So yesterday was my dd's big birthday party. I have to say, it was a LOT of fun! Build-a-Bear was the first stop. I have to say they did super there with the kids and making the bears and it was a ton of fun! I think everyone enjoyed their time there. Then we took 16 kids through one the biggest malls in America from Build-a-Bear to Rainforest Cafe - which is thankfully a short walk, but we did have to get on an escalator! No one was lost though ::phew::
Rainforest was so wonderful as well - the staff there did a fantastic job as well! And again, the kids, all had so much fun! It was great. I didn't even feel crazy or frantic or like I was losing my mind. Which, when you have a bunch of kids with you, is a great way to feel. Even dh thought it was a great party, and he's not big on parties in general.
After the big party yesterday, I cleaned and organized and packed and folded and put things away.
Things were packed and given to my dh to take to storage. Fabric, yarn, scrapbooking, books, toys, clothes.
So many things to clean and organize.
What's really sad, is you almost can't tell anything was done. The basement still looks crazy - although several piles on the first and second floor are gone, which I'm sure the gp's appreciate as maybe they didn't want to look at our stuff laying around anymore.
The basement, well, the basement is the basement. I'm not sure there is much hope for any asthetic improvement down here honestly. But at least it's more organized now than it was at the start of the weekend.
Of course, I've decided I'm a plastic tub addict now. Came home from the container store with 4-5 of several different sizes, and well, now I am planning what other boxes I would like to get. I need a few more bigs ones, lots of little ones, a couple more for the kids things, and some more for my crafting things.
I never knew i could be organized. I never knew there were reasons for an accessory box, shoe box, men's shoe box, boot box, sweater box, deep sweater box, storage container, large storage container, underbed box, extra long underbed box! So many boxes ... and that was just the sizes available in the simple plastic boxes. I felt a little overwhelmed when I walked into The Container Store today honestly! They guarenteed me if I grabbed the wrong thing, it was easy to return things and get the right size.
Well, let me tell you, I brought those boxes home at noon. By 6 pm they were all filled and stacked (mosty) neatly away.
I could easily go and buy exactly what I bought today again and fill them all up as well ;-)
That was the good part of the weekend. The bad part of the weekend was that dh and I were pretty stressed in general - not with anything to do with the party - just life, and so there was a strain in the air around this house last night. I kind of starting the cleaning binge out of frutration (which really, I suppose isn't the worst thing to do to get rid of frustration!). Then when dh was awake this am I think he realized how much I did last night and he was motivated to help out, and so today we tackled many tasks around this house.
I have to admit, it does feel pretty good to have so many things done .... but when I look around, I have to admit, there is still so much still to do! Maybe that's for next weekend LOL!! ;-)
Sunday, November 05, 2006
Friday, November 03, 2006
Meeting update ...
Today was the big meeting regarding my dd.
I did not walk away very happy about it. I also have to say I walked away in a state of shock!
They said M scored amazingly high on everything - all the tests she was well above average. On the IQ test she scored in the above average - she was beyond 130. Okay, I'm one of those "my children are so smart" moms. But I never would have guessed she was beyond normal smart, if that makes sense. They must have thought I was an idiot because I asked if they were sure it was really that score. I wasn't prepared to hear that at all. Seriously my child is apparently some super-genius according to her IQ score test. Wow. That's all I can say. Well, she didn't get it from me for sure!
Then they told us that there is an obvious learning disability going on. They could not get more specific than that - no specific name for it. And despite them knowing there was a learning disability going on, because her IQ tested so high, they can NOT qualify her for any services or therapy or help.
Please, someone explain to me ... how the heck can they tell me there is a learning disability with my dd, but then turn around and tell me they can't help her?
Because in IL you have to show a 30% delay to qualify, and with an IQ like M's obviously there is no delay. That is the reason they gave me. I'm sorry, but I think that is just wrong. A child should get help no matter what. Ugh. This is so frustrating to me. If there is a problem, let's help her. Let's start now. They all agreed that she is having difficulty with some basic skills that they believe the learning disability is the cause of and could be in a much different place right now were she not contending with this.
On the other hand, all her skills come out average for her age - the issue is that they beleive the skill should be higher. There is a gap in what she showed them she is capable of and what she was actually doing. Well I don't care if she is average today. I want her to be where she should be for her. I would like my dd to have the skills to reach her full potential! Well, really, what parent doesn't want that?
So I asked, okay, you can't put her in your program but what can I be doing at home to help her out? I thought I might get an idea or two. Nope. Nothing. They don't give out home programs, but for 175 a month I could enroll her in the preschool anyway and then they'd be willing to work with us. The last 10 minutes of the meeting felt like a commercial to get me to sign her up for the pay preschool program there.
I tell you what. I do not feel happy with what happened today. IMO, if there is a learning disability they should help - no matter what baseline IQ is. She is still struggling to learn and is not at this point in time able to reach her full potential. I think this whole numbers game of 30% delay is crap.
I am so disappointed with the school, but I do recognize it's a state law and they are following it, but it still upsets me.
So we know there is an issue, but the school will not accept her - unless I put her in the pay preschool, which of course is open to anyone out there. So today I am going to make some calls to other people and try to figure out if I want to a) do private therapy with M b) put her in preschool in general c) put her in there preschool program d) just try to get her set up in a home program where I work with her or some combo.
I guess the issue is that I see her getting frustrated when she can't do things. I see her wanting to do more than what she can. I see her getting upset when she struggles with stuff. And I see her giving up to avoid that frustration. I don't care if she is the smartest 4 year old in the world or an average 4 year old, I wouldn't even care if she was well below average for her age, if she was working at a place that was right for her. I want to see her reach her full potential, I want to see her happier with things. Really, I don't even care too much about the IQ test (okay, I have to admit it did feel kind of nice to hear those nice numbers) but let's be real here - in the real world, her IQ score isn't going to matter at all - her ability to interact with people, to learn new things, to be able to put what she learns into practice - that is what is going to matter. When she goes to get a job as an adult, they won't ask her IQ score, they will ask things like How do you handle stress? What area do you excell at? Struggle with? When she goes to play with other kids, no one is going to ask her IQ score. They are going to see how she talks with them, shares with them, can play games with them. Let's face it, IQ score don't count for much other than maybe some bragging rights for me and dh for a few weeks and well, maybe she'll want to join MENSA one day. Aside from that, it's a number on a paper. And if she struggles to learn, it doens't matter what her potential could be .... if she can't figure out how to learn things, her potential won't be reached. And that seems so sad to me.
Anyway, I still feel like my head is spinning with all that they told me. If you made it this far thanks for reading
I did not walk away very happy about it. I also have to say I walked away in a state of shock!
They said M scored amazingly high on everything - all the tests she was well above average. On the IQ test she scored in the above average - she was beyond 130. Okay, I'm one of those "my children are so smart" moms. But I never would have guessed she was beyond normal smart, if that makes sense. They must have thought I was an idiot because I asked if they were sure it was really that score. I wasn't prepared to hear that at all. Seriously my child is apparently some super-genius according to her IQ score test. Wow. That's all I can say. Well, she didn't get it from me for sure!
Then they told us that there is an obvious learning disability going on. They could not get more specific than that - no specific name for it. And despite them knowing there was a learning disability going on, because her IQ tested so high, they can NOT qualify her for any services or therapy or help.
Please, someone explain to me ... how the heck can they tell me there is a learning disability with my dd, but then turn around and tell me they can't help her?
Because in IL you have to show a 30% delay to qualify, and with an IQ like M's obviously there is no delay. That is the reason they gave me. I'm sorry, but I think that is just wrong. A child should get help no matter what. Ugh. This is so frustrating to me. If there is a problem, let's help her. Let's start now. They all agreed that she is having difficulty with some basic skills that they believe the learning disability is the cause of and could be in a much different place right now were she not contending with this.
On the other hand, all her skills come out average for her age - the issue is that they beleive the skill should be higher. There is a gap in what she showed them she is capable of and what she was actually doing. Well I don't care if she is average today. I want her to be where she should be for her. I would like my dd to have the skills to reach her full potential! Well, really, what parent doesn't want that?
So I asked, okay, you can't put her in your program but what can I be doing at home to help her out? I thought I might get an idea or two. Nope. Nothing. They don't give out home programs, but for 175 a month I could enroll her in the preschool anyway and then they'd be willing to work with us. The last 10 minutes of the meeting felt like a commercial to get me to sign her up for the pay preschool program there.
I tell you what. I do not feel happy with what happened today. IMO, if there is a learning disability they should help - no matter what baseline IQ is. She is still struggling to learn and is not at this point in time able to reach her full potential. I think this whole numbers game of 30% delay is crap.
I am so disappointed with the school, but I do recognize it's a state law and they are following it, but it still upsets me.
So we know there is an issue, but the school will not accept her - unless I put her in the pay preschool, which of course is open to anyone out there. So today I am going to make some calls to other people and try to figure out if I want to a) do private therapy with M b) put her in preschool in general c) put her in there preschool program d) just try to get her set up in a home program where I work with her or some combo.
I guess the issue is that I see her getting frustrated when she can't do things. I see her wanting to do more than what she can. I see her getting upset when she struggles with stuff. And I see her giving up to avoid that frustration. I don't care if she is the smartest 4 year old in the world or an average 4 year old, I wouldn't even care if she was well below average for her age, if she was working at a place that was right for her. I want to see her reach her full potential, I want to see her happier with things. Really, I don't even care too much about the IQ test (okay, I have to admit it did feel kind of nice to hear those nice numbers) but let's be real here - in the real world, her IQ score isn't going to matter at all - her ability to interact with people, to learn new things, to be able to put what she learns into practice - that is what is going to matter. When she goes to get a job as an adult, they won't ask her IQ score, they will ask things like How do you handle stress? What area do you excell at? Struggle with? When she goes to play with other kids, no one is going to ask her IQ score. They are going to see how she talks with them, shares with them, can play games with them. Let's face it, IQ score don't count for much other than maybe some bragging rights for me and dh for a few weeks and well, maybe she'll want to join MENSA one day. Aside from that, it's a number on a paper. And if she struggles to learn, it doens't matter what her potential could be .... if she can't figure out how to learn things, her potential won't be reached. And that seems so sad to me.
Anyway, I still feel like my head is spinning with all that they told me. If you made it this far thanks for reading
Thursday, November 02, 2006
Ready to go ...
crazy. again.
It seems this is the cycle of my life these days ... get past a few days, then start to fall deeper and deeper behind, feel like I'm drowning, and then feel like I've crashed against a brick wall. Which, let me tell you, is not a fun feeling at all.
I don't know ... I keep thinking if I could get babyboy to sleep on a more regular schedule for more than 1.5 to 2 hours at a time.
Last night he woke up 4 times in less than 4 hours. He is almost 11 months old. I'm not asking for a 15 hour stretch each night ... but a 3 or 4 hour stretch, well, would that kill him? Apparently it would!
The 4th time he woke up I literally started crying. Just burst into tears in bed. My dh, a pretty smart guy, then got out of bed, told me to try to go back to sleep, and tried to soothe babyboy. It was successful, but only after some time ... basically when babyboy stood up, he laid him back down, rubbed his back and just let him cry.
