The Ewell Family Movie

For our Roylance family reunion in Utah each family was able to enter a movie into a little competition - with Oscar awards and all. Here is the movie we made.
(I hope it works)

Sorry, tried several ways, but you'll have to copy and paste this address to your browser to watch if it doesn't show up here for you - or if some of the screen is cut off. I promise, it's worth it!

http://youtu.be/sQbJPNVf4nA

My Childhood Bedroom

In all my cleaning and organizing getting ready for our move I came across a file of papers that I'd saved. They are writing assignments from high school and college. It was kind of fun reading through them, and I thought it would be fun to add it to my blog. Remember I wrote it in high school, so ignore any errors.



Of all my bedrooms, my favorite was my childhood bedroom. Located in the back corner of the top floor, this was where I let my imagination run wild. My earliest memory of this room was waking up to the sound of mom taking down my crib.
“Mom, what are you doing?” I inquired.
“Well, you haven’t slept in the crib for a while now and you’re getting too old for it anyway,” she answered.
“OK.” I said as I returned to my peaceful slumber with my older sister, Rebecca. Then I started to ponder what my mom had said, “Wow, I was getting old. I could start hanging out with Rebecca now.” I marveled.
This was the beginning of our adventures as roommates in our room that could become anything. One of our favorite things to do was rearrange our furniture. We would plan out where to put the bed, the big dresser and the vanity set -- if a tape measure was needed, but there wasn’t one around, we would simply use our feet to measure. The neatest design we ever had was called the cloud room. We simply put our bed directly under the window (the large wood headboard would cover the window a little big, but that was alright because we would be rearranging again in another two weeks.) We put the dresser and vanity set as far into the corners as possible so they were out of the way. Then we found two sticks and taped them to the bottom of the bed so they raised about 31/2 feet above the mattress. Next we draped the white sheer window curtains over the bed to hook onto the sticks. It was our own little canopy. We even went so far as to cut clouds out of construction paper to pin onto our curtains. Two weeks later the bedroom was transformed into the “dressing room design.“ The dresser and vanity set were strategically placed so that we could walk behind them into the corner and have a secret “dressing room” in the corner.
Rebecca and I would stare for hours at the little girls on the delicate wallpaper deciding who was who. We would try and pick people that we knew to be the other little girls. We’d tell stories about where the little girls were going, and what they were like.
The most exciting part of the day was nighttime because that was when our imaginations took over. We would start at the circus. The headboard of the bed was our tightrope hanging 30 feet above the ground. If a daring trick got to be too hard, we would fall onto our bed which played the part of the net. Of course before starting each feat we would rehearse the “Don’t try this at home!” speech, and giggle at the irony. We were so good. We knew we would be in the circus when we grew up.
After mom’s warning from the next room we hushed ourselves and got ready to get in bed. Now, getting in bed was a bigger process than one would think. We would walk throughout the small room three or four times and look for any murderers, then I would throw open the closet door as Rebecca screamed to scare the murderer. When the sight was clear we would move onto the bed. Standing at least three feet away from the bed we jumped onto our safe bed. Next, I, on my side and Rebecca, on hers, on the count of three we quickly peered under the bed to catch any murderers there.
Then the second warning would ring out from mom’s room. Looking at each other and trying to restrain our laughter we proceeded to get into bed. Fighting for our own share of the covers, Rebecca would yell, “SHARK!!” Suddenly we were on our lifeboat in the middle of the ocean. The rules of the game implied that any part of your body not covered by blankets would be eaten by the shark.
It was now time for Mom’s entrance with the third warning. At the squeak of her bedroom door, we hurried under our sterile while covers, raised our arms and made them as straight as possible, then on the count of three our arms slapped down onto the covers, tight against our sides. The light from the hallway peered in and mom entered to see us in our nice and tidy hospital beds. Mom was a friend that had come to see her dying friend.
“Hello, thank you for coming to see us.” Rebecca would utter in her weakest voice possible, accompanied by the slight elevation of her weak, sickly arm.
“Why are you still awake?” She would question.
And in the most innocent expression I could muster I’d answer, “We want you to sing to us.”
Mom would give a sweet, knowing smile, then start to sing our favorite lullaby, “I Love You, Truly.”
“Thanks, I love you mom. Good night,” we responded almost ready to fall into a peaceful slumber.
After mom left the room we’d talk about our friends, family, worries, and happiest memories. Then Rebecca would fall asleep while making up stories about the shadows on the wall.
“Shark!” I yelled not wanting the fun to stop, but Rebecca’s body lay there motionless. I’d always figured that the shark was created out of our own imagination and wasn’t real, but I didn’t know for sure because I’d never been out of the covers to see. I rapidly threw the covers over Rebecca’s body and then scrambled under the covers for my own safety. I stayed under there for a good few minutes because I had to make sure that the shark was gone before I could take off the covers. I chuckled to myself grateful that no one else had seen. Then I returned to thinking about the shadows on the wall.
Each night in this room brought on a new adventure. Even now, when I enter my childhood room I see the white fluffy could curtain, the high tightrope backboard, and the girls on the wall. I am taken back to the wonderful, carefree memories of childhood.

