Quick MT trip and other misc

Roadtrips are surprisingly painless now that we have the van. Both kids did great on the drive there and home.

Aunt Kayla had her first basketball game on Saturday. It was so fun to watch her play and she really did great! Clearly my athletic skills were donated to the younger siblings. :)

Quinten LOVED playing with Uncle Jared (aka stealing his hat).

Just look at this girl! She's a natural. Love you Kayla!

Ryanna liked the horse from a distance while Quinten wanted to feed the horse his hand.

Grumpy, I mean Grandpa, actually smiled! He calls Quinten Oscar.......I know! But what can you do?!?!

Jared and his girlfriend Ali spent lots of time with us. The kids especially enjoyed their company. Ryanna could be heard quizzing Ali on her colors and then we'd hear "Good job!" Pool is a favorite pasttime when hanging out at Grandpa Don and Grandma Pat's house.

Sunday dinner - how I love thee. Let me count the ways....

So much of my childhood was spent with my grandparents at their home. I was excited to see that Brian took pictures of their home, inside and out.

This picture makes me realize that Quinten is getting to be more of a toddler and less of a little baby. :( Sometimes tough for a Mommy to admit.

The women are usually found in the kitchen having INCREDIBLY important discussions. I won't get into them because they might blow your mind.

We had a little birthday party for Ryanna who will be turning 3 in February. Thanks Mom for the cute cake and Janet and Mal for the perfect presents! Is my help blowing out the candles too obvious??

Like usual Quinten spent some quality time with Mal and took a nap on her. Can't wait for the wedding Mal!!

Birthday girl.

I never expected the weather to be soooo gorgeous and NO snow! So beautiful.

Big Sky country

I can't even tell you how many times I've mowed that lawn and then drank a shasta soda on that step with Grandma Pat. I've been beyond blessed with loving grandparents and a grandmother I can only hope I am like.

Ryanna loves to do anything and everything that Aunt Kayla is doing.

Random pics from last week

Cute picture....hoping for a better playoff performance next season!

"I have a gallbladder and the Doctor isn't going to poke me." -Ryanna

There has been a lot of gallbladder talk around here lately and even Ryanna has joined in on the conversation. I started having gallbladder problems at the end of my pregnancy with Quinten and found out I had gallstones in August. I cut out certain no-nos from my diet and things improved drastically. In October I heard that the birth control I'd been using for 6 years could be a contributer so I traded that in. December, however, proved to be too much for my little bile squirting organ and after several hellish experiences, two ER visits, one idiot specialist, and one excellent surgeon later I am now gallbladderless. The surgery was last Monday and I've felt better every day since. I held off filling my pain med perscription and instead survived with just one day finishing off what the ER had given me. I'm plenty sore but I have to tell you, orthoscopic surgery is AMAZING! Rather than one long incision, the surgeon makes 3 tiny and 1 small incision. They go in there with cameras and stuff(couldn't really tell you exactly) and then pull that sucker out of your bellybutton! I guess our bellybuttons really do serve a purpose....
My angelic mother drove down from Montana and basically did what Mommies do best: took care of us all! If I was smart enough to photo shop a halo over her head I would do it. Thank you so much Mom!! We miss you already.

Quinten was a real trooper through this all considering life turned upside down in a few ways. Perhaps the biggest jump was switching from breastfeeding to bottle in an instant. He did much better with cold turkey than my poor self. Fortunately I was in too much pain in other places to really dwell on it. Also he had several new nighttime caretakers: daddy and grandma. Again it didn't seem to phase him at all. He is perhaps the most easy going baby that ever lived on this earth. :)

Ryanna didn't really miss a beat either. In fact, she thought the whole thing was a great vacation since we stayed at my cousin Scott's home over the weekend until the surgery. Playing with Caden, Ian, Buddy(their dog), and Stephanie was the highlight of her week. It is truly amazing how selfless and giving some people can be. I really can't express how grateful I am for their love and support - just opening up their home like they do. I hope you guys know we appreciate you SO much!

Finally here is a nod to the man BEHIND the camera. That's right Brian! I'm talking about YOU. Well I personally am grateful that noone is or is expected to be perfect in marriage and honey you and I both fit that catagory. But I have no problem saying that my husband is getting better all the time. He has become MORE loving, MORE helpful, MORE superdad, MORE easy-going, MORE empathetic than ever before. That's a lot of MORES, am I right?!?! We celebrated our 6 year anniversary in December too and all I have to say is bring on the next 6!! Can't wait to see what else we'll enjoy and endure together. I just hope it has nothing to do with gallbladders....

The party never stops around here.

See my big cheesy smile??? Well it is celebrating that most of the fun of having a dry socket has passed. Thank you clove oil and ibuprofen.

Little Mister Mischief

Obviously I should clean up as I go while cooking. I took a break to lay Quinten down only to find my little helper sampling the flour. And she loved it....gross.

8 months and ALWAYS on the go...

Grew an inch in the night and the big toe just popped out!