Of course, I didn't really fall back asleep. I felt guilty. I HATE letting a baby cry. I just hate it - but even I had to admit, last night it probably wasn't such a bad idea. Because I don't think nursing every 45 minutes when you are 10 months old is such a great habit to encourage. But I still hate that he cried. Probably it took about 30-45 minutes for him to settle down, and he slept for another hour. I suppose an hour is an hour, but I don't know ... I hate making him cry that much just to get only an hour more of sleep.
But dh and I feel torn with what to do. We let him eat a lot during the day - he nurses, he eats solids, he drinks water, he nurses, he nurses a lot, and he eats food. He gets excited to be in his high chair, he eats a bit of food, and then he stops when he is done. So I know at this age, babies can wake a lot as a sign that their food needs have gone up. But, we let him eat - and not just a bite here or a bite there either!
I just keep thinking this too shall pass. But, holy cow batman. I am so tired it's not funny.
Someday, we'll figure out how to get him sleeping through the night I'm sure. And then I won't kow what to do with myself I'll be so rested it won't be funny!
And the gp's are tentatively leaving around the 17th of the month. And then this momma is going to go to the store and buy gates, several gates. And Mr. Babyboy will no longer have free reign of this house. Oh no. He will be kept to a few small rooms. And this momma will sit for a few minutes every now and then.
And Mr. Babyboy will go into a real crib, a real bed to rest his little head on. I am secretly hoping that just putting him ina crib will help him to sleep better. I am sure the pack n play is not very comfortable and maybe a crib will be the trick to keep him comfy and sleeping longer! I surely can wish, can't I?
In other, non-babyboy related news, I have not yet mentioned any houses that I have been looking at and have fallen in love with over the internet. House hunting, that was supposed to begin November 1, is being put on hold. The gp's are talking about staying in Florida through Spring of 2008. I am not sure that they will actually stay down there, so I hate to not house search should they change their mine in May and give us about 7 days notice they are coming home. Yet, at the same time, baring any major interest rate rises, being able to be mortgage free for another 12-18 months, well, that isn't necessarily a bad thing either. So dh and I are feeling torn. I talked to granny about it the other day. She said she didn't think grandpa would make it down there through the summer, but maybe they would. She also understood that we needed more space and commented how well we were doing with the small room we currently had. So I think she at least understands our dilema with all of this. Now, we need grandpa to understand how we are feeling and we need them to make a decision and tell us that decision so we can figure out what to do.
Also, tomorrow I have the meeting regarding my 4 year old and what their evaluations show. I'm a bit nervous about it all to be honest. On one hand I want them to say we will give her speech, ot and pt, but on the other hand, I want to also hear, she is wonderful and bright and smart and no problems - go on about life skipping along! But we will see tomorrow what will happen and what they say.
Okay, enough babbling for now, and I'm pretty sure babyboy just fell asleep so off to bed I should go!
It seems this is the cycle of my life these days ... get past a few days, then start to fall deeper and deeper behind, feel like I'm drowning, and then feel like I've crashed against a brick wall. Which, let me tell you, is not a fun feeling at all.
I don't know ... I keep thinking if I could get babyboy to sleep on a more regular schedule for more than 1.5 to 2 hours at a time.
Last night he woke up 4 times in less than 4 hours. He is almost 11 months old. I'm not asking for a 15 hour stretch each night ... but a 3 or 4 hour stretch, well, would that kill him? Apparently it would!
The 4th time he woke up I literally started crying. Just burst into tears in bed. My dh, a pretty smart guy, then got out of bed, told me to try to go back to sleep, and tried to soothe babyboy. It was successful, but only after some time ... basically when babyboy stood up, he laid him back down, rubbed his back and just let him cry.
Of course, I didn't really fall back asleep. I felt guilty. I HATE letting a baby cry. I just hate it - but even I had to admit, last night it probably wasn't such a bad idea. Because I don't think nursing every 45 minutes when you are 10 months old is such a great habit to encourage. But I still hate that he cried. Probably it took about 30-45 minutes for him to settle down, and he slept for another hour. I suppose an hour is an hour, but I don't know ... I hate making him cry that much just to get only an hour more of sleep.
But dh and I feel torn with what to do. We let him eat a lot during the day - he nurses, he eats solids, he drinks water, he nurses, he nurses a lot, and he eats food. He gets excited to be in his high chair, he eats a bit of food, and then he stops when he is done. So I know at this age, babies can wake a lot as a sign that their food needs have gone up. But, we let him eat - and not just a bite here or a bite there either!
I just keep thinking this too shall pass. But, holy cow batman. I am so tired it's not funny.
Someday, we'll figure out how to get him sleeping through the night I'm sure. And then I won't kow what to do with myself I'll be so rested it won't be funny!
And the gp's are tentatively leaving around the 17th of the month. And then this momma is going to go to the store and buy gates, several gates. And Mr. Babyboy will no longer have free reign of this house. Oh no. He will be kept to a few small rooms. And this momma will sit for a few minutes every now and then.
And Mr. Babyboy will go into a real crib, a real bed to rest his little head on. I am secretly hoping that just putting him ina crib will help him to sleep better. I am sure the pack n play is not very comfortable and maybe a crib will be the trick to keep him comfy and sleeping longer! I surely can wish, can't I?
In other, non-babyboy related news, I have not yet mentioned any houses that I have been looking at and have fallen in love with over the internet. House hunting, that was supposed to begin November 1, is being put on hold. The gp's are talking about staying in Florida through Spring of 2008. I am not sure that they will actually stay down there, so I hate to not house search should they change their mine in May and give us about 7 days notice they are coming home. Yet, at the same time, baring any major interest rate rises, being able to be mortgage free for another 12-18 months, well, that isn't necessarily a bad thing either. So dh and I are feeling torn. I talked to granny about it the other day. She said she didn't think grandpa would make it down there through the summer, but maybe they would. She also understood that we needed more space and commented how well we were doing with the small room we currently had. So I think she at least understands our dilema with all of this. Now, we need grandpa to understand how we are feeling and we need them to make a decision and tell us that decision so we can figure out what to do.
Also, tomorrow I have the meeting regarding my 4 year old and what their evaluations show. I'm a bit nervous about it all to be honest. On one hand I want them to say we will give her speech, ot and pt, but on the other hand, I want to also hear, she is wonderful and bright and smart and no problems - go on about life skipping along! But we will see tomorrow what will happen and what they say.
Okay, enough babbling for now, and I'm pretty sure babyboy just fell asleep so off to bed I should go!
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
My children ...
My two girls have both thrown me for loops recently. Both on Sunday, merely hours apart.
First of all, in my 4 year old's Sunday School class, the teacher gave each student a quarter to give during offering time and gave the kids a chance to decide to give it or keep it. Well, my darling 4 year old decided to keep it. When I asked her why she said "Well, they would give me a bonus point if I gave it to Jesus, but mom, I already had 6 points so I decided to keep it."
Um. What? Obviously, she completely missed the whole entire idea of it. She thought the poing of giving it away would be to get one bonus point. Of course, the entire way home we talked about what the church does with that money that we give. We talked about how mom gave money in at church too because we have so much that we need to share all the wonderful things we have. I really thought she knew that already. And, actually when we were talking, she did show me she understood! The issue at Sunday School was that she thought she was giving the quarter only to get more points.
By the time we arrived home, we decided that next Sunday, we would bring the quarter back and give it, and she would even bring an extra quarter from her piggy bank, and I would give her a third quarter to give, and she is now VERY excited that she can give 3 quarters to the church, instead of just one.
Of course, that leaves me in a quandry with this Sunday School program. It seems to me that my initial reaction of being leary about this point system was really where I still stand today. I am very unhappy with the point system. My children are getting too caught up in the points they get, to really focus on what the teachers are trying to teach them. We have discussed, several times now, about how the points are not important - apparently 4 year old understood she wasn't there to get points, so she kept her quarter because she didn't care about the point (but obviously didn't understand there was more to giving than one point). At this point, I really feel like I need to discuss this feeling with those that run the program. I also heard on the car ride home from my 7 year old "Mom, next week I need to bring my Bible to Sunday School because we get points for that!"
Ugh. On one hand I want to tell her, nope, you are not bringing it because I don't think you need the points. At the same time, I want to say, well yes, it is important to bring your Bible if you plan on using it during Sunday School and aren't just bringing it as a show piece.
I guess the whole thing irks me because I can't for the life of me figure out why they introduced this point system in the first place. Sunday School was one of the few places were they weren't getting graded, earning points, earning prizes, etc. I think Sunday School is a bit above that, and now, well, we are struggling with trying to teach the kids to do things simply to do it and not for getting points.
Well, a few hours later I heard my 7 year old say to her cousin (who had just commented he liked the dancing he saw on tv) "Why? do you think that's doing the x word?" He looked at her like she grew two extra heads, ignored her, and kept watching. Now, I caught this and thought I knew what the "x word" was but knew I had to be wrong so I called her over and point blank asked her what it meant. She told me "you know mom, sex."
Crud. I wasn't wrong afterall - and no, I have NO idea why she thinks it's the "x word." I'm assuming she saw something on TV where someone was dancing and someone else must have commented that they were sexy. That's the only way I can figure out she thought the dancing was sex.
Well, of course, I then asked her if she knew what sex was. She shook her head no. We had all of a 2 minute conversation where I requested she did speak of things she didn't know about, and should she want to know about them, she can ask her father and me about it. She ended the conversation pretty quickly, to get back to the cousin who was visiting.
I felt really unsure about what to do ... I wanted to keep her there and have a talk with her, but at the same time, I knew she didn't want to do it just then with other kids at our house. Dh nad I have decided that sometime within the week, we will be sitting down with her to have a real conversation about the topic - one that will maybe last more than a few moments. I admit, I am nervous about this. I'm not sure what kind of questions she will ask and just how much information she will want to know. I guess on one hand, I'm thinking how come the topic didn't come up sooner? But here it is, in our life, and we will deal with it. But I admit, they'll be some butterflies in my stomach during this conversation!
Ah, the joys of the children growing up!
First of all, in my 4 year old's Sunday School class, the teacher gave each student a quarter to give during offering time and gave the kids a chance to decide to give it or keep it. Well, my darling 4 year old decided to keep it. When I asked her why she said "Well, they would give me a bonus point if I gave it to Jesus, but mom, I already had 6 points so I decided to keep it."
Um. What? Obviously, she completely missed the whole entire idea of it. She thought the poing of giving it away would be to get one bonus point. Of course, the entire way home we talked about what the church does with that money that we give. We talked about how mom gave money in at church too because we have so much that we need to share all the wonderful things we have. I really thought she knew that already. And, actually when we were talking, she did show me she understood! The issue at Sunday School was that she thought she was giving the quarter only to get more points.
By the time we arrived home, we decided that next Sunday, we would bring the quarter back and give it, and she would even bring an extra quarter from her piggy bank, and I would give her a third quarter to give, and she is now VERY excited that she can give 3 quarters to the church, instead of just one.