Heading to 1st Grade!!

Hayden receiving his award and with his whole class.

How did my little boy already graduate from Kindergarten?? He's heading to 1st grade in the fall. There were a lot of fun activities leading up to the end of the school year. They had field day, a walk a thon, his kindergarten program and the awards ceremony. I am so proud of him. He earned the academic award again this quarter. He learned so much throughout the year and made some great friends. I am so proud of him and his achievements this year.

Rebecca's 1st year of Preschool Graduation!

This is Rebecca and her teacher Mrs. Heather. I wasn't quite sure whether or not to put Rebecca in preschool this year, but when I heard about this preschool I figured you can't go wrong for the price. SO inexpensive. But better than that, the quality was superb for the price. Rebecca loved preschool. She learned so much. She can write all the letters of the alphabet and even write her name without any help. She loves learning. It was very good for her socially too. Even if she was probably pretty loud at times, she learned a lot about taking turns and raising your hand, etc. It was a very rewarding year.
She was so excited for her graduation. She was up and dressed in her most beautiful dress that she could find, even before I had showered. We love this little girl, that is growing up way too fast!





Here are a couple videos of Rebecca. One at her graduation, and the other is her singing her favorite lullaby. She loves to sing. HOPEFULLY they download alright. If not I'll have to come back and add a link for you to click on.

My First Bra

Intriguing title huh!? I know I am SO behind in getting blog posts up, but I promise I'll get caught up. But in all our cleaning and organizing getting ready for the move I found a bunch of my papers I'd written through high school and college. What can I say, I'm a saver. I laughed when I read this story I'd written about my most embarrassing moment so I wanted to share. I have another story I'll add after I get caught up on my regular life posts too. So, enjoy. Remember I was in high school when I wrote it, so ignore any big mistakes.