Best Buds

Dad says, "Hey sweet pea." Dilly responds, "Hey sweet dad."

Adventures in potty training: doesn't this pic just say it all?!?!

She insisted she could "DO IT MYSELF!" At least one cheek got covered. hehe.

Both kids LOVE the lights and tree. We strategically placed the tree out of Quinten's reach.

He pushed this chair through the kitchen and under the table.

I've been told that kids will be more willing to try new food if you let them help prepare the meal. Well this certainly proved true. Ryanna would never even touch lettuce before. She shredded it for our tacos and has gobbled it up ever since! Who woulda thought?

An apple day? Not a problem for this silly girl.

Your dad used to be as smart as a monkey, but then time went by and he became as dumb as an Ape...

I think that last time I updated things here on the website I was giving my resignation speech about quitting my football coaching job. I wrote most of that last post with the hopes that I could just focus on my main job and do my radio show in my sleep. When did I sleep back then? I never really noticed until I got sick.

For the past two Octobers, and this last April as well, I have caught a cold. The cold usually starts with the dryness in my throat, a simple cough, runny nose... and before I know it I can't stop hacking and I lose my voice for about 3 weeks. Working in radio doesn't work too well when I don't have a voice.

When I made the decision that this was my last year coaching football in the foreseeable future I was sick of being sick. I was ready to have something consistent in my life. Come to find out, radio was not the answer. In a complete 180 I decided that it was in my best interest to have one employer right now, one set of obligations, and more time with my family. I quit radio Nov. 1st.

With the decision to quit radio I also decided that my future is best served if the extra money I make come from school related activities, i.e. football coaching, and any other sport that will have me.
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I am a firm believer that God has a plan. Also that God is patient enough for you to learn a lesson or two before fulfilling his plan. AND that I tend to take the longest route possible to finding my place in his plan.

When I first moved to Vernal I got up in church and said, to the effect, "Hi, I'm Brian Baldwin, moved here from the Wasatch Front... here to take a full time job in radio while trying to find a job in education... since I just graduated with a teaching certificate..." The very next Sunday I was approached by a man, Joshua Graham, who told me that he had the 'perfect' job for me. He sat me down after Elder's quorum and told me about a job in Special education that he thought I ought to apply for... "Special Ed?" I replied, "I'm a history teacher... Spe... Spe... Special Ed? I feel like I've got it good with my radio full time job and a part time job in the schools looking after the at-risk students (in other words, babysitting)."

Josh ended up being my home teacher, I took over his calling as a member of the Young Men's Presidency and taught his son in Deacon's quorum... so I heard about the job often, still denying myself the opportunity of applying for the job.


Moving to Vernal was one of those things where my family and I were taking a 'leap of faith,' heading to an area where the economy was booming so much that we could hardly afford to live there. Yet, I so badly felt that I needed to come here. I often wonder if my love and desire for radio was the carrot at the end of the stick that God was using to pull me here for something bigger. Radio is now and after thought, working in Special Ed is real... and I love it.

One day, while shutting out the noise of my at-risk students I read an email Joshua sent to the entire school district asking why no one was applying for the job he wanted to leave for a personal business venture. He gave reason after reason why someone should apply. With money low, spending slightly more each month that I was making, I decided to finally apply for the job.

2 years ago this week I started my job as Program Director for the transition program within the Uintah School District. We are called the Can Do Crew and I could not have asked for a better job. Not only am I now in school for a Masters, to become qualified for my position ;), with the school district helping me, but I am a teacher. A teacher of life skills and job skills. I am also like an administrator with more responsibilities and power than I know what to do with. This job supports my family, gives me the perks that I like in a job, and no day is exactly the same.

So what brought me to Vernal? Radio
Would I have come to Vernal to work in education? Probably not
What am I doing now? Working in Education, not in radio.

I saw someone quote the song "some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers..." today... If I were to write a song right now it would read something like this, "Some of God's greatest gifts are when he manipulates a situation, tosses me bait, and is patient enough to keep opportunities open until my stubbornness subsides... la la la deee daaa."
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For those who may not know, I went through a very painful time these last two weeks. On the Friday before Thanksgiving I noticed that my daily afternoon headache was now showing up in the morning. Saturday was worse, Sunday Worser (if thats a word) and on Monday I finally reached my pain threshold. I sought relief, ER and Urgent care were out of the question... no family practice doctor would see a new patient on such short notice... so I went to a chiropractor. With a nap, a Excedrine Migraine dose and an adjustment I felt ok. On Tuesday I was in so much pain, all of a sudden the Urgent care was a good idea. They then sent me to the ER. My Migraine was so mad I was in tears when I pulled up to the ER.


The ER did their usual, racking up the bills... CT scans, Lumbar Punctures... etc. It was decided that I had a Sinus Infection. The Lumbar puncture was to make sure that I didn't have menengitis. I felt ok after all that, went home and wanted to rest.