Of course, that leaves me in a quandry with this Sunday School program. It seems to me that my initial reaction of being leary about this point system was really where I still stand today. I am very unhappy with the point system. My children are getting too caught up in the points they get, to really focus on what the teachers are trying to teach them. We have discussed, several times now, about how the points are not important - apparently 4 year old understood she wasn't there to get points, so she kept her quarter because she didn't care about the point (but obviously didn't understand there was more to giving than one point). At this point, I really feel like I need to discuss this feeling with those that run the program. I also heard on the car ride home from my 7 year old "Mom, next week I need to bring my Bible to Sunday School because we get points for that!"
Ugh. On one hand I want to tell her, nope, you are not bringing it because I don't think you need the points. At the same time, I want to say, well yes, it is important to bring your Bible if you plan on using it during Sunday School and aren't just bringing it as a show piece.
I guess the whole thing irks me because I can't for the life of me figure out why they introduced this point system in the first place. Sunday School was one of the few places were they weren't getting graded, earning points, earning prizes, etc. I think Sunday School is a bit above that, and now, well, we are struggling with trying to teach the kids to do things simply to do it and not for getting points.
Well, a few hours later I heard my 7 year old say to her cousin (who had just commented he liked the dancing he saw on tv) "Why? do you think that's doing the x word?" He looked at her like she grew two extra heads, ignored her, and kept watching. Now, I caught this and thought I knew what the "x word" was but knew I had to be wrong so I called her over and point blank asked her what it meant. She told me "you know mom, sex."
Crud. I wasn't wrong afterall - and no, I have NO idea why she thinks it's the "x word." I'm assuming she saw something on TV where someone was dancing and someone else must have commented that they were sexy. That's the only way I can figure out she thought the dancing was sex.
Well, of course, I then asked her if she knew what sex was. She shook her head no. We had all of a 2 minute conversation where I requested she did speak of things she didn't know about, and should she want to know about them, she can ask her father and me about it. She ended the conversation pretty quickly, to get back to the cousin who was visiting.
I felt really unsure about what to do ... I wanted to keep her there and have a talk with her, but at the same time, I knew she didn't want to do it just then with other kids at our house. Dh nad I have decided that sometime within the week, we will be sitting down with her to have a real conversation about the topic - one that will maybe last more than a few moments. I admit, I am nervous about this. I'm not sure what kind of questions she will ask and just how much information she will want to know. I guess on one hand, I'm thinking how come the topic didn't come up sooner? But here it is, in our life, and we will deal with it. But I admit, they'll be some butterflies in my stomach during this conversation!
Ah, the joys of the children growing up!
Monday, October 30, 2006
The internet ...
The internet used to be my refuge, my place to go to "talk" with adults each day, to learn about current events and what other moms were doing or thinking, to get the latest celebrity gossip, or learn about the status of world events.
I LOVED being able to go on the internet ... my family used to tease me (okay, they still do tease me) that I'm addicted to the internet and would probably explode should I not be able to check my e-mails every 10 minutes.
[I'd like to note here that I have gone entire weekends without checking e-mails and my head is still in one piece thank you very much. Now, a whole week of no e-mail, well, I don't know if that's doable!]
We used to live in a neighborhood where I didn't know my neighbors. There was a language barrier there, and although they were nice and a few of them even tried to talk to me (which I appreciated) we never did get past formalities of how are you, how is your day, great, bye. Mostly because very few spoke any english and I don't speak spanish that well.
So I was, to put it bluntly, lonely. I turned to an on-line world of message boards and e-mails. And then a few years ago, turned to blogging. At first only reading one message board ... and at my peak, posting and participating on 7 message boards at once! Now the number is lower and slowly dropping again ....
I began by reading a small number of blogs from people I knew on one message board, and today it has exploded into over 100 blogs read by me (no, not all on the same day!).
But lately, the internet has not been that wonderful place I once thought it was. Many past internet friends have gotten non-internet lives .... dropping e-mail addresses, no more postings on message boards, blogs deleted.
From another message board I recieved an anonymous e-mail telling me to stop posting there since apparently Ms. I-am-too-chicken-to-e-mail-you-under-my-actual-e-mail-address was speaking "on behalf of the entire board." And yes, I read the e-mail as I rolled my eyes, I knew it was probably some snert who read the most recent debate and took advantage of it, and probably not even someone who actual posts on that board, well, I had to think - is this really the kind of e-mail I want to recieve? Is this what I want to read?
Well, no, not really. Granted, I have opinions and I like to debate topics, but I don't generally like to be mean to people nor do I think I'm powerful enough to tell one person where they can and can't go on the internet. But really, I had to think if that is what I wanted in my life. And the answer is no. And know I struggle with what exactly do I want from the internet? When I get time, where do I want to visit - blogs, message boards, neither, both .... I don't know.
I suppose I need to grow thicker skin, learn to take the good with the bad, and not let things bother me so much .... but it's not that easy for me to do that! I try, I really do ... my skin is thicker than when I entered my first message board debate - I've grown from there. Right now I need to continue to grow and I need to figure out what to do with myself these days.
I suppose the hardest part of this is losing my internet friends. People who no longer use the internet that much that don't really e-mail back when I e-mail them. It's sad to grow apart from people that I once felt so close to. To feel like the relationship with them - even if only over e-mails and posts and comments - is now over. Who knows, maybe they will grow again. Maybe not. But it's sad. And I hate seeing things like that end.
I LOVED being able to go on the internet ... my family used to tease me (okay, they still do tease me) that I'm addicted to the internet and would probably explode should I not be able to check my e-mails every 10 minutes.
[I'd like to note here that I have gone entire weekends without checking e-mails and my head is still in one piece thank you very much. Now, a whole week of no e-mail, well, I don't know if that's doable!]
We used to live in a neighborhood where I didn't know my neighbors. There was a language barrier there, and although they were nice and a few of them even tried to talk to me (which I appreciated) we never did get past formalities of how are you, how is your day, great, bye. Mostly because very few spoke any english and I don't speak spanish that well.
So I was, to put it bluntly, lonely. I turned to an on-line world of message boards and e-mails. And then a few years ago, turned to blogging. At first only reading one message board ... and at my peak, posting and participating on 7 message boards at once! Now the number is lower and slowly dropping again ....
I began by reading a small number of blogs from people I knew on one message board, and today it has exploded into over 100 blogs read by me (no, not all on the same day!).
But lately, the internet has not been that wonderful place I once thought it was. Many past internet friends have gotten non-internet lives .... dropping e-mail addresses, no more postings on message boards, blogs deleted.
From another message board I recieved an anonymous e-mail telling me to stop posting there since apparently Ms. I-am-too-chicken-to-e-mail-you-under-my-actual-e-mail-address was speaking "on behalf of the entire board." And yes, I read the e-mail as I rolled my eyes, I knew it was probably some snert who read the most recent debate and took advantage of it, and probably not even someone who actual posts on that board, well, I had to think - is this really the kind of e-mail I want to recieve? Is this what I want to read?
Well, no, not really. Granted, I have opinions and I like to debate topics, but I don't generally like to be mean to people nor do I think I'm powerful enough to tell one person where they can and can't go on the internet. But really, I had to think if that is what I wanted in my life. And the answer is no. And know I struggle with what exactly do I want from the internet? When I get time, where do I want to visit - blogs, message boards, neither, both .... I don't know.
I suppose I need to grow thicker skin, learn to take the good with the bad, and not let things bother me so much .... but it's not that easy for me to do that! I try, I really do ... my skin is thicker than when I entered my first message board debate - I've grown from there. Right now I need to continue to grow and I need to figure out what to do with myself these days.
I suppose the hardest part of this is losing my internet friends. People who no longer use the internet that much that don't really e-mail back when I e-mail them. It's sad to grow apart from people that I once felt so close to. To feel like the relationship with them - even if only over e-mails and posts and comments - is now over. Who knows, maybe they will grow again. Maybe not. But it's sad. And I hate seeing things like that end.
Saturday, October 28, 2006
Lucky number 7 ....
Today my biggest "baby" turned 7 years old.
In honor of her 7th birthday, we had a very special kind of cake for her today ... she got to have pancakes for breakfast! LOL!
So, really, it was because my dh had to work today and will be out of the house from 8:50am to about 11:00pm. Which means daddy wasn't around for dinnertime. So we had a breakfast bash for her.
She was wonderful and told us that she absolutely loved her breakfast bash =)
She opened presents sent to us from across the country from graham and pop. A present for her little sister - who wrapped up some of her toys to give her big sister - which I admit I think is WAY too sweet! And then dh and I gave her one book today. She has her party next weekend, so I wanted to have something today and something then for her.
Then, surprise of all surprises, we ended up going to where dh works (at a fall celebration at a local farm) and he was able to get some time off and go around on rides with us and really spend time with us. We ended up running into other family members there - and we stayed and all the kids went on rides together! We drank hot chocolate, went on rides, ate cookies, froze, and had a great time.
On the way home, my 7 year old proclaimed "This has been the best birthday ever mom!" Well, nice to know that our simple way of celebrating today was so great for her. Of course next week we will shell out way too much money and over-indulge her in what I think will be a very un-simple celebration, but you know, every kid has to have a few big birthdays while growing up, and this year happens to be one of her big ones. It may be that next weekend we do go over the top for her, but you know what? I don't mind because today she showed me that she doesn't need over the top to be satisfied.
That although I'm sure she will have a grand time next weekend, she was just as satisfied on this day, where the only cake she ate was pancake, where I spent literally 25.00 - including her gift - and that just going somewhere and playing with people she knows really is a grand time for her. I admit, it was very nice to see that today =) It makes em feel like I might be doing something right in raising these children of mine.
But ... back to my daughter - in some ways it's hard to believe she is 7 years old ... that 7 years ago I had given birth for the first time, had my first child placed in my arms, and that everyone left me alone in that hospital room with my child for the first time when visiting hours were over.
And yet, I am not sad on this day ... I have not teared up looking at her. I have so many grand memories of her through the years - of her laughing and crying, loving me and hating me, acting like the best child in the world and then acting like the most misbehaving child that not even Super Nanny could help, I have seen her be so curious she couldn't learn enough about someething, and then so uninterested in it that she can't be bothered to even hear one more thing about it! I've seen her dance, sing, play with her sister, and then yell at, push, and fight with her sister. I've seen her very sick, literally deathly ill, I've seen the doctors look at her like they aren't sure what to do next and while they were making plans to transfer her to a much larger children's hospital, I saw her recover so quickly everyone was amazed! From the beginning she proved to be an exciting person - the day she was born, she stayed awake all day long - which proved to be a trend for about her first 2 years of life other than when she was ill! I have heard her tell me very seriously through tears "I am NEVER going to the dentist again. EVER." And then less than one year later tell me "I think I might want to marry Dr. Y [our new dentist]!" I have seen her welcome 2 siblings into our family with open arms. And then get very mad when they learned to walk and could touch her things!
Over the past 7 years I have been through so much with her - so many learning experiences since she was the first, a lot of anxiety over her also since she was the first, so much wondering if she was doing the right thing, if I was doing the right thing, and how will she be when she grows up. Wondering and dreaming about her future, while missing and also celebrating the past, and loving her in the future!
She is really wonderful in all honesty! I don't say that because I'm her mom either ;-) I promise she has her less than perfect moments, but I wouldn't trade her for the world.