Being the youngest of six girls I’ve always looked up to my older sisters. I couldn’t wait to be smart, beautiful, and mature just like them. Naturally when Mary started joking with me about my need for a bra I was ecstatic. Of course I didn’t really need a bra, but it was a sign that I was growing up.
I was only 11 years old and it was one of the biggest Saturdays of the year. We were at the dress rehearsal for the annual dance recital. It had been a long a grueling rehearsal. There was a huge sigh of relief when we finally reached the finale. I was standing in front of my oldest sister, Mary, thinking through the steps of my debut solo from one of our dances when she leaned forward and said the words I’d been waiting to hear for months. “Wow, Sarah, looks like you need to start wearing a bra.” she said teasingly, referring to my barely bigger than mosquito bites, development.
“Really? I do?” I whispered, trying to contain my excitement.
“Yeah, tell mom when you get home,” she patronized.
I couldn’t wait to get home and share the wonderful news with mom. My mind started racing to all the things that I would soon be doing because I was getting so old. I was going to start wearing make up soon, wearing nylons of my own for real - not just dressing up with my older sisters nylons with runs in them. I could probably even get my ears pierced in no time. Then came the biggest thought… I would soon be dating!
I excitedly threw open the door after rehearsal and ran straight up to mom’s room to tell her of the great news.
“Mom, guess what?! Mary says I need a bra!” I shouted with joy. “Can we go? Can we go now?” I went on, giving her no chance to answer.
“Oh, she did? Are you sure?” she questioned.
“Yes, yes!” I assured her.
“Wow, my little girl is growing up so fast,” she marveled. “I guess I have a little bit of time to go shopping, and we’d better get it before you’re in your leotard tonight for the recital.”
“Yea!” I yelled running straight for the car.
We entered the underwear section of JC Penny and I felt like such a woman, going through the rite of passage, looking for the perfect bra. After about a half hour of looking and trying on, I was starting to think that this wasn’t such a fun idea. I was about ready to give in and tell mom that I didn’t really need a bra when I saw it! The bra I’d been searching for. It was shiny, white satin, with a little pink flower between the tiny “ALMOST AA” size cups. I went into the dressing room and put it on. I could barely fill the cups; but that didn’t matter, I’d fooled mom. It was the best training bra I had ever seen. After buying this adult brassier we went home so I could show off my sign of womanhood. We returned with just enough time to get to the dance recital.
I guess the dance recital was going just as planned. I wouldn’t really know because I was only concerned with my new bra. I went through the second nature steps and every now and then I’d sneak a peak at my sexy white bra. I found that when I looked straight down I could barely see the white satin under my red leotard. After one of my lingering peaks I looked up to the faces of all the dancers in my group, and realized that I’d just missed my cue for my solo. Great! The time I had the chance to shine in the spotlight, I was standing in position with my head buried into my chest admiring my bra. I tried to cover it the best I could, but I don’t think I succeeded. My face went bright red until I had to chuckle to myself for my stupidity. My only hope was that my embarrassing moment looked like a planned part of the routine.
As I sat in church the next day contemplating this embarrassing moment, my mother’s words kept repeating in my mind, “My little girl is growing up so fast.” I analyzed the meaning of this and worried. “Oh no, does this mean that she doesn’t want me to grow up?” I questioned myself. “She probably thinks that she’s getting old, because I am. Oh no!” I worried. I decided that the only thing to do would be for me to stop wearing my beautiful, brand new bra with the darling pink flower, that I’d longed for, so that I could stop time. I’d gone one whole week without my bra when I confessed to mom that I hadn’t worn my bra for a week and she didn’t need to worry about me growing up too fast. When she heard this brave declaration she laughed and calmed my fears about growing up, and her aging. After hearing this happy news I ran right to my room to put on my wonderful, feminine brassier!

Place yur bets...

Living in Las Vegas I figured I'd give you the opportunity to place your bets on when I'm going to officially lose it.
3 weeks from yesterday is when we load the van, and even though I've had some pretty good cry fests since November, I don't think it's actually hit me yet that we're really leaving Las Vegas. Today during church I started realizing that we only have 3 more Sundays after today in our ward. I got chocked up and couldn't keep singing the hymn till I pushed the thought back in my brain telling myself not to think about it, because I didn't want to break down right there in church. This happens a lot. I start getting emotional and if I'm alone I'll have a little cry, but then I get busy dealing with another aspect of the move and I don't have time to cry.
I am so excited to move, and for this new adventure to start, so I spend time thinking about that rather than how much I'm going to miss everyone, and just life here. Probably because it's not so fun to think about the heart ache that I'll experience.
So... here is the big question... When will I have my emotional bawl fest that will leave my face all red and splotchy with an uncontrollable snotty, runny nose?

Will it be....

* On the last day of my kids' swim lessons (believe me, it will probably be emotional for me)

* At the going away party? (By the way, if you haven't heard and want to come, going away party next Sat. at 2:30 at Winchester park. Bring ice cream, or an ice cream topping to share)

* 4th of July?

* 1st Sunday in July (Fast Sunday)?

