Mommy Gossip

Sometime in the summer of 2007, Connor determined he was no longer a boy. Green power flowed through his veins--or shell, or whatever turtles have--and he was transformed into a Ninja Turtle. Not only that, but his entire family--dog included--are now all powerful and committed in the fight against Shredder.

Troy is worried that Leo--our son formerly known as Connor--has taken his new identity one step too far. One day when I was putting on makeup, Leo asked me if he could put some on too. I told him boys don't normally wear makeup to which he replied: "Well, you are Donny (Donatello the Ninja Turtle) and you are a boy and you wear makeup, so why can't I?" How do you refuse that? But now, he has taken it to a new extreme. When we ask him to put on his pajamas and get ready for bed, his immediate reply is: "Ninja Turtles don't wear pajamas." Apparently, they don't have hair that needs cutting or rooms that need cleaning or a lot of other things that normal boys wouldn't really find fun.

Chase--who now goes by Raph (Raphael)--corrects us when we slip up and call Leo Connor. And, now that we have moved to Provo, people look at me weird if I say anything about Connor. I actually had a neighbor who replied by asking, "Do you mean Leo?" I cracked up:).

Soooo... if you have any adversary in your life, please feel free to come to the source that will be your true protection--the Provo Ninja Turtles, formerly known as the Pattee Family!

We moved to Provo over the holidays. All I can say is "big closet!". The house is amazing--with a cupboard for everything and a partially finished basement that is perfect for the kids. Other than feeling like I need to use a microphone to be heard between rooms (and that is saying a lot, considering how loud I can talk), we are thrilled to have more than doubled the size of our living quarters. Now, if we could get someone to invest a few quarters in our Draper house, that would really accomplish the purpose here!

As far as what is new... Well, friends! We live in a terrific area and have already met lots of nice people. Another new thing is driving Chase to school everyday sans the carpool! Not necessarily my definition of convenient, but I can't complain. Afterall, we have a huge closet :)! Did I say HUGE??? I never thought I cared. I thought the jetted tub would win my vote, but closet it is!

Other new things... Chase's 7th birthday. We put a party together for him at the last minute, invited 5 boys from the neighborhood, and Troy took on the assignment of being in charge of the festitivites. Imagine this... 9 air blowers--you know, the kind to dry out floods! All 9 air blowers--with streamers attached no less--were strategically stacked and placed at one end of the downstairs family room. Not far away were tons of balloons. Next, a line of 6/7-year olds waiting for the big event. And behind them, random things to try and detain the balloons should the kids fail in their pursuit to catch them amid the anything but gentle breeze. Troy coined it, "The Wall of Wind." The kids were dying in anticipation. Then, he turned them on. Hair and clothes flew back, plastering to heads and bodies. Balloons let loose. Boys ran frantic, trying in earnest to catch them. Boys cried--did I mention they were 6/7-year olds?--at their inability to defy the forces of nature. They wiped away the tears and tried again. We are still wondering what the answer was to the surely asked question: "What did you do at the birthday party, Johnny?"

The past year has been very eventful with a major move, changes in employment, lost body parts, good health and not-so-good health. Here are the highlights:

1. February 2008--We rented out our Draper house. Hallelujah! Troy road tripped it all the way to Kansas to sell all of his flood and water damage restoration equipment, marking an end to that part of his life and business.
2. January 2008--Connor started a new pre-school in Orem, learned all about "cavity monsters," and started brushing his teeth in earnest. Chase celebrated his 7th birthday by partying in Provo with all his new friends here. Troy officially started his job search.
3. December 2007--We moved from Draper to Provo, Utah and assumed the title of "House Sitters." We decided to sell the business. Troy's parents left on an LDS mission to the Ukraine.
4. November 2007--Chase lost his first tooth!
5. October 2007--Jyl enjoyed her friend's wedding in NYC and unseasonably warm 70-degree weather. She also loved seeing the play "Wicked."
6. September 2007--We enjoyed good health, good weather, and great friends!
7. August 2007--Chase started 1st grade and Connor started pre-school.
8. July 2007--Around this time, Connor officially gave up the name "Connor" for "Leo." He now has amazing turtle power. Go ninjas! Jyl's term as PTO president and board member ended.
9. June 2007--Jyl left FranklinCovey after 9 years to be a full-time MOM just in time for summer vacation! At the same time, she helped put on Channing Hall's second annual carnival. Connor turned 4 and had lots of slip sliding fun on our backyard hills at his, what?, third-annual Thomas birthday party.
10. May 2007--Jyl announced her resignation from FranklinCovey and gave a month's notice. It was one of the best decisions she has ever made!
11. April 2007--Jyl was miserable at work.
12. March 2007--Jyl went back to work after 3 months of short-term disability.
13. February 2007--Jyl wrote 100 pages in her journal while recovering from surgery.
14. January 2007--Jyl spent a week in the hospital, causing her to lose one of her fallopion tubes and lots of blood in an emergency surgery. Cause: tubal pregnancy. She was laid up in bed for many weeks, ate lots of great food, and the whole family was the recipient of amazing service from the neighborhood and school communities. After a month of failed attempts to resolve the problem through medication, Jyl was glad to finally be on the road to recovery--even if it meant 24 staples and horrible tape that they should never be allowed to put on anyone!