And today, I do not feel sad that she is another year older ... I think because I see her growing and learning and changing. And over the last year she has really grown a lot and she has amazed me in so many ways! And that is why I am not sad to see another year come her way. Because I see there are so many wonderful things in store for her future and I can not wait to see that future and share that future with her. And so today, I am excited to see another year come! I can't wait to see all that lies ahead for her!
So, today, I say Happy Birthday Miss A! I'm glad you had an amazingly fun birthday =) And I'm glad you are my dd and I can celebrate with you =)
In honor of her 7th birthday, we had a very special kind of cake for her today ... she got to have pancakes for breakfast! LOL!
So, really, it was because my dh had to work today and will be out of the house from 8:50am to about 11:00pm. Which means daddy wasn't around for dinnertime. So we had a breakfast bash for her.
She was wonderful and told us that she absolutely loved her breakfast bash =)
She opened presents sent to us from across the country from graham and pop. A present for her little sister - who wrapped up some of her toys to give her big sister - which I admit I think is WAY too sweet! And then dh and I gave her one book today. She has her party next weekend, so I wanted to have something today and something then for her.
Then, surprise of all surprises, we ended up going to where dh works (at a fall celebration at a local farm) and he was able to get some time off and go around on rides with us and really spend time with us. We ended up running into other family members there - and we stayed and all the kids went on rides together! We drank hot chocolate, went on rides, ate cookies, froze, and had a great time.
On the way home, my 7 year old proclaimed "This has been the best birthday ever mom!" Well, nice to know that our simple way of celebrating today was so great for her. Of course next week we will shell out way too much money and over-indulge her in what I think will be a very un-simple celebration, but you know, every kid has to have a few big birthdays while growing up, and this year happens to be one of her big ones. It may be that next weekend we do go over the top for her, but you know what? I don't mind because today she showed me that she doesn't need over the top to be satisfied.
That although I'm sure she will have a grand time next weekend, she was just as satisfied on this day, where the only cake she ate was pancake, where I spent literally 25.00 - including her gift - and that just going somewhere and playing with people she knows really is a grand time for her. I admit, it was very nice to see that today =) It makes em feel like I might be doing something right in raising these children of mine.
But ... back to my daughter - in some ways it's hard to believe she is 7 years old ... that 7 years ago I had given birth for the first time, had my first child placed in my arms, and that everyone left me alone in that hospital room with my child for the first time when visiting hours were over.
And yet, I am not sad on this day ... I have not teared up looking at her. I have so many grand memories of her through the years - of her laughing and crying, loving me and hating me, acting like the best child in the world and then acting like the most misbehaving child that not even Super Nanny could help, I have seen her be so curious she couldn't learn enough about someething, and then so uninterested in it that she can't be bothered to even hear one more thing about it! I've seen her dance, sing, play with her sister, and then yell at, push, and fight with her sister. I've seen her very sick, literally deathly ill, I've seen the doctors look at her like they aren't sure what to do next and while they were making plans to transfer her to a much larger children's hospital, I saw her recover so quickly everyone was amazed! From the beginning she proved to be an exciting person - the day she was born, she stayed awake all day long - which proved to be a trend for about her first 2 years of life other than when she was ill! I have heard her tell me very seriously through tears "I am NEVER going to the dentist again. EVER." And then less than one year later tell me "I think I might want to marry Dr. Y [our new dentist]!" I have seen her welcome 2 siblings into our family with open arms. And then get very mad when they learned to walk and could touch her things!
Over the past 7 years I have been through so much with her - so many learning experiences since she was the first, a lot of anxiety over her also since she was the first, so much wondering if she was doing the right thing, if I was doing the right thing, and how will she be when she grows up. Wondering and dreaming about her future, while missing and also celebrating the past, and loving her in the future!
She is really wonderful in all honesty! I don't say that because I'm her mom either ;-) I promise she has her less than perfect moments, but I wouldn't trade her for the world.
And today, I do not feel sad that she is another year older ... I think because I see her growing and learning and changing. And over the last year she has really grown a lot and she has amazed me in so many ways! And that is why I am not sad to see another year come her way. Because I see there are so many wonderful things in store for her future and I can not wait to see that future and share that future with her. And so today, I am excited to see another year come! I can't wait to see all that lies ahead for her!
So, today, I say Happy Birthday Miss A! I'm glad you had an amazingly fun birthday =) And I'm glad you are my dd and I can celebrate with you =)
Thursday, October 26, 2006
I remembered ...
I remember the other thing I wanted to blog about yesterday ... I wanted to make some more comments on comments! Yes, one could argue I am a bit obsessed with them ...
Anyway, I enjoy getting them so much so, that I make a point to leave comments all over the blog world each and every day! I read way too many blogs in all honesty ... I have roughly 100 feeds on my bloglines account :X Which really, just goes to prove I read too many blogs frankly!
But I do try to leave comments on several blogs each day, knowing how much I enjoy getting them I think it's only fair to give them as well.
That said, sometimes comments have to be approved by the blog owner. And sometimes those owners do not approve my comments. And then I get all nervous. And I think that maybe I said something they didn't like, or they came to my blog and didn't like it, and all sorts of wierd things. Probably I should think they didn't have time to read and approve my comments, or maybe they get so many spam comments they simply just do not approve when they don't recognize the name or maybe they are not as obsessive about these things like me!
Anyway, there really isn't too much to say aside from that.
I had my first moms club function as president today. It was interesting. A few people asked me what I do, and at this point I don't really know and was told by a few others today I can pretty much do as much or as little as I want. Interesting ... we'll see. I have some ideas which I hope will liven up the group a bit! On the same topic, my oldest told everyone that I was her mom AND the president, and even told at least one person she was so proud of me for being president! How cute! She is proud of me =) I feel quite special. But aside from all of that, we had fun at the party today - it was nice to get out and chat with people - several moms have babies within a 2 month spam of babyboy. Not so many my middle dd's age and no one my oldest's age, but that's okay ... they still made a few friends and had fun today too.
I loved being able to show off the girls costumes. I didn't even tell anyone I made them, but they had a few comments on how cute they were - it made me smile.
Right now, I have a baby on my lap. He is way too tired, but is fighting sleep a lot. So now he is on my lap - he lays on me for a few moments then pops up pretty quickly as if to say just kidding ma! I'm not tired! I don't want to sleep!! Party ALLL night long okay ma? Yeah!!! Woo-hoo! I'm crossing my fingers that we won't really be awake all night. Here's hoping we are both asleep soon!
Anyway, I enjoy getting them so much so, that I make a point to leave comments all over the blog world each and every day! I read way too many blogs in all honesty ... I have roughly 100 feeds on my bloglines account :X Which really, just goes to prove I read too many blogs frankly!
But I do try to leave comments on several blogs each day, knowing how much I enjoy getting them I think it's only fair to give them as well.
That said, sometimes comments have to be approved by the blog owner. And sometimes those owners do not approve my comments. And then I get all nervous. And I think that maybe I said something they didn't like, or they came to my blog and didn't like it, and all sorts of wierd things. Probably I should think they didn't have time to read and approve my comments, or maybe they get so many spam comments they simply just do not approve when they don't recognize the name or maybe they are not as obsessive about these things like me!
Anyway, there really isn't too much to say aside from that.
I had my first moms club function as president today. It was interesting. A few people asked me what I do, and at this point I don't really know and was told by a few others today I can pretty much do as much or as little as I want. Interesting ... we'll see. I have some ideas which I hope will liven up the group a bit! On the same topic, my oldest told everyone that I was her mom AND the president, and even told at least one person she was so proud of me for being president! How cute! She is proud of me =) I feel quite special. But aside from all of that, we had fun at the party today - it was nice to get out and chat with people - several moms have babies within a 2 month spam of babyboy. Not so many my middle dd's age and no one my oldest's age, but that's okay ... they still made a few friends and had fun today too.
I loved being able to show off the girls costumes. I didn't even tell anyone I made them, but they had a few comments on how cute they were - it made me smile.
Right now, I have a baby on my lap. He is way too tired, but is fighting sleep a lot. So now he is on my lap - he lays on me for a few moments then pops up pretty quickly as if to say just kidding ma! I'm not tired! I don't want to sleep!! Party ALLL night long okay ma? Yeah!!! Woo-hoo! I'm crossing my fingers that we won't really be awake all night. Here's hoping we are both asleep soon!
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
Some very exciting news ....
Well, some maybe very exciting news on the horizon ...
It might not even happen, but someone told me today she wanted my in the delivery room when she had her baby! Now, her husband is semi-against this ... and I wouldn't want to be in there if he didn't want me there. But, I just truly feel honored! I think giving birth is a very intimate affair.
I know me personally, wouldn't want just anyone in the room with me. And so I feel like if she is saying she wants me to be there for her, to help her get through it all (she is trying for VBAC), well, I feel quite honored. Wow. And in the end, if it doesn't happen, I'm okay with that ... just knowing she was thinking about it makes me feel very special indeed!
Aside from that, today has been, well, a pretty gosh darn boring day frankly LOL! Not too much is going on here - I have finally finished the halloween costumes for the girls - not a moment to soon as the first party is tomorrow. ;-)
At some point today I had other things to type her, but I have been missing my brain all day today. I think it had something to do with babyboy wanting to play last night from about 12:30 to 2:30. Yeah, I'm a bit tired and not really with it right now!
Hopefully by tomorrow I can remember what else I wanted to say! LOL!
It might not even happen, but someone told me today she wanted my in the delivery room when she had her baby! Now, her husband is semi-against this ... and I wouldn't want to be in there if he didn't want me there. But, I just truly feel honored! I think giving birth is a very intimate affair.
I know me personally, wouldn't want just anyone in the room with me. And so I feel like if she is saying she wants me to be there for her, to help her get through it all (she is trying for VBAC), well, I feel quite honored. Wow. And in the end, if it doesn't happen, I'm okay with that ... just knowing she was thinking about it makes me feel very special indeed!
Aside from that, today has been, well, a pretty gosh darn boring day frankly LOL! Not too much is going on here - I have finally finished the halloween costumes for the girls - not a moment to soon as the first party is tomorrow. ;-)
At some point today I had other things to type her, but I have been missing my brain all day today. I think it had something to do with babyboy wanting to play last night from about 12:30 to 2:30. Yeah, I'm a bit tired and not really with it right now!
Hopefully by tomorrow I can remember what else I wanted to say! LOL!
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
One more week ...
and October is over.
October is truly a month from hell for me to be quite honest! My dh has to work 7 days a week - on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday I see him when he gets home and then he pretty much goes straight to bed (around 11-11:30pm). The kids only see him those days should they wake up and catch him before he leaves.
It gets rough honestly. I miss my husband. We just don't get much time together during this month and I hate it.
We have decided that next year it can't happen this way ... it's hard to not allow it to happen because he's helping a family business on weekends. And that makes things tricky. And of course, for a while, we needed every extra penny we could get! I used to be doing the same crazy thing - but then it was too hard to find a sitter and get the kids taken care of.
But soon it will be over.