* Every Sunday leading up to our move?

* Some random night after everyone is asleep?

* Packing up the house? (which we've already been doing?)

* Loading the truck?

* Looking at our empty house? The one that we walked through every step of the way as it was being built, imagining our life here with our little baby (Hayden) that we were pregnant with at the time? (Geez, the tears are starting to come already)

* Leaving a forwarding address at the post office?

* Our last Sunday in our ward that we have absolutely LOVED!!!?

* Dinner with Jerry's family? Maybe even delicious burritos?? (Hint hint Carol:))

* Our last night as a family here in Las Vegas?

* Saying good bye to amazing friends that have meant the world to me and our family? Friends that became my family/sisters when I moved down to Vegas all alone without knowing a single soul? Other friends that are amazing people that I look up to, and aspire to be like them. Friends that I feel I've known my entire life, and plan to stay friends with forever, even though distance will separate us. Friends that I need to talk or text daily to vent, laugh, check in with, or share a moment with. Amazing! Wonderful! Selfless! and Thoughtful! I have been very blessed!!! (Ok, now the tears really are flowing, I gotta stop)

* Driving by the 3 schools that I taught at?

* Going to Target on Nellis? (yes, it just might happen)

* Saying good bye to my children's friends and cousins? Watching them say good bye? (That is going to be a DOOZY!)

* My last Dr. appointment with Dr. Paul? (Yes, I'm a sentimental sap - but he's delivered all 3 of my children, and he won't deliver this one. Kinda weird)

* Seeing Jerry drive away in the truck on his way to Indiana?

* Driving up to Utah with the kids? (I can almost guarantee tears then)

* Random moments during my stay in Utah when I'll look at a family member, or at my kids playing with cousins and the tears will come?

* Picking up Jerry at the airport as he flies back to Utah for the family reunion?

* The last day of my family reunion?

*Saying good bye to my family?

* Flying to Indiana while Jerry drives the van with the kids? (One benefit of being as far along as I'll be, I don't have to do that 22 +hr drive. Well, we could but it would take at least a day longer, and we're anxious to get there)

* Unpacking in our new home?

* Jerry's first day of school?

* Our first day in our new ward?

* Hayden's first day of 1st grade?

* Rebecca's 1st day of preschool? (hopefully, if we can find one cheap enough)

* When my baby boy is born? (definitely tears?)

Here's my thoughts - I think I'll probably cry at all those times leading up to the HUGE bawlfest that will happen about a month after my darling little baby boy is born and life is getting back to normal, at least the new normal, and Jerry is fully into school, the kids will be into the school year, and some random night I'll probably be watching a tv show and I'll think about how we used to watch that show sitting in our little living room in Las Vegas and it will hit, and it will hit hard, and I'll probably go back to this post and look at all the things on the list above and I'll cry a river for each one. And I will be so grateful for the last 11 years that I've had in Las Vegas. All the wonderful memories that have been made, and amazing people that I've met. Family that I've gained, and awesome friendships that have been made.

I am so excited for our move, and the new adventure we'll have. I really feel it will be a great experience for us, definitely hard at times, but it will be worth it. It's just hard saying good bye. I already look forward to trips back to Vegas. (Maybe we'll arrange them when it's not 114* outside)

So when will I lose it???

An unexpected trip to the ER

Sydney has been sick for a couple days. She's had a fever with diarrhea. Yesterday I noticed that it was a little bloody. (Sorry, probably TMI, but it's necessary for the story) I thought I'd watch it for a bit, but it got worse. I made the mistake of looking on webmd to see what it possibly might be. Never do this!! Conditions ranging from a simple stomach bug, to a virus that takes months to heal and can have permanent damage, to lukemia. That got me stressed.

This morning her fever was down a little so that was good, but she still had the bloody diarrhea. I made an appointment with the pediatrician for the afternoon, then debated if I was wasting my money. I hate going to the doctor, spending $20 to find out it's just a virus and will just take some time to get better. Nothing I can do.

