53am, I wrote:

"Thinks the human body is amazing! Carly's foot looks sooo good! Still have to wrap it to keep it clean, but I doubt it's even going to scar!"

COMMENTS:

~Jeniffer Taylor Ketcherside: That is so awesome Rachael I turned my water heater down after I saw that the same thing could have happened to one of my kids just as easily thank you for sharing it helped keep my family safer

~Teresa Black: There's a really good chance it won't. When I was little I burned all the skin off my arm and once it healed you couldn't even tell. Children's bodies have an amazing ability to heal.

~Alyna Reagan: So glad it's healing well!

~Lelah Rothschild: Thank goodness! Another one of God's blessings!

PRESENT NOTES:

As you could see in the pictures posted above at 5 days after accident, her foot was healing incredibly well! She has no scar and you cannot even tell she was burned on her foot at all. Amazing!

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PAST:

On April 15, 2010 at 1:51pm, I wrote:

"Ethan wouldn't go in the bathroom to use it because there was a Mosquito Eater in it...when I went in there to "take care of it" he said: "Hi mosquito...my mom's gonna kill you." I need to start keeping a journal of the funny things that kid says..."

COMMENTS:

~Jennifer Durling Maness Nelson: you totally do. He's so original! He's got Patrick's brain.
~Shirley Hale Braun: that's what the blog is for!

PRESENT NOTES:

Yes Shirley! That is what the blog is for and that is why I write once again...there is a reason for the "Kid Quote of the Week" section of this blog... ____________________________________________________

PAST:

On April 20, 2010 at 3:59pm, I wrote:

"is an official home owner...holding my key right now!"

COMMENTS:

~Brandy Amos Greer: YEA!! Congratulations!!!!

~Pawel Twardecki: Congrats!!!!

~Jennifer Nebeker: Wow! Congrats!

~Amber Ballard Rice: Congrats!

~Candice Nite: That's great!! Where? Orangevale

~Anna Durling: Congratulations!

~Sonya Hannon: Yeah!!

~Kristen McDowell Bradford: congrats!!!

~Dee Dee Dannan: WooooHOooooooo!!!! Congratulations!!

~Candace Smith Sauter: Wow! How excititng

~April Styron: When's the party?!?!?!?

~Kristi Goldrup: WoooooooooooooooooHooooooooooooooooo

~Denise Ewing Pinnegar: Congratulations!! :)

~Angelika Mahle: Congratulations!

~Rachael Poindexter Durling: Candice...up four houses and across the street..huge move hah? Still in OV...April...no party planned yet, but when the house is ready, we are definitly partying!!!! I'll let you know...I miss seeing your smiling face everyday when I pick the kids up from school. Thanks everyone for the Congrats! NOw the hard work begins....

~Jennifer Thompson: I can't believe you are moving so far away from me! Wahhhhh! Oh well, at least I don't have to cross the street anymore! LOL Love you guys and SO glad you stayed in the neighborhood. It just wouldn't be the same without you!

~Rachael Poindexter Durling: You are the reason we stayed Jenn!

~Deidre Townsend: do you need help moving??

~Dorothy Fowler Gregersen: Wish I were there to help you move...U know I would don't you?????

~Rachael Poindexter Durling: Yes Dorothy...I know you would...Deidre...yes, but not sure when we are moving...we are upgrading some of the 1978 stuff going on in the house ;-) probably in a couple of weeks. I'll let you know ;-)

~Deidre Townsend: ok!

~Jamie Thomas-Gandy: Congrats Rachael and the whole durling fam! : ) Super excited for you guys!

~Kelly Townsend: yay! house warming party!!!! I will come to yours.

~Lelah Rothschild: Congrats! I'm glad you're staying close by!

~Melissa Kriser Bowers: woot woot!

~Alyna Reagan: Yay congrats! ~Jeniffer Taylor Ketcherside: awesome congratulations

~Michael Howton: Congradulations!!

~Jennifer Durling Maness Nelson: Yay!! How exciting! I'm so happy for you guys. Can't wait to see it.

~Michelle Spaeth: Where?