This year, October ending has something else in store for us. Househunting should start up in November. I can not wait. Of course, dh is now saying we might wait a bit - but I told him I will start looking with or without him. We know we need to move. We agree we need to move. We both want to move. I'm not quite sure why he wants to possibly delay it at this point ... but alas, not so much time to talk about it these days ....
But soon it will be November. We've had quite the year this last year ... I can't even believe all that has happened over the course of 2006 so far. And when I really break it down, it's mostly little things. But there were a lot of little things that all added up to be a pretty powerful year for dh and I. I will be anxious to see this year pass, but at the same time it will be bittersweet.
Not only has it been a year for things between dh and I, but our children have grown and changed and surprised us (both good surprises and not so good surprises). I look at my children and am in awe honestly! One year ago today, there were only two of them running around, and now I have this third, amazingly happy, full of giggless and curiousity, constantly exploring, hardly sleeping, already quite opinionated little boy. I know it might sound cheesey, but there is something about bringing babyboy into this family that has really made our family feel complete. I see the girls with him, I see my husband with him, and Iknow how I feel about him - and it is all so wonderful. Don't get me wrong, I love my girls tremendously! Both of them are great and challenge my parenting each day in very different and distinct ways. But this baby, this third surprise blessing came into our family and changed it. Changed it for the better. I think this baby brings out something in each of us that is good for the entire family! Amazing. Wonderfully Amazing.
I am truly blessed to have my family. To have my husband. To have my children. So incredibly blessed.
October is truly a month from hell for me to be quite honest! My dh has to work 7 days a week - on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday I see him when he gets home and then he pretty much goes straight to bed (around 11-11:30pm). The kids only see him those days should they wake up and catch him before he leaves.
It gets rough honestly. I miss my husband. We just don't get much time together during this month and I hate it.
We have decided that next year it can't happen this way ... it's hard to not allow it to happen because he's helping a family business on weekends. And that makes things tricky. And of course, for a while, we needed every extra penny we could get! I used to be doing the same crazy thing - but then it was too hard to find a sitter and get the kids taken care of.
But soon it will be over.
This year, October ending has something else in store for us. Househunting should start up in November. I can not wait. Of course, dh is now saying we might wait a bit - but I told him I will start looking with or without him. We know we need to move. We agree we need to move. We both want to move. I'm not quite sure why he wants to possibly delay it at this point ... but alas, not so much time to talk about it these days ....
But soon it will be November. We've had quite the year this last year ... I can't even believe all that has happened over the course of 2006 so far. And when I really break it down, it's mostly little things. But there were a lot of little things that all added up to be a pretty powerful year for dh and I. I will be anxious to see this year pass, but at the same time it will be bittersweet.
Not only has it been a year for things between dh and I, but our children have grown and changed and surprised us (both good surprises and not so good surprises). I look at my children and am in awe honestly! One year ago today, there were only two of them running around, and now I have this third, amazingly happy, full of giggless and curiousity, constantly exploring, hardly sleeping, already quite opinionated little boy. I know it might sound cheesey, but there is something about bringing babyboy into this family that has really made our family feel complete. I see the girls with him, I see my husband with him, and Iknow how I feel about him - and it is all so wonderful. Don't get me wrong, I love my girls tremendously! Both of them are great and challenge my parenting each day in very different and distinct ways. But this baby, this third surprise blessing came into our family and changed it. Changed it for the better. I think this baby brings out something in each of us that is good for the entire family! Amazing. Wonderfully Amazing.
I am truly blessed to have my family. To have my husband. To have my children. So incredibly blessed.
Monday, October 23, 2006
October is ...
National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
In honor of that, I would like to sahre this link that I stumbled upon yesterday ...
No Room for Contraception.
I wondered at first if it was just one of those fake articles put on the internet to start controversy (which does happen).
It seems that the current thought process is that taking the pill does raise your risk slightly, but most woman are not taking the pill at the time that they are more likely to get breast cancer.
Birth Control Pills: The American Cancer Society says that women currently using the pill may have a slightly increased risk, whereas women who stopped using oral contraceptives 10 years ago probably don't have this risk. Most women who use oral contraceptives take them at a young age, when their risk of breast cancer is very low. from cbs
However, I do feel like I am hearing more and more woman getting diagnosed with breast cancer at younger and younger ages.
My dh also read an article last week that talked about a high rate of false positives in finding breast cancer on the bbc site ... I looked and can't find it so I'm hoping that he will go back and find it for me to share.
Very interesting .... something to think about for sure for me as a woman - my mom had a lump removed (not cancer though) and so it really is on my mind. I wonder if mammograms are really the best way to get checked out. I wonder when I should get my baseline - they say 35 and regularly at 40 ... but is that too late? I keep hearing about people in their early 30's having it.
Just on my mind right now as breastcancer items are everywhere during this NBCAM.
In honor of that, I would like to sahre this link that I stumbled upon yesterday ...
No Room for Contraception.
I wondered at first if it was just one of those fake articles put on the internet to start controversy (which does happen).
It seems that the current thought process is that taking the pill does raise your risk slightly, but most woman are not taking the pill at the time that they are more likely to get breast cancer.
Birth Control Pills: The American Cancer Society says that women currently using the pill may have a slightly increased risk, whereas women who stopped using oral contraceptives 10 years ago probably don't have this risk. Most women who use oral contraceptives take them at a young age, when their risk of breast cancer is very low. from cbs
However, I do feel like I am hearing more and more woman getting diagnosed with breast cancer at younger and younger ages.
My dh also read an article last week that talked about a high rate of false positives in finding breast cancer on the bbc site ... I looked and can't find it so I'm hoping that he will go back and find it for me to share.
Very interesting .... something to think about for sure for me as a woman - my mom had a lump removed (not cancer though) and so it really is on my mind. I wonder if mammograms are really the best way to get checked out. I wonder when I should get my baseline - they say 35 and regularly at 40 ... but is that too late? I keep hearing about people in their early 30's having it.
Just on my mind right now as breastcancer items are everywhere during this NBCAM.
Sunday, October 22, 2006
Home!
I am home now!
I had a nice weekend away, my girls had a WONDERFUL time. I had a good time. Babyboy had a grand time, but a) too many things for him to get into - the main room had 4 sets of stairs off of it and b) didn't sleep so well at all.
I am feeling pretty tired and worn out - but it was worth it =) I'm glad I went and visited with my cousin.
We chatted, watched a movie, I read a book, did like 15 minutes of knitting, talked, had fun, ate, and had a pretty good time.
I would like to go back, but honestly, next time I want to leave the baby home or wait until he is several years older! But, he had the most fun climbing up one set of stairs (about 6 of them to get to the upper level) and amazingly enough, he only fell one time!
The girls, with their new favorite "aunt" K, helped make Mickey Mouse pancakes, chocolate chip cookies, personal sized pizzas, then they got their fingernails AND toenails painted! They were on cloud nine most of the weekend. A was determined to move in there and M promised to visit again real soon. It was very cute =)
And it was a good weekend =)
But I have to say, it is great to be home, and when dh got home from work today, I rushed to hug him. I know it was only 3 days/2 nights, but I missed him sooo much! And was glad to be back with him =)
I had a nice weekend away, my girls had a WONDERFUL time. I had a good time. Babyboy had a grand time, but a) too many things for him to get into - the main room had 4 sets of stairs off of it and b) didn't sleep so well at all.
I am feeling pretty tired and worn out - but it was worth it =) I'm glad I went and visited with my cousin.
We chatted, watched a movie, I read a book, did like 15 minutes of knitting, talked, had fun, ate, and had a pretty good time.
I would like to go back, but honestly, next time I want to leave the baby home or wait until he is several years older! But, he had the most fun climbing up one set of stairs (about 6 of them to get to the upper level) and amazingly enough, he only fell one time!
The girls, with their new favorite "aunt" K, helped make Mickey Mouse pancakes, chocolate chip cookies, personal sized pizzas, then they got their fingernails AND toenails painted! They were on cloud nine most of the weekend. A was determined to move in there and M promised to visit again real soon. It was very cute =)
And it was a good weekend =)
But I have to say, it is great to be home, and when dh got home from work today, I rushed to hug him. I know it was only 3 days/2 nights, but I missed him sooo much! And was glad to be back with him =)
Friday, October 20, 2006
See you later ....
We are about to hop on the road ... I am having a girly weekend with one of my cousins! I haven't gone to her house ever and she only lives a few hours away (2.5 hours according to mapquest). And she moved. I never did go see the last house they owned ... oops!
So we are off to go spend time with her and hopefully have fun. The kids have mixed feelings - oldest is excited, middle is whining since daddy won't be with us, and baby, well, he has no clue what's going on LOL!!!
So, it's a short weekend trip, we'll be back Sunday sometime. And hopefully I will have lots of fun stuff to relate!
So we are off to go spend time with her and hopefully have fun. The kids have mixed feelings - oldest is excited, middle is whining since daddy won't be with us, and baby, well, he has no clue what's going on LOL!!!
So, it's a short weekend trip, we'll be back Sunday sometime. And hopefully I will have lots of fun stuff to relate!
See you later ....
We are about to hop on the road ... I am having a girly weekend with one of my cousins! I haven't gone to her house ever and she only lives a few hours away (2.5 hours according to mapquest). And she moved. I never did go see the last house they owned ... oops!
So we are off to go spend time with her and hopefully have fun. The kids have mixed feelings - oldest is excited, middle is whining since daddy won't be with us, and baby, well, he has no clue what's going on LOL!!!
So, it's a short weekend trip, we'll be back Sunday sometime. And hopefully I will have lots of fun stuff to relate!
So we are off to go spend time with her and hopefully have fun. The kids have mixed feelings - oldest is excited, middle is whining since daddy won't be with us, and baby, well, he has no clue what's going on LOL!!!
So, it's a short weekend trip, we'll be back Sunday sometime. And hopefully I will have lots of fun stuff to relate!
Thursday, October 19, 2006
I don't normal ...
put my children on this website, but I honestly feel this video is SO fun to watch, that I just had to share!!
I will say the best part is from about 24 seconds to the end!
I will say the best part is from about 24 seconds to the end!
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
Why I love ....
comments.
I will tell you all why I love comments - since I've been getting quite a few these days (thanks to Mel)
Here is my list
1. Someone might say they completely understand/agree with what I'm saying. This means I am not the only person in the world who is thinking that and I feel a slightly bit more normal than when I thought I was the only one. It's nice to not feel alone out there ....
2. Someone might say something interesting that makes me think more about what I was talking about than I thought before. Or someone might say something that I hadn't yet thought about and then I'll be thinking again! And I do enjoy thinking (despite the fact that some might argue I don't do it nearly enough LOL!)
3. Someone might disagree and challenge me. I might say, hmm, that's interesting, I need to look into this more. Ultimately my opinion gets strengthened OR an amazing thing might happen. I might say, why, gee, I think I was wrong before! And wa-la, my opinion, my way of thinking has then been changed.
4. I can follow the commenters back to their blogs and then discover some great blog I have not yet discovered! How fun and wonderful (I have added quite a few blogs to my blogroll over the last few days).
And that my friends is why I love comments!