Wednesday I felt a different headache. Have you ever had a spinal headache? That wiped me out completely and on Thursday, Thanksgiving, I had to go to the ER for a blood patch. I was still sick to my stomach, but the spinal headache seemed to be going away.

Friday, felt okay enough to be out of the house quite a bit with the family. Saturday, the spinal thing was coming back. Sunday, Completely wiped out. Monday of this week, tried to work, threw up after two hours and went home. Tuesday, came home after two hours to take a nap, then made it the rest of the day. Wednesday, Yesterday, finally a good day. Today, better.

I understand that if you have read this far you are actually interested in what I have to say... Thanks.

Between the Spinal Headaches, Sinus Headaches and what I thought were migraines, I thought I was dying. These are two weeks I do not want to repeat.

Today I get to be thankful for my improved health. I didn't have a thanksgiving, except for the hospital meal that the doctor was so good to get for me, and so I am making sure that I use the time when I am feeling good to be thankful.

For the last two weeks I am thankful for a loving, concerned, cooperative wife who didn't criticize me when I needed to just walk away and hide upstairs in our bed in the middle of the day... who made sure that the kids stayed quite because of 'daddy's head,' and who was always encouraging and straight up with me.

My kids gave endless smiles and kisses. Ryanna was so understanding when Daddy couldn't come upstairs for prayer time.

I am thankful for members of a ward, that I haven't felt much a part of, who came to my side whem summoned. The Elder's Quorum pres, one of his counselors came by to give a blessing... but also stayed and showed they were genuine. It helps that he is PA and could listen to all my complaints.

Also in the ward the couple who drove me to the hospital on THANKSGIVING DAY when they were asked to by my wife. They were about to shoot family pictures and dropped everything for the 15 minutes it took to pick me up and drive me a mile to the hospital. They also stayed by when I was on my knees begging the ER secretary to just let me lay down on a bed. They didn't laugh when I laid on the floor right in front of the ER window. They also called to follow up.

I am thankful for my Brother in Law who answer questions about medication and etc. whenever I called him, even if he was at work in his clinic. He called to follow up as well.

I am thankful for the opportunities I have in this town. I HATE that I am 3 hours from anything, but I have found that the less I try to make the drive 'home,' the less I hate it. In this little town I have been able to do more than I ever thought I would do... professionally and personally. I have grown so much and matured... plenty to go there as well.

I am thankful for Joshua being inspired to get me his job. WE ALL MISS YOU.

I am thankful I have a good TEAM to cheer for on Sundays. I'm thankful for Hard Knocks and an 8-3 record and the all so meaningful BENGALS VS CHARGERS game, that will probably determine a first round bye, that I have tickets to Dec. 20th.

I am thankful for a Utah Jazz team that has won their last 3.

I am thankful for my country, my state (UTAH!!), my city, my religion and my family.

Family Pics - Thanks Elisa!!

Family pics with a two-year-old, 7-month-old, and 30-year-old is not easy to accomplish. Thankfully, my friend Elisa was willing to try for us and did a great job. Here are my favorites. I LOVE them!!
By the time we took a few of the kids alone they were over it. Ryanna especially wanted nothing to do with it. :)

Take some of us without kids?!?!? We couldn't stop laughing.

Adorable!!

What a good looking family, if I do say so myself. :)

Where have we been lately?

Playing with friends. Quinten and Kate enjoy giving each other hugs and rubbing heads. Kate's giving him some tips on climbing. :)
PIcking up toys.....if you don't want Quinten to get it, don't leave it on the floor or within his reach.

Walking in high heels. I must admit, Ryanna is better at walking in them. Quinten wanted a turn but we've prevented that adventure so far.

Busting a move in heels!

Tearing the house apart. Quinten is into EVERYTHING and Ryanna loves to supervise. She's almost always a helpful and kind big sister......almost always.

Working it!

Playing peek-a-boo!

I swear I'm not obsessed with Halloween. It just provides so many photo opportunities!

Halloween Eve: Carving this pumpkin took about 10 minutes but provided an evening full of fun. Two of the teeth broke off during the carving but I think it just adds to his personality.

SPPPPOOOOOOOOOOOKKKKKYYYYY

Halloween day was gorgeous outside! I had been worried about the kids freezing but it was actually nice enough we played outside which we haven't done lately. Quinten is a professional leaf examiner. He didn't put anything in his mouth! I have him trained well. haha.

So we went to the trunk or treat at the church which had some ups and downs. Ryanna was excited but a bit overwhelmed by all the people in costumes. Then the Viking family said hello and she had a melt down. I told her she could either be happy or we would go to the car. She said through sobs "I want to be happy!" She eventually calmed down and enjoyed getting candy. Then we went to the Rec Center where they have a community party every year. We had stopped to see Mary before so were late for the candy. I wanted a pic of the kids but Quinten, frustrated with his costume because his legs were crammed without their own individual legs in the suit, kept arching his back and throwing both he and Ryanna on the grass.

This looks like an older sibling abusing the poor baby but actually Quinten was solely responsible.

A good one: pumpkin and penguin