A Modge Podge of Happenings

Ok- first an update on the invalids. I am finally healed- yeah! All the aches from the fall are gone. Jodi is getting better too. Her pediatrician is sending her to a specialist to figure out why Jodi is always sick. When she gets sick it lasts forever and gets so severe. We are going to an allergist/asthma/antibody specialist. I hope they can find the answers we need.

Here are some funny updates with the other kids. I will start with Noah. These happenings with him are so fitting because of Valentine's Day. Noah is 100% a ladies man. ALL the girls in his class think the world of him. A few weeks ago Noah started talking a lot about Gabby- a girl in his Primary and Kindergarten class. I found a paper they were writing on in school. It was signed "Gabby Frier" and had "I luv yu" on it. I about died. I told Gabby's mom about it. Noah went to her house afterschool and had so much fun. Gabby's mom asked Gabby if Noah was her boyfriend. Gabby said "Mom I'm not allowed to have a boyfriend, but I just LOVE Noah. He is so sweet and nice and I just love him so much!" Then, Kylie's mom stopped me after choir one day and had some stories to tell me too. Kylie and Noah are in the same Kindergarten class, but different Primary classes. Kylie told her mom that Noah was the nicest and smartest boy in school. "I just love Noah" again! They had a Valentine's Party at school. Kylie asked Noah to dance. Kylie's mom asked her how they danced and she said, "I put my hand on Noah's shoulder and he put his hand on my waist and we danced and it was just like Cinderella!" I can not believe what a lover-boy he is! It is so sweet! Ah, love is in the air!

Daniel was trying hard to get out of nap time, but after 2 weeks of him falling asleep at dinner, crying at the drop of a hat, and exaggerated acts of meaness, I reinstated naps. This time he gets money for every time he sleeps. He is saving up money for a souvenir for our trip to San Diego. We have a much happier home now. I will go broke if I have to in order to keep the peace and my sanity! Daniel is loving preschool and is now able to sit on the big carpet with the class for some of the time- although he really likes to just sit on his very own carpet. We also bought him a set of Tinker toys thinking it would help him with not being so bored. He really likes them and every day he is growing up and maturing a little bit more.

I had an eventful Sunday- one of the craziest. I had early morning choir practice at 7:30, church from 8-11, choir again at 11:30, drove to Phoenix at 12 for a flute choir practice and performance, got back to Mesa at 5, and had a Relief Society (Women's) fireside from 7-9, then got home just in time to catch the new Masterpiece Theatre adaptation of "Oliver Twist." It was such a long day, but Dustin was so awesome. He took care of the kids all day so I could perform with the flute choir and go to the fireside. I had a blast. I loved playing my flute with all the other professional flutists. It was fun making music for the old folks at the retirement place where we performed. The fireside was also good and just nice to be away and filling up my spiritual reserves.

We are celebrating Noah's birthday today and so will have many more stories to tell soon!

"OK, Life- Bring It On"

Ok, just when I thought things were going smooth for the Frier family, "Life" decided I needed even more on my plate. I slipped and fell in the shower 2 weeks ago from a dizzy spell. I sliced the bottom of my toe on the drain- even bent the drain and had to get stitches! I landed hard on my elbow and ribs. I was "SuperMom" and managed to get the kids dressed, lunches made, phone calls made- all while in intense pain and bledding before going to the hospital. Nothing was broken- although I bruised my ribs pretty good. Just breathing hurt and driving was an absolute killer. But, with the help of some amazing visiting teachers and friends,and a wonderful husband, I was on the mend.

Then, only 4 days later from that trip to the hospital, I found myself there again with Jodi. She went into surgery last Wednesday to get more tubes for her ears and to have her adnoids shrunk. She seemed ok that day, but the next she got feverish and was throwing up all night. I thought it was from the surgery. When she didn't get better on Friday we called the Ear, Nose, and Throat office that did her surgery. They didn't seem too concerned. When Jodi didn't get better over the weekend I knew she was really sick. She was burning up with a fever Sunday night again. I just prayed and prayed that she would be ok. As I was fervently praying and stroking Jodi's hair I noticed it was getting damp. Her fever was breaking- finally after 4 days. I took her to the doctor yesterday and my little girl has pneumonia. She has a horrible time sleeping. We are all running on empty here, but amazingly we keep going. I know we are being blessed and prayers are being answered. It is amazing to feel those little miracles.

So we plug along day by day and know that there isn't anything "Life" can dish out that we can't get through with a lot of prayer and faith.

Laughs With Noah

Ok- this was too funny! We were at the dinner table last night and I asked Noah how things at school were going. He first told me he had so much fun at P.E. that day playing tetherball and field hockey. Then out of the blue he said:

"I like school. I get hot. I get tired, and I go to the bathroom a lot."


I totally lost it! I could not stop laughing. He cracks me up with some of the stuff he says. I wish I could just have the recorder on all day so I could capture the hilarious things that come out of his mouth!

Noah's 1st School Project

Noah made his first school project this week. The Kindergarten classes are celebrating the 100th day of school. They had to learn how to count to 100- Noah got a stuffed dog he named Rufus for counting to 100- given to him by his teacher. Their projects had to include 100 pieces. Noah really likes the Eifel Tower, but it was too difficult to make so we went to the next best thing- and Egyptian pyramid. He had fun painting the box, and gluing the sugar cubes and making the pipe cleaner camels and palm trees. All the objects add up to 100 pieces used. Noah is very proud of his creation.