I will tell you all why I love comments - since I've been getting quite a few these days (thanks to Mel)
Here is my list
1. Someone might say they completely understand/agree with what I'm saying. This means I am not the only person in the world who is thinking that and I feel a slightly bit more normal than when I thought I was the only one. It's nice to not feel alone out there ....
2. Someone might say something interesting that makes me think more about what I was talking about than I thought before. Or someone might say something that I hadn't yet thought about and then I'll be thinking again! And I do enjoy thinking (despite the fact that some might argue I don't do it nearly enough LOL!)
3. Someone might disagree and challenge me. I might say, hmm, that's interesting, I need to look into this more. Ultimately my opinion gets strengthened OR an amazing thing might happen. I might say, why, gee, I think I was wrong before! And wa-la, my opinion, my way of thinking has then been changed.
4. I can follow the commenters back to their blogs and then discover some great blog I have not yet discovered! How fun and wonderful (I have added quite a few blogs to my blogroll over the last few days).
And that my friends is why I love comments!
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
100% Content ...
Can you say you are 100% content?
I know I can not honestly say that I am. I'm just not. And I'm not at all about pretending I am. Although, I will admit there was a time when I surely would have lied and said why yes, thank you, I am absolutely content, all the while probably wanting to cry on the inside. But that little gig was not working in my life anymore ....
But I am sitting here and watching Oprah. She is talking to a young Amish couple and they said they were 100% content. Until that point, I wasn't really watching - the tv is on as background noise mostly. But it caught my ear and I had to listen.
I have to say, I'm jealous. I would love to be 100% content with my life, to find peace and comfort. And yet, I'm not. I am maybe 75% content? Maybe?
I am so caught up in the rat race, caught up in wanting more, doing more, being more, being better, being prettier, having more money, more fun, more time, more, more, more, more .... that's the name of the game for me right now. I can look around right now and see SO much excess in my life - mostly excess things. All these things I could easily live without. I can say here, I could live without it, but if someone tried to take them away, I'd list about 183,347,291 reasons as to why I need it. It's silly to think about really. I feel slightly embarrassed even putting it into words here.
And I think to myself "Here's your sign." My sign is apparently saying
Slow down
Stop always looking for more
Savor the now
So if I can learn to do that. And not just say I've learned it, but really truly believe it. Maybe I too can someday say I am 100% content.
How about you? Are you 100% content? How content are you?
I know I can not honestly say that I am. I'm just not. And I'm not at all about pretending I am. Although, I will admit there was a time when I surely would have lied and said why yes, thank you, I am absolutely content, all the while probably wanting to cry on the inside. But that little gig was not working in my life anymore ....
But I am sitting here and watching Oprah. She is talking to a young Amish couple and they said they were 100% content. Until that point, I wasn't really watching - the tv is on as background noise mostly. But it caught my ear and I had to listen.
I have to say, I'm jealous. I would love to be 100% content with my life, to find peace and comfort. And yet, I'm not. I am maybe 75% content? Maybe?
I am so caught up in the rat race, caught up in wanting more, doing more, being more, being better, being prettier, having more money, more fun, more time, more, more, more, more .... that's the name of the game for me right now. I can look around right now and see SO much excess in my life - mostly excess things. All these things I could easily live without. I can say here, I could live without it, but if someone tried to take them away, I'd list about 183,347,291 reasons as to why I need it. It's silly to think about really. I feel slightly embarrassed even putting it into words here.
And I think to myself "Here's your sign." My sign is apparently saying
Slow down
Stop always looking for more
Savor the now
So if I can learn to do that. And not just say I've learned it, but really truly believe it. Maybe I too can someday say I am 100% content.
How about you? Are you 100% content? How content are you?
Wow! Wow! Wow!
Today has been a Wow! kind of day for so many reasons ...
First of all, thanks to all the people coming over from Mel's blog! I read quite a few comments and thought what is going on! All these people here! I wasn't sure what to make of it and then I read her blog and discovered why! Thanks Mel - very kind of you! I love all these comments though, I can't lie! I'm basking in them hehehe
Second of all, a friend confided in me today. Now, I have to say here, I am sorry that she had to confide in me and I'm sorry that she was upset. But I can't really remember the last time someone confided in me. And I have said before that I was excited to feel like I finally had a friend, and now I feel confident in saying I finally have a good friend, no, a great friend. And that is where the second wow! comes in. I have to see that I forsee much better days ahead for her though - and hopefully some day I will be able to link you to a blog for my friend, but as of now, she is blogless (although I do keep trying to get her to start one of these!)
Third of all, I decided to be president of the moms club I am a part of. Which is odd because I don't really do a lot of things with the moms club in general. Hmmm ... seems odd - well it did to my dh. But I decided I had two options - I was either going to leave the moms club or step up and be president. The position has been open for quite some time now - maybe since the start of the year? And the club is just (imo) doing worse and worse. And so in a best case scenario, I can come in, shake things up, get it going again and rejuvinate it. In a worse case scenario, I fall flat on my face, leave the position and let it sit open for half a year again! We'll see what happens ... I'm kind of nervous, but excited as I have ideas for this club and hopefully I will not be the only person who thinks these ideas are good ones!
I think that about wraps up my day here! I'm basically enjoying all the comments - what a nice treat =) While you are leaving those comments, if you could maybe send up some good thoughts/prayers for my blogless friend S. Oh and add in a few words about me not failing on this whole president thing!
First of all, thanks to all the people coming over from Mel's blog! I read quite a few comments and thought what is going on! All these people here! I wasn't sure what to make of it and then I read her blog and discovered why! Thanks Mel - very kind of you! I love all these comments though, I can't lie! I'm basking in them hehehe
Second of all, a friend confided in me today. Now, I have to say here, I am sorry that she had to confide in me and I'm sorry that she was upset. But I can't really remember the last time someone confided in me. And I have said before that I was excited to feel like I finally had a friend, and now I feel confident in saying I finally have a good friend, no, a great friend. And that is where the second wow! comes in. I have to see that I forsee much better days ahead for her though - and hopefully some day I will be able to link you to a blog for my friend, but as of now, she is blogless (although I do keep trying to get her to start one of these!)
Third of all, I decided to be president of the moms club I am a part of. Which is odd because I don't really do a lot of things with the moms club in general. Hmmm ... seems odd - well it did to my dh. But I decided I had two options - I was either going to leave the moms club or step up and be president. The position has been open for quite some time now - maybe since the start of the year? And the club is just (imo) doing worse and worse. And so in a best case scenario, I can come in, shake things up, get it going again and rejuvinate it. In a worse case scenario, I fall flat on my face, leave the position and let it sit open for half a year again! We'll see what happens ... I'm kind of nervous, but excited as I have ideas for this club and hopefully I will not be the only person who thinks these ideas are good ones!
I think that about wraps up my day here! I'm basically enjoying all the comments - what a nice treat =) While you are leaving those comments, if you could maybe send up some good thoughts/prayers for my blogless friend S. Oh and add in a few words about me not failing on this whole president thing!
Monday, October 16, 2006
One thing ...
GO BEARS!!
=)
Added after the original post ....
OMG! HOLY COW! I CAN NOT BELIEVE IT AT ALL!!!!!!
How we pulled that win off I will never ever know, but holy cow, am I happy we won this game. Sorry to Arizona though. I will admit, at half time I had given up all hope. I hung my head in shame ... granny told me to take babyboy out of his Bear's outfit she was not happy with how they were playing. I almost changed the channel in all honesty! But I didn't, and holy cow am I glad I didn't. I only kept the game on so that I couldn't be accused of being a fair-weather friend to my Bears. Wow! I seriously can't believe it! It was amazing. WOW.
On all that note, I sure hope the Offense cleans up it's act for the next game. They did not play well at all - I really don't know how we ended up winning aside from pure LUCK.
=)
Added after the original post ....
OMG! HOLY COW! I CAN NOT BELIEVE IT AT ALL!!!!!!
How we pulled that win off I will never ever know, but holy cow, am I happy we won this game. Sorry to Arizona though. I will admit, at half time I had given up all hope. I hung my head in shame ... granny told me to take babyboy out of his Bear's outfit she was not happy with how they were playing. I almost changed the channel in all honesty! But I didn't, and holy cow am I glad I didn't. I only kept the game on so that I couldn't be accused of being a fair-weather friend to my Bears. Wow! I seriously can't believe it! It was amazing. WOW.
On all that note, I sure hope the Offense cleans up it's act for the next game. They did not play well at all - I really don't know how we ended up winning aside from pure LUCK.
Sunday, October 15, 2006
So. Very. Tired.
I'm so tired today!
I had the kids skip church because I was too tired to get dressed, get in the car and sit in church myself ... I thought if I had to sit, I'd surely fall asleep! LOL! Not exactly what I want to do at church ;-)
And yet, I know I should have gone, should have tried to do more to wake up, but yet, I did not.
And now it's almost 1, and I want to take another nap. :X
I need to start sleeping at night ... I've been pulling some late nights lately - partly due to a baby who doesn't have any clue what "decent bedtime" means and partly because I've been staying awake to accomplish some things that I can't get done during the day with the children running around.
I have to figure out how to achieve some balance around here. There are things that I really want to finish (and other things I need to finish) that I just can't manage to do with the kids running around ... for exaple, Halloween costumes ... I'm not done with either of them, and only have one started. Halloween is soon and next weekend we will be gone all weekend. But babyboy doens't really allow me to run the sewing machine when he's awake. If and when he sleeps during the day, I'm doing school with the others ...
And yet, when I look into my crystal ball, I see that there will be a time where I will have the days free to do things - no baby crawling around after me, hanging on my leg, waiting to be picked up - no girls running around, asking me to solve fights for them, read them stories, look at their latest art work, see how high their newest tower is, help put the tricky dress on the barbie, brush the doll's hair ... and that thought saddens me.
I hope before that day comes though, there is a bit more balance around here ... time for them, time for me, time for my dh, time for us all ...
I had the kids skip church because I was too tired to get dressed, get in the car and sit in church myself ... I thought if I had to sit, I'd surely fall asleep! LOL! Not exactly what I want to do at church ;-)
And yet, I know I should have gone, should have tried to do more to wake up, but yet, I did not.
And now it's almost 1, and I want to take another nap. :X
I need to start sleeping at night ... I've been pulling some late nights lately - partly due to a baby who doesn't have any clue what "decent bedtime" means and partly because I've been staying awake to accomplish some things that I can't get done during the day with the children running around.
I have to figure out how to achieve some balance around here. There are things that I really want to finish (and other things I need to finish) that I just can't manage to do with the kids running around ... for exaple, Halloween costumes ... I'm not done with either of them, and only have one started. Halloween is soon and next weekend we will be gone all weekend. But babyboy doens't really allow me to run the sewing machine when he's awake. If and when he sleeps during the day, I'm doing school with the others ...
And yet, when I look into my crystal ball, I see that there will be a time where I will have the days free to do things - no baby crawling around after me, hanging on my leg, waiting to be picked up - no girls running around, asking me to solve fights for them, read them stories, look at their latest art work, see how high their newest tower is, help put the tricky dress on the barbie, brush the doll's hair ... and that thought saddens me.
I hope before that day comes though, there is a bit more balance around here ... time for them, time for me, time for my dh, time for us all ...