PRESENT NOTES:

We actually got our keys earlier than expected which was nice. We knew the house needed some work. Little did we know how much work. It's now September and we are still working on it. Finally got the baseboards up the other day. I know I keep promising pictures of the house...truth is, they aren't organized. I will do that and my next post will be all about our house...hopefully :)

_________________________________________

PAST:

On April 22, 2010 at 8:25am, I wrote:

"gearing up for another day of manual labor...looking forward for my house to be move in ready... " _______________________________________________________

PAST:

On April 23,2010 at 7:26am, I wrote:

Ethan: "I want to paint my room in rainbow colors...Hot Brown, Black, and Dark White!" Me: "Dark White?" Ethan: "Ya, it's kind of like a dark silver"

COMMENTS:

~Nikki Painter: And what exactly is Hot Brown? Is that like a neon color?

~April Styron: Awesome!!

~Jennifer Nebeker: What a funny rainbow he envisions!

~Jennifer Thompson: Don't you wish you could actually "see" his vision?

~Michelle Spaeth: I wonder if he meant stripes?

~Melissa Maher Jones: LOL!!! Ethan sounds awesome! I want to see pictures of this man-rainbow!

~Jennifer Durling Maness Nelson: ROFL!! You're gonna have to buy several books to keep up with this guy! CUTE!!!!

~Michael Howton: funny

PRESENT NOTES:

Need I write it again?....5 words...Kid Quote of the Week! ______________________________________________

PAST:

On April 24, 2010 at 6:15pm, I wrote:

"Yearbook completed and submitted...Phew! Thanks Anna Durling for your emotional Support and your spelling abilities ;-)"

COMMENTS:

~Heidi Menebroker Lettau: I can't wait to see it!!

~Kristi Goldrup: YOU ROCK!

~Jody Stout Jensen: That's a great feeling! I've hardly started mine. Congrats!

~Jennifer Durling Maness Nelson: Sounds pretty cool! you're amazing, Rachael!

~Holly Graham Matua: Yay!!!!!! Good job Rachael....that was alot of time and effort and love to pull that together...time to rest your brain now right?

~ Belinda Lawlor Durling: Now you can put your focus on your new house.

PRESENT NOTES:

I don't even know how I got roped into doing the yearbook. I had a partner up until this yearbook. In a way, it was kind of nice doing it by myself. I did have an awesome photographer to help me out though. That made it so easy. The yearbook literally takes like 3 months of my life. Patrick tells me year after year that I will not be doing the yearbook the following year....guess what? I am in the works of planning this years yearbook....what am I doing to myself???

(This is the front cover of the book I designed)

(and the back cover)

Obviously I did the generic "movie" theme. I originally wanted to do a gameboard theme, but felt that it would have been too hard for me to make perfect. Unfortuneatly, this book wasn't perfect either. I had made a major mistake on one of the sixth grade pages, BUT I am super awesome and found a way to fix all the books with a special printed sticker...You wouldn't know it was there unless you felt the page. My photographer didn't even know it was there until I told her...I kept this mistake on the downlow though...only the ones who caught the mistake (ie. front office and principal) knew about it. All in all, the book turned out AMAZING and I have another book to add to my collection. This year made 4 years as yearbook advisor...bring on the 5th! ____________________________________________________________

PAST:

On April 29, 2010 at 8:30am, I wrote:

"Another day in construction land....hopefully we'll be painting soon, then floors, then move...yawn...I'm exhausted!"

COMMENTS:

~Jennifer Thompson: What day are you moving? Ummmm...I think I'm busy that day! JK Seriously, if I'm not working I will be happy to help.

~Rachael Poindexter Durling: we are shooting for Sunday...only because we know you're not working that day ;-)

~Jennifer Durling Maness Nelson: It's a good tired, though, right?

PRESENT NOTES:

I really can't remember...I'm still exhausted! ___________________________________________________

PAST:

On April 29, 2010 at 1:57pm, I wrote:

"getting excited to watch and film Raya and Malia in the school talent show...watch for the video's!"

COMMENTS:

~Michele Upson: I miss that variety show, they don't do anything like that here in our little town!