Time Flies- and some ramblings

I can't believe how fast time is flying by right now. Noah started back at school last week. My name can now be added to the "Worst Mom Award." Noah gets out of school early on Wednesdays. I completely forgot him. He was waiting in the office for over 30 minutes wondering where I was. He said he was scared, but he put on a brave face for me.
Daniel started back at preschool today. I was looking forward to this day for a week. I am glad to have some peace in the home for a few hours a week. I love him to death, but boy is he a hard kid to raise. Heavenly Father sure knew my limits with him! I am very excited for Daniel, though. After years of trying to get him interested in a bike Daniel is now riding one with training wheels!! We are so excited! Dustin gets to take the toddler seat off his bike and will no longer have feet and knees kicking him with every pedal.




Noah went to the dentist for the very first time and was so brave. Daniel had an appointment but we couldn't even get him near the chair! Noah inherrited his mom's and dad's crammed teeth. They told us to start saving now for braces in the future. Great, there goes my piano fund!
Dustin starts back up with his crazy semester next week. I know that this semester will fly like the others have. Time already seems to. It seems like January is all but over with all the craziness already starting. It barely started and I already had it fairly full of appointments, outings, and what not.
I have stayed up late and almost through the night reading some great Vampire books that seem to be very popular at the moment. I am done with that series and on to more books. I am also SUPER excited that Masterpiece Theatre started again. They are focusing on Charles Dickens this year and I am going to read Little Dorrit before the miniseries begins. Books, movies, and music!! Life is good.

Newsletter 2008

My apologies to the lateness of the latest news from the Frier clan. Let’s just say life is moving at neck breaking speed!
Jodi is now 2 ½. Her little, I mean BIG, personality is completely taking off. We call her many loving names. 1) The Little Monkey: If she can swing, climb, or jump from it Jodi finds a way. Her latest feat is climbing the back of the bunk bed- no ladder of course. 2) The Little Singer: Jodi finds anything to make a stage from. She leads the choir or music in church. She has to sing whenever I am playing the piano. Dancing is a bonus! 3) The Little Parrot: I am so glad that no one else is in my van to hear my road rage vocabulary repeated by the innocent 2 year old in the back seat!
Daniel is now 4 an a very typical 4 year old boy. He refuses to eat dinner, but throw a cookie in front of him and he is suddenly fully capable of eating! Daniel loves to torment his siblings- just today he said, “It’s fun being mean!” Daniel started preschool this year for speech development. He is loving it! He is so proud of the projects he brings home. Daniel’s other love in life are Transformers. Daniel’s hugs are amazing. He can be quite the teddy bear when he wants to be!
Noah is almost 6 (come Feb.). Noah entered full day Kindergarten this year. It was a rocky start, but now his teacher thinks the world of Noah. Noah is too smart for his own good. He is like a sponge- he doesn’t forget a thing he has been taught. Reading, P.E., and the playground seem to be his favorite things in school. Outside of school, Noah is totally into all the boy stuff- Army guys, Star Wars, animals… He is also my little helper and truly the peacemaker of our home.
Dustin has now been working at Scottsdale Healthcare Hospital for 3 years. He has now also completed 2 out of 4 semesters in the Scottsdale Community College Nursing program. Half way through- Hooray!!! Dustin keep s busy with work, school, wrestling with the kids, and helping me whenever he can. He is an amazing Dad and Husband (of 11 years now!)
I am plugging along. I have some good days among all the bad. I would never be able to get through them without Jodi’s independence, Daniel’s smiles and hugs, Noah’s loving need to help me, and Dustin sacrificing study time to cook or do the laundry. I love our family! I am still the children’s chorister for our church and love teaching the children music. I have so much fun and love seeing their faces as they sing. I also joined a flute society and flute choir. It’s fun to get together with other musicians! I am also now a “Twilight” fan (shh, don’t tell anyone!) Books and music- I love it!
We hope this finds you happy and merry during the holidays! Be sure to check out our blog at http://frierfamily.blogspot.com/

Love, The Frier Family

Back to Blogging

Wow, I can't believe I have neglected the Frier Fan Club for so long! My apologies to those that have checked in to see some interesting story from the Friers and have been disappointed in the results. However, I am back and with some wonderful stories and pics to share- even if they are only interesting and wonderful to me!!

I finally got Jodi to the portrait studio to get her pictures done. The last protraits we did of her was when she was 6 weeks old, so these are way over due. She was SO good with the photographer. She did every pose they asked and was happy through out and the pics were abundant. It was super hard trying to decide which ones to go with. So here they are:




















As you can tell we are mighty proud of our little girl. She is so sweet and adorable. I could just squeeze her all day- if only she would let me!!

The boys are doing well. Noah has quite the big boy attitude and truly thinks he is "all that" and then some. I hate being the one who has to put him in his place, but it must be done!!! He doesn't think it is so fair that Daniel and Jodi have all day to play and he only has a couple hours a day to play. Homework day is not fun at all. He is a super reader and getting better every day. He devours the books and loves to read. We read the 1st "Harry Potter" book together. he would sit and color pictures about what I read. He is begging me to read him more books. It was an excuse for him to stay up later than Daniel and he got some much needed Mommy time.

Daniel is doing really well in Preschool. He loves his teacher and is learning so much. His speech is slowly getting better too. He is also slowly learning how to play with Jodi. In fact, Jodi is learning to accept Daniel as a friend as well. We went out last night and ordered 2 shakes to split between the kids. Jodi pretty much had one to herself. At the end of dinner Daniel asked Jodi if he could have some of her shake and she gladly and WILLINGLY shared it with Daniel. Then Noah asked for some and Jodi flatly refused!!! So, Daniel and Jodi are FINALLY becoming buddies. We still have our daily fights with Daniel, but he is slowly getting easier to manage. Yes. He still makes me laugh so hard when I get the maddest at him. It's a good thing- I 'll leave it at that. So here are some more pics of the kids!