Saturday, October 14, 2006
Perect Major ...
You scored as Sociology. You should be a Sociology major!
What is your Perfect Major? (PLEASE RATE ME!!<3) created with QuizFarm.com |
I took this quiz after seeing it on Sheri's blog and decided to take it too!
I think my results are very interesting to me! When I went to college I thought about doing a psychology or sociology major of some kind ... but was basically set on education as a major.
I look back now and realize that I had grown up with so many people telling me I would be a good teacher and I should be a teacher and teaching was for me, blah, blah, blah ... that even though other areas interested me, I was pretty much set on being a teacher.
One teaching degree later, I don't really think teaching is where I belong truthfully! I wish I could go back to those high school years and take some time to explore other options and really, truly think about what to do in college instead of just accepting I should be a teacher and do that only.
Oh well ... someday, I'll have a chance to start over I think. For now, I'm content to stay home with the children and play teacher with them. =) It's where I want to be now (after actually thinking about it and not just doing what I thought I was supposed to do!).
But I think soon, I will be following the lead of Chef Messy and maybe share some of my pipe dreams ....
Thanks and Sorry!
Thanks for the comments yesterday friends! I really did feel excited to see them (even if it does sound silly LOL!)
And I owe Karen an apology! We have met in real life, and she does read my blog - and I forgot! Sorry Karen! And despite the fact that I said no one I know in real life reads this, I should have said almost no one I know in real life reads this blog is what I should have said yesterday.
Anyway, knowing I have some readers out there will help me stay more consistent and post more and write more! Wouldn't want to break someone heart by having them come here and see no new posts now would I? LOL!!
And I owe Karen an apology! We have met in real life, and she does read my blog - and I forgot! Sorry Karen! And despite the fact that I said no one I know in real life reads this, I should have said almost no one I know in real life reads this blog is what I should have said yesterday.
Anyway, knowing I have some readers out there will help me stay more consistent and post more and write more! Wouldn't want to break someone heart by having them come here and see no new posts now would I? LOL!!
Friday, October 13, 2006
The problem ...
So here's the problem.
I started this blog. I let very few people know the web address. No one I know IRL knows this blog even exists. I wanted it to be private in a sense ... let's be real, there isn't a lot of privacy on putting things on the internet for pretty much anyone who can use the internet to read, but yet, I have a feeling of security because I don't think anyone I can ever come face to face with reads this ...
So herein lies the problem. I still want people to read it - just not people I actually know! Someone jump through the computer and smack me! (you know, all 4 people who visit here each day - most of you finding me lately by linking from Actual Unretouched Photo). I get comments - about twice a month, but I want more comments, more readers, more, more, more!!! Which is a pretty common theme in my life - me wanting more.
I will survive, I will get by, I'll keep writing in this little blog of mine - sharing the good, the bad, the whines, the vents, my thoughts on life around me ... and hopefully all 3-5 people stopping by each day will read for at least 30 seconds before going on to their next read!
I started this blog. I let very few people know the web address. No one I know IRL knows this blog even exists. I wanted it to be private in a sense ... let's be real, there isn't a lot of privacy on putting things on the internet for pretty much anyone who can use the internet to read, but yet, I have a feeling of security because I don't think anyone I can ever come face to face with reads this ...
So herein lies the problem. I still want people to read it - just not people I actually know! Someone jump through the computer and smack me! (you know, all 4 people who visit here each day - most of you finding me lately by linking from Actual Unretouched Photo). I get comments - about twice a month, but I want more comments, more readers, more, more, more!!! Which is a pretty common theme in my life - me wanting more.
I will survive, I will get by, I'll keep writing in this little blog of mine - sharing the good, the bad, the whines, the vents, my thoughts on life around me ... and hopefully all 3-5 people stopping by each day will read for at least 30 seconds before going on to their next read!
Thursday, October 12, 2006
This is why ...
I have issues with the media ... this story.
It is absolutely disgusting ... his family didn't even know yet and the news just announced who it was. Didn't they care? Is that how his family should have learned their son, husband, father had just passed away in a fatal airplane crash? Seriously, WTF is wrong with the media?
This was not a circus folks. It was a tragic accident. But you wouldn't have known that were you watching news coverage of it.
I get that at first it was frightening ... bringing back memories of 9/11 and all that happened that day. I understand why the media jumped on the story initially. But once it was realized it was not yet another terrorist attack, why couldn't they have backed off on it? Why did they have to release the names? Ugh. Makes me sick. I'm sorry that our media thinks more of ratings than of being tasteful, compassionate, and caring. But isn't that what our media has come too? News of celebs make front page headlines, pictures of their babies go for millions of dollars. If you only listened to mainstream new sources, you might think that Americans care more about Hollywood than anything else. It makes me sick. It makes me ill to think that Tom Cruise's baby is more important than war, faminine, starvation, poverty, death ... but welcome to America in the year 2006. We say we want to know. We say we care. But as a country, I don't think we walk the walk ... it's very sad. And the media takes it and runs ......
You know the second they heard it could be a "celebrity" in that crash, news producers must have had orgasms ... thinking yes! a celeb! Keep talking, here's his name, here's his picture, who cares that he was a real live person, ratings baby! Ratings! Run with this story and go! We'll worry about the repurcations later because chances are, no one will probably care that much anyway! This is what the public lives for! Yes! Yes! Rating will be up today ....
Sick. Just sick.
My thoughts and prayers are with his family right now.
It is absolutely disgusting ... his family didn't even know yet and the news just announced who it was. Didn't they care? Is that how his family should have learned their son, husband, father had just passed away in a fatal airplane crash? Seriously, WTF is wrong with the media?
This was not a circus folks. It was a tragic accident. But you wouldn't have known that were you watching news coverage of it.
I get that at first it was frightening ... bringing back memories of 9/11 and all that happened that day. I understand why the media jumped on the story initially. But once it was realized it was not yet another terrorist attack, why couldn't they have backed off on it? Why did they have to release the names? Ugh. Makes me sick. I'm sorry that our media thinks more of ratings than of being tasteful, compassionate, and caring. But isn't that what our media has come too? News of celebs make front page headlines, pictures of their babies go for millions of dollars. If you only listened to mainstream new sources, you might think that Americans care more about Hollywood than anything else. It makes me sick. It makes me ill to think that Tom Cruise's baby is more important than war, faminine, starvation, poverty, death ... but welcome to America in the year 2006. We say we want to know. We say we care. But as a country, I don't think we walk the walk ... it's very sad. And the media takes it and runs ......
You know the second they heard it could be a "celebrity" in that crash, news producers must have had orgasms ... thinking yes! a celeb! Keep talking, here's his name, here's his picture, who cares that he was a real live person, ratings baby! Ratings! Run with this story and go! We'll worry about the repurcations later because chances are, no one will probably care that much anyway! This is what the public lives for! Yes! Yes! Rating will be up today ....
Sick. Just sick.
My thoughts and prayers are with his family right now.
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
Can someone explain to me ...
why it is North Korea can not afford to feed it's people - and people are starving to death in that country due to a very extended drought ... and yet, their government can afford to create and test missiles and most likely they just tested nuclear weapons.
Hmmmm .... I have really thought about this the last few days ... I just don't understand. Do the leaders of the country feel that threatened by the rest of the world that they felt they had to pursue these weapons? Or do they think that they would like to gain more power and that is a way to do it?
I guess I don't get why they allow such a great amount of bad things to happen to the people and use that money to develop weapons that can harm so many.
And really, I have been thinking about this, even though they have it (supposedly anyway - we still don't have complete confirmation that it was a nuclear weapon tested Monday) will they ever use it? I'm thinking it would be about one of the dumbest moves tehy could make, because if you really think about it (and let's hope they are really thinking about it, but I'm also tending to think they are not thinking per my question above) if they did use it, pretty much most of the industrialized countries in the world will rally against them and Pyongyang will be out pretty quickly IMO.
And what will we do about all that has transpired over the last few days? One, sanctions ... which will hurt the country sure, but mostly it will hurt the people in the country who are already hurting, which sucks. And 2, we will be increasingly paranoid about what happens - for example Japan had an earthquake yesterday and the initial thought was North Korea tested another weapon.
It's sad what is happening. And I think at this point, whatever is going to happen probably won't have a happy ending, especially for the people living in North Korea. :-(
Hmmmm .... I have really thought about this the last few days ... I just don't understand. Do the leaders of the country feel that threatened by the rest of the world that they felt they had to pursue these weapons? Or do they think that they would like to gain more power and that is a way to do it?
I guess I don't get why they allow such a great amount of bad things to happen to the people and use that money to develop weapons that can harm so many.
And really, I have been thinking about this, even though they have it (supposedly anyway - we still don't have complete confirmation that it was a nuclear weapon tested Monday) will they ever use it? I'm thinking it would be about one of the dumbest moves tehy could make, because if you really think about it (and let's hope they are really thinking about it, but I'm also tending to think they are not thinking per my question above) if they did use it, pretty much most of the industrialized countries in the world will rally against them and Pyongyang will be out pretty quickly IMO.
And what will we do about all that has transpired over the last few days? One, sanctions ... which will hurt the country sure, but mostly it will hurt the people in the country who are already hurting, which sucks. And 2, we will be increasingly paranoid about what happens - for example Japan had an earthquake yesterday and the initial thought was North Korea tested another weapon.
It's sad what is happening. And I think at this point, whatever is going to happen probably won't have a happy ending, especially for the people living in North Korea. :-(
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
Back ....
We survived the fun weekend! I tell you, Sunday was a bit hard ... we were enjoying ourselves until about 12:30 am and then I was up with the baby a few times and dh woke us up at 6:30. We were on the road home at 7:10! That was definitely not fun at all.
But the wedding was wonderful, the reception was great fun, and the after party was (mostly) a blast.
Only one thing/situation marred the weekend, but I'm trying very hard to forget it even happened and dh is going to take care of those parties that need some talking to about what happened and it is now officially out of my hands. Maybe in the next few days I'll share ... but for now, I'll keep that part of the weekend to myself.
I am so glad we were there and able to help them out. I'm glad we brought the kids, but also brought a babysitter with. The whole weekend was mostly fabulous and fun and a good break from all the things at home. Which was grand for me in all honesty.
Anyway, I'm glad the weekend went so well, and I'm glad to be back home! The basement is put back together now - hooray! And hopefully we will get back into the swing of things around here now.
And finally, yesterday, we went and signed up at the local Y. Yeah! I'm thinking we are going to even go swimming today - it's a blustery 50's outside, but at the Y, the pool temp is 86-88 and the air temp is 88-92. Sounds like a grand idea to me! LOL!
But the wedding was wonderful, the reception was great fun, and the after party was (mostly) a blast.
Only one thing/situation marred the weekend, but I'm trying very hard to forget it even happened and dh is going to take care of those parties that need some talking to about what happened and it is now officially out of my hands. Maybe in the next few days I'll share ... but for now, I'll keep that part of the weekend to myself.
I am so glad we were there and able to help them out. I'm glad we brought the kids, but also brought a babysitter with. The whole weekend was mostly fabulous and fun and a good break from all the things at home. Which was grand for me in all honesty.
