Lessons in gratitude

So vernal finally got some snow over the weekend. I was personally disappointed because of my strong dislike of the stuff. There are certain things I like to do in snow, like sledding and building snow men, but for the most part I hate snow. If I could borrow a line from dads wedding toast. Snow is like an annoying friend. You know that friend that is fun to do one or two things with, but is usually just annoying so you don't want them hanging around. After you do that one thing their fun for they won't leave you alone, and keep bugging you. That's how snow is to me. Fun for a couple of things, but annoying most of the time. So when it snowed the other day I was being awful grumpy about it. That is until I opened the door and Brooklyn went running outside in her diaper and bare feet. She was so excited. She was grabbing snow by the handful and shouting and laughing. "Look at the snow man", she said, with her mouth full. She calls all snow snow man whether it has been formed into human replication or not. "Look at the snow man". She was so excited that I decided that if this stuff could make my children that happy, then maybe I should be more grateful for it. So thanks for the snow man.
P.S. Happy birthdays to Sheila and Nora. Love you guys

Morton Family Over-Unders 2012

Hey Gang, I too would like to add my praises and exclamations of delight regarding our Christmas/New Years Morton Family gathering. It was awesome. In fact leaving was indeed sorrowful; especially since real life is often miserable. Actually my life is rad, but I do love our family get togethers. There are two things that I look forward to all year. One is opening day open house in which the brothers get together and watch baseball all day, and discuss baseball all day, and make baseball predictions, and eat hot dogs. It is a fantastic day, and I truly do love it. The second is our Morton family christmas. I love that weekend more then monkeys love bananas and poo flinging. For those of you that are more recent additions to the family, such as Charlie or Colin, you may have found me to be somewhat synical or rude at times. I apologize, but I sometimes like to stir the pot. I may over do it sometimes, but it is really just for kicks and giggles to see others get riled up. So, sorry. As I mentioned before the brothers and I make baseball predictions at the beginning of every season. Some of these are called over-unders, for instance Last year Dierrick Jeter batted .276, will he hit over or under .280 this season? That's just an example, those stats may not be correct. We also answer other questions, so I would like to do some Morton Family Predictions for the year 2012, and maybe we can go over them next Christmas.
1. Last year there were two weddings in the Family, will there be over or under 1/2 this year?
2. Counting the upcoming 2 babies that are on the way will there be over or under 2.5 babies?
3. Who will be the next couple to announce that they are having a baby?
4. What will be the total weight of all babies born in 2012?
5. Will Johnita make it into graduate school?
6. With two upcoming baptisms (Macy, and Ashlyn) will there be over or under 2.5 dunking attempts due to incomplete emersions?
7. How many emergency room/urgent care visits will there be this year?
8. How many new jobs or promotions will there be in 2012?
9. Last year we raised $5,500 for relay for life will we be over or under $5,500.50?
10. Will 2012 see the end of the world? If yes How? Creativity gets extra points even if the world does not end.
Hope you guys have fun with this, please post your answers, and other questions if you have any. I love you all, and hope 2012 is as awesome as you all deserve. Thanks

Back in Texas with a bad back

Hey everybody I made it back to Texas fine. I had a really great time with you all over Christmas. I love sledding and playing games. I am getting ready to take another test tomorrow, but this should be the easiest one yet. That means it will probably be my lowest score. To make things even harder I was playing basketball on my first day back and out went my back. I can hardly move now, but no matter I will keep going. Well I love you all and I will talk to you all soon. The baby's almost here and I can't wait to call you all when he get here.

Sean

The end of a great trip

We are still in DJ for tonight (Tuesday) but will be heading to Grandpa Powell's birthday party tomorrow and then on to Provo for the night. We fly out Thursday.
We both had a great time seeing everyone. I really enjoyed playing with the kids but am glad you get to take them home with you. The baby shower stuff was great. I checked it all out yesterday. Thanks for everything. I am sure Mia Rose (Lincoln Matthew) will enjoy all of it.
Keep in touch through this blog or emails or phones. I have a list of all up to date contact info if anyone needs it. Whether you were born into the Morton family or married into it, I appreciate what you bring to the family. My only regret in joining the family is that I never met your Mom. I have been looking at a lot of the photos throughout the house and listening to Sheila tell stories about her. She and your Dad made this family what it is. You have a great family and should really be proud of each other.
I will see you this summer, unless you come to visit TN first.

Ultrasound Dec 19

18 weeks. The baby is doing fine. Everything was within the normal range. We did NOT find out the gender of the baby. His or her little legs were together the whole time. The Tech said there was a suspicious spot that might be a boy but would not commit. I think she was just talking because Sheila was so "crazy" to know the sex. We will go back in 3 weeks for another Dr. appt. but will not have another ultrasound for at least a couple more weeks after that. Looks like late January before we find out for sure. Sheila's blood pressure was a little high so we are going to cut back on her salt addiction. You guys have to help over Christmas. See you in about 10 days.

Jessie Update

Hey Y'all. Jessie is doing better. They said they wanted her on the antibiotic for ten days. Well ten days was yesterday. Now they are saying that hopefully on Christmas Eve she can get off the antibiotic and get her pic-line removed. Last week the infection had clearly gone down, but seemed to settle in two seperate areas. They were both absessed, so the doctor had to cut her leg to release the infection. He said these were the deepest absesses he had ever seen. Once he cut her leg open the thing erupted. It was like St. Helens exploding again. People in Southern Washington started to migrate North. It was also very disgusting. It looked like Tomato Soup with lots of Cheese, and I bet you could have filled a Family size can with all the infection that came out. After they did that for a while they filled in the holes in her leg with packing strip. They used a foot of packing strip for each hole. She has had to go back and get the packing strip replaced every day since (it has been about five days now), and finally today they said it is not leaking as much, and she may only have to do this for a couple more days. The process of packing the wound is a very painful process, and the only more painful part is when the numb up her leg to pack it. So Jessie has done it with and without the numbing, but she couldn't tell you which is worse. I think the numbing hurts more at the time, but without it it seems to hurt longer, but what do I know. Anyway She is getting better, and hopefully by Christmas she will be a free woman or at least free of an IV line constantly cramping her style. Thank you all for your prayers and concern.