~Kristi Goldrup: Are you going to be selling them again?

~Dee Dee Dannan: YEAH...ME TOO!! Our little birds should be so cute!

~Rachael Poindexter Durling: yes Kristi...we just decided that today so look for an order form coming home with Lexi soon ;-)

~Shirley Hale Braun: when is the talent show? is mrs johnon still doing it? i haven't talked to her since that first practice.

~Jamie Thomas-Gandy: are you able to post it? I want to see how cute the girls are.

~Rachael Poindexter Durling: I will post it...It will be a while though...trying to get my house move-in-able and then moved....

PRESENT NOTES:

This was my second year filming the talent show. I don't really like to do it because there are sooooo many people in the crowd and I always get a head in the way and the same old man kicking my tri-pod which causes and very huge disription in the 1.5 minute acts! I do make money from it, but I honestly don't know if it is worth it. I think I might just stick to filming my kiddos this school year...less stress you know! Here are the videos of the girls. Raya performed "Viva La Vida" from Coldplay and Malia performed "Girl Put Your Records On" with her friends Brooke and Elora.

(Watch these videos titled "Variety Show" on DVD at the end of this Book)

________________________________________________________

PAST:

On April 29, 2010, at 9:17, I wrote:

"To my friend Dawn Gillis-Casey's Family: May you be comforted by His Spirit in this unfortunate time. Dawna, You were too young to go, but I know you are with our Heavenly Father. May your babies always be looked over by you, their beautiful mother from Heaven. You will be missed."

COMMENTS:
~Kristi Goldrup: hugs to you friend.....xo
~Chrysta Thomas McCombs: Oh my! Way too young. I remember her- she's our age. Wow. I'm shocked. How tragic. What in the world happened, if I may ask?
~Jennifer Durling Maness Nelson: So sorry, Rachael. How sad. I hope the family is all right.
~Jeniffer Taylor Ketcherside: Sorry for your loss Rachael
~Holly Graham Matua: oh my goodness.....this is a shock to read....so sad for Dawna's family...she was a beautiful mother....sad time for her family....I'll pray for them. Remebering the gospel is true she is happy watching over her children!!!!

PRESENT NOTES:
So Tragic! Dawna was a friend of mine from High School and church. She was tragically killed in a car accident on her way to work. Her two young children were in the car with her and were unharmed. News of her death was so shocking and so heart wrenching. Although we had lost contact over the years, we were able to say hi again via Facebook. I am grateful that I was able to get back into contact with her before her passing. She lived in Texas and a funeral was given out there, but a very good friend of hers here in California (Sunshine LaForte) as well as Shannon Richards and Anna Durling were able to put together a memorial for her in California. I was asked to sing at it. Raya and Malia and I were able to sing one of Dawna's favorite songs...I Am A Child of God. Her husband flew from Texas so he could attend and even speak at the memorial. It was great to laugh and hear stories of and about her. She will surely be missed by many!

Durling Decor!

It's about time we get our computer off the kitchen table. It will be nice to actually SIT DOWN as a family for dinner each night again. Patrick and I finally decided to fork over the money and get a desk for the computer. It's amazing at how much cleaner and organized the dining area looks now!


(Yes, our dining room floor is still concrete. Even though we have the flooring sitting in our garage, we like the concrete look. It totally matches our "construction" decor.)

We were also blessed to be on the receiving end of an awesome Cabinet Grand Piano!



From what I gather, this piano was built in 1903. Do the math and that makes it an actual Antique! Most people living on this earth today weren't even born when this piano was made. All the keys play, but it could use a tuning and a cleaning. I am looking forward to learning many Coldplay songs and rockin' them on that thing. The girls have already started making up their own songs and I believe we will be getting a performance of one of them tonight! The best part about this piano is that it matches our decor (because you know that's the most important part!). I need to give a shout out to my awesome neighbor Jenn for contacting her aunt who was getting rid of it, and her "baby" Steve for driving all the way up to Georgetown and getting it for me. Now I need to find a great piano teacher who will give 3 of my kids lessons...for free :)