Dirty Dishes

The past few months, we have had to put up with a white film on our dishes. Some wiped away with a rag, but most of my dishes are permanently etched with this white chalky, gritty gunk. We thought it was our dishwasher (since we didn't know how old it was and it came with our house), so we got a new dishwasher, which the installation of it is a whole other headache of a story. But with my shiny new dishwasher, things did not improve. So we thought it was the hard water build up in our over-15-year-old water heater, which was giving us little hot water at a time. We wound up going out and getting a new water heater, the cost of which made me cry. Our hot water now lasts longer, costs less and looks great, but our dish washing problem not solved. We were seriously debating on whether or not we should invest in a water softener, when my Dad emailed me this article: http://www.deseretnews.com/mobile/article/700069155/Going-green-leaves-gunk-on-dishes.html Thank you, Dad. I was so relieved that it was not just us and it could be solved with a little detergent change and some vinegar. It does amaze me that the detergent change could cause so much heartache and the expensive solutions we tried, that didn't even work. I am just glad we found out about it before we went out and spent more on the problem. P.S. The story of our new dishwasher. My dad came over to put it in while David was at work. Luckily, James was here to help him, because as it turns out the people who re-did the kitchen counters did not do it right (surprise, surprise, since everything else in the house was done WRONG). They had to unscrew the counter top, cut boards, lift the counter almost an inch and slide the boards under the front and back, then screw the thing back in. Then, they were able to slide in the dishwasher. The old dishwasher was a little smaller and they took the insulation off to get it to fit in, and it was not secured so every time I opened it, it would fall forward. I am loving my new dishwasher that is installed correctly.

Justin's Birthday

Justin turned 9 years old yesterday. We had a Video Game Tournament party with his friends. I bought some Silly String for the kids to use outside. They had a blast, but it didn't last very long and it was a lot more cleaning. Then we came in and opened presents. Justin got a shirt, spiderman for the wii, nerf for the wii, nerf guns, bakugan, a hand-shadow game, and sea monkey kit. The kids decorated their own cupcakes with frosting, sprinkles and candies, and toothpick flags. I also made a cake for the adults. Finally we came to the Video Game Tournament (what they were all waiting for). David watched them, while I cleaned up the kitchen and backyard. Justin said it was an awesome birthday and that is all that matters to us, so we are calling this party a success. When the boys came home from school today, I had a surprise in their playroom. I found some wall decorations at Walmart in the Halloween section. So now their playroom is a mid-evil castle with a knight. Happy Birthday, Justin!!

David Wilcox

David and I were able to get away for the weekend and see a David Wilcox concert. My mom and dad watched the boys. We left on Saturday afternoon and stayed at a hotel, thanks to my brothers' christmas gift last year. He got us a Marriot gift card. We went to the Olive Garden for dinner and then to the concert, where David bought a David Wilcox music book. After the concert, David got to meet David Wilcox and got his autograph in his book. My David had a grin on his face bigger than I have ever seen. That night we slept in a bed without kids jumping in every couple hours, however, neither one of us slept very good away from home. The boys were happy to see us when we got back. Even the dogs were excited. Izzy jumped on and licked me like she thought I had abandoned her and Art sat on my lap the whole way home. It is good to get away every once and a while, but there is no place like home. Scott and Eli have been clinging to me all day, and I am loving it. Even Justin and Adam have been giving me extra hugs.

Baby Milestone

Elijah has always been a tiny guy. He has been in the 0% for his weight since he was 9 months old. At his fifteen month well-child, the doctor put him on Pediasure. Now, after a month and a half, and at 16 months, 2 weeks old, he has finally made it to 20lbs, 0 oz. He is still bounding with energy, climbing everything like a monkey and out running everyone. His new favorite thing to do is climb out the doggy door to the backyard and run off to play with Art and Izzy. I now keep the door closed unless he is asleep, in his highchair, or we are actually playing outside.