After her nap it was even worse. This time it was in a diaper since I have her sleep in her diaper, especially when diarrhea is involved. I was glad I'd made the appointment and wrapped up the gross diaper to take with me just in case the doctor needed a stool sample. The worst is that it is very painful for her too. She just cries everytime after she poops. So sad.

Her fever had spiked after her nap though, it was 104* when we got to the doctor. I hadn't given her any fever reducer because it had been down in the morning, and after her nap it was 102* but I knew we were going right to the dr. and in a way I wanted the temp. to be accurate without any medication masking it. Now I feel horrible that it got to 104*!!! They gave her some medicine right there. But other than that my doctor didn't seem to be too concerned... at first. He said it was a virus, and probably a tummy bug, and just some little fissures were causing the blood. But he still wanted to check out the diaper and do a test to make sure it was blood, etc.

He came back shortly and said he was concerned. The poop looked like it was jelly like, which is a sign of something called, inteseptis? I'm sure that's not the way it's spelled. Basically it's when the intestines bind up, kind of like when you push a telescope closed. If it happens to the intestines it cuts off the blood supply and can be quite dangerous and require immediate surgery to heal it. She has also been complaining of a tummy ache. I kinda figured it was because she was hungry, but severe abdominal pain is another sign. He said, it might not be, but after seeing the diaper there was definitely concern.

What would you do?? There was no way that if there was a chance of it being something serious that I'd opt not to check it out. He called the ER and told me they were waiting for me and to go over there right then.

I was happy he'd called ahead because I only waited like 5 minutes before I got into a room with her. I had to hold her down, and listen to her scream as they had to get a stool sample, and since I left the other diaper at the pediatrician, and she didn't need to poop while we were there they had to go "retrieve" a poop sample. She was NOT happy about that. Then they also needed a urine sample by using a catheter. She got a few minutes for me just to hold her and calm down when they needed to get a blood sample and put an IV in. Because it's such a delicate procedure with getting it right in the vein I couldn't really be right there holding her. I had to stand back and look at her screaming eyes, looking at me wondering why I was making her go through this. She fought hard. They finally got it in, but had to tape it so much so she couldn't bend her hand and mess with the IV line. Oh, that poor girl. Finally they were done and I got to hold her. She just clung to me. The doctors were great and very gentle, she just fought and fought though. She had just about fallen asleep when the X-Ray technician came in to X-Ray her intestines. I couldn't be in the room because I'm pregnant. (Plus, I really had to pee:)) I left while they did the X-Rays and I could hear her screaming all the way down the hall. My heart just broke for her.

Finally all the tests were done and I was able to just hold her and rock with my baby. She fell fast asleep. Next we just had to wait. The doctor told me that it really didn't look like inteseptis, but they wanted to continue with the tests to rule it out completely and make sure, and just to find out what it was, like if it was salmonella or ecoli.

Finally after I'd been there for over 3 hours they got the results and the doctor was happy to tell me that she is perfectly fine. She just has a stomach virus that will take a couple days to go away completely. It is only contagious through her feces, which is a little more controllable than a respiratory virus at least. YAY!! I hadn't really been too worried, but it sure was a relief to hear that she's fine. She said the X-Rays looked great. They don't have all the blood test results back yet, but they will call me tomorrow when they get them, but they didn't see any reason to be concerned. When the nurses took the IV out of Sydney's hand she gave them a half smile, but she didn't like them too much other than that. Poor girl. (Not their fault, they were just doing their job, it just wasn't what she wanted them to do.)

So I went to check out and had to pay my ER co-pay of $200!! For some reason I thought it was only $100, but oh well, what could I do then. I chuckled to myself thinking that I didn't want to have to pay $20 to go to the pediatrician in the first place to find out it's nothing. But now I paid a total of $220 to find out it's nothing. I guess sometimes peace of mind is worth $220. I'm just grateful she is healthy. I'd pay way more than $200 if needed to make sure my children are healthy and going to be just fine. Plus I got some extra good snuggle time with just me and my little girl out of it.