Anyway, I'm glad the weekend went so well, and I'm glad to be back home! The basement is put back together now - hooray! And hopefully we will get back into the swing of things around here now.
And finally, yesterday, we went and signed up at the local Y. Yeah! I'm thinking we are going to even go swimming today - it's a blustery 50's outside, but at the Y, the pool temp is 86-88 and the air temp is 88-92. Sounds like a grand idea to me! LOL!
Friday, October 06, 2006
Greetings from ...
Kentucky!
The hotel has free internet access, and well, I had to take advantage of it!
Pretty soon, wireless internet access will be standard for every hotel and my kids will laugh when I tell them when I was growing up I didn't have an e-mail address until high school and no wireless or high speed connections! LOL!
So we had a pretty uneventful drive - kids did super. I took draminine literally moments away from leaving our driveway which knocked me out for over half the drive! Babyboy fussed a bit in the middle, but then was great the rest of the way. So we made it in one piece. The rehersal went pretty well. It was hard for me as I wanted to step in and make suggestions on how to do the ceremony - yeah, so I can be a bit of a control freak at times ;-) But I kept my mouth shut aside from a few points that I thought were pretty important. I told dh maybe when I grow up I might be a wedding planner and wouldn't that be fun. He smiled and said "sure dear" (as pretty much several times a year I proclaim what I will be when I have to enter the workforce after the children are gone! Of course it's always something different! LOL!)
Anyway, the dinner tonight was fun. The girls stayed with sitter and we brought the baby with us (we discovered this am we only have about 7 ounces of milk for him with us so we brought him tonight so we could leave him with bottles tomorrow). He again did super, and we had fun at the dinner as well.
I still can't believe that this wedding is tomorrow! This is my dh's best friend of 25 years - I can't imagine - I've barely been alive for 25 years. But they are great friends, and so by default I have become pretty good friends with groom and friends with bride and so this wedding will be so wonderful tomorrow to witness and be a part of (even if it's just delivering flowers and my husband to the church on time! LOL!)
Well, I still have to hem my dress - nothing like waiting until the last minute, huh?
I can't wait for tomorrow - it will be so fun!
The hotel has free internet access, and well, I had to take advantage of it!
Pretty soon, wireless internet access will be standard for every hotel and my kids will laugh when I tell them when I was growing up I didn't have an e-mail address until high school and no wireless or high speed connections! LOL!
So we had a pretty uneventful drive - kids did super. I took draminine literally moments away from leaving our driveway which knocked me out for over half the drive! Babyboy fussed a bit in the middle, but then was great the rest of the way. So we made it in one piece. The rehersal went pretty well. It was hard for me as I wanted to step in and make suggestions on how to do the ceremony - yeah, so I can be a bit of a control freak at times ;-) But I kept my mouth shut aside from a few points that I thought were pretty important. I told dh maybe when I grow up I might be a wedding planner and wouldn't that be fun. He smiled and said "sure dear" (as pretty much several times a year I proclaim what I will be when I have to enter the workforce after the children are gone! Of course it's always something different! LOL!)
Anyway, the dinner tonight was fun. The girls stayed with sitter and we brought the baby with us (we discovered this am we only have about 7 ounces of milk for him with us so we brought him tonight so we could leave him with bottles tomorrow). He again did super, and we had fun at the dinner as well.
I still can't believe that this wedding is tomorrow! This is my dh's best friend of 25 years - I can't imagine - I've barely been alive for 25 years. But they are great friends, and so by default I have become pretty good friends with groom and friends with bride and so this wedding will be so wonderful tomorrow to witness and be a part of (even if it's just delivering flowers and my husband to the church on time! LOL!)
Well, I still have to hem my dress - nothing like waiting until the last minute, huh?
I can't wait for tomorrow - it will be so fun!
Thankfully ...
I and the children will be leaving for the wedding tomorrow morning as planned originally. And also thankfully, I will not be attending this wedding naked.
First of all - although the children are not 100%, they are better and doc says they are not contagious - so they will be coming with. I did call around to see if someone here could keep them, but it could not be done. I really want to be at that wedding though, so with the doc's okay, we are taking them - which should be okay - they will stay in the hotel room with a sitter while we are out and will come in contact with no one aside from dh, myself, each other and babysitter!
Secondly - might I recommend everyone get a personal shopper? Let me just tell you, she was fabulous! Got my dress on the third try, fit me for a bra, found shoes, and jewelry (and contrary to dh's opinion, she told me I did NOT need to buy a new purse and no necklace was required with my dress, so she did not try to sell me more than I needed nor the most expensive thing in the store). I loved every moment of it. We had some time left so I even asked for her help to get a pair of jeans that fit - and she did! First try! I am so impressed. I hugged her at least twice and told her just how happy I was about everything. And really, if I may be not modest for a moment - I will look absolutely fabulous at the wedding! Yeah! I can't wait to go. Dh asked if all that I did was really necessary. Then I tried it all on for him, and he agreed, that yes, it was necessary and thought I looked fabulous as well! I am so excited ... things always go better when you feel good about how you look, so imo, this wedding should be great fun =)
Anyway, I am glad the kids are healthy. I have the car half-way packed already and 90% of everything else by the door ready to go. (But things like the cooler have to wait til the am) and the kids will want a few last minute items to bring with as well I'm sure.
But I can't wait to get away and go to this wedding ... but right now it is by far too late for me to be awake with what time I have to wake in the am ... so good night and good bye for a few days!
Thanks for sticking with me through all the venting, whining and complaining lately ... it really has been what I'd call some pretty cruddy days around here, but hopefully this is the start of some good days ahead!
First of all - although the children are not 100%, they are better and doc says they are not contagious - so they will be coming with. I did call around to see if someone here could keep them, but it could not be done. I really want to be at that wedding though, so with the doc's okay, we are taking them - which should be okay - they will stay in the hotel room with a sitter while we are out and will come in contact with no one aside from dh, myself, each other and babysitter!
Secondly - might I recommend everyone get a personal shopper? Let me just tell you, she was fabulous! Got my dress on the third try, fit me for a bra, found shoes, and jewelry (and contrary to dh's opinion, she told me I did NOT need to buy a new purse and no necklace was required with my dress, so she did not try to sell me more than I needed nor the most expensive thing in the store). I loved every moment of it. We had some time left so I even asked for her help to get a pair of jeans that fit - and she did! First try! I am so impressed. I hugged her at least twice and told her just how happy I was about everything. And really, if I may be not modest for a moment - I will look absolutely fabulous at the wedding! Yeah! I can't wait to go. Dh asked if all that I did was really necessary. Then I tried it all on for him, and he agreed, that yes, it was necessary and thought I looked fabulous as well! I am so excited ... things always go better when you feel good about how you look, so imo, this wedding should be great fun =)
Anyway, I am glad the kids are healthy. I have the car half-way packed already and 90% of everything else by the door ready to go. (But things like the cooler have to wait til the am) and the kids will want a few last minute items to bring with as well I'm sure.
But I can't wait to get away and go to this wedding ... but right now it is by far too late for me to be awake with what time I have to wake in the am ... so good night and good bye for a few days!
Thanks for sticking with me through all the venting, whining and complaining lately ... it really has been what I'd call some pretty cruddy days around here, but hopefully this is the start of some good days ahead!
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
From bad to worse ...
Now my oldest is puking @@
I. Can't. Take. Much. More.
What's worse is that at this piont I may not be attending this weekend's wedding. I will just cry if it comes down to that. Ugh. It makes me want to be sick just thinking about it.
But, right now I am assuming I will be attending. And I still have nothing to wear! I went and tried on dresses last night, I went tonight. I am going crazy looking for something to wear - and yes. I should have gotten something sooner - however, I wasn't planning on my van being in the shop twice and the kids being sick. I had planned on being all set to go by the end of last week. Oh well. I will take the hand I am delt with. And I made an appointment with a personal shopper at Macy's for tomorrow. Now, I have never had a personal shopper before. I am not quite sure what to expect. Well, okay, I expect her to find me an outfit, shoes and maybe some accessories to go with said outfit. I am NOT having luck looking for something myself, so I decided to get help. Now, I also decided to do it because Macy's offers it at the store near me as a complimentary service. So basically I'm doing it because it's free. And because I asked for help yesterday in several stores. Explained what I was and was not looking for. And had the employees basically bring me exactly what I said I didn't want. And then when I would say "No, I don't really like that dress very much" and you know what, I was brought basically the same dress in another print. "Um, no, I don't like that style" and I was brought basically the same dress in yet another style. "No, really, remember I tried one on like that already and it didn't look very pretty on me at all? I don't want that sort of style." And what did they bring me, pretty much the same dress in another print. Okay. I get it. Stop asking for help and start looking on my own. And then I struck out when looking on my own. Well, we will see what happens tomorrow. And, the truth of the matter is that it might not even matter because I still don't know if I will be attending or not. Which I just might have to break into tears right now when I think about missing the wedding :-(
In other news, basement area is still not back in order, so we are still not schooling. I figure we won't be doing anything until Wednesdayish of next week. I won't even touch the basement tomorrow and :::crossing fingers::: we leave by 9 am Friday and get home Sunday afternoon. Monday we are out pretty much all day, Tuesday we will start to put everything back together which means Wednesday we should be able to resume using the basement as normal. I surely hope so. I miss my basement (and to be honest, I don't love the basement to begin with!). But the basement is our space. And I miss being able to go into our space.
Soon enough ... and hopefully all the kids will get healthy (by tomorrow morning preferably) and we will have a grand weekend at our friends wedding. And then, then I will stop complaining all the time!
I. Can't. Take. Much. More.
What's worse is that at this piont I may not be attending this weekend's wedding. I will just cry if it comes down to that. Ugh. It makes me want to be sick just thinking about it.
But, right now I am assuming I will be attending. And I still have nothing to wear! I went and tried on dresses last night, I went tonight. I am going crazy looking for something to wear - and yes. I should have gotten something sooner - however, I wasn't planning on my van being in the shop twice and the kids being sick. I had planned on being all set to go by the end of last week. Oh well. I will take the hand I am delt with. And I made an appointment with a personal shopper at Macy's for tomorrow. Now, I have never had a personal shopper before. I am not quite sure what to expect. Well, okay, I expect her to find me an outfit, shoes and maybe some accessories to go with said outfit. I am NOT having luck looking for something myself, so I decided to get help. Now, I also decided to do it because Macy's offers it at the store near me as a complimentary service. So basically I'm doing it because it's free. And because I asked for help yesterday in several stores. Explained what I was and was not looking for. And had the employees basically bring me exactly what I said I didn't want. And then when I would say "No, I don't really like that dress very much" and you know what, I was brought basically the same dress in another print. "Um, no, I don't like that style" and I was brought basically the same dress in yet another style. "No, really, remember I tried one on like that already and it didn't look very pretty on me at all? I don't want that sort of style." And what did they bring me, pretty much the same dress in another print. Okay. I get it. Stop asking for help and start looking on my own. And then I struck out when looking on my own. Well, we will see what happens tomorrow. And, the truth of the matter is that it might not even matter because I still don't know if I will be attending or not. Which I just might have to break into tears right now when I think about missing the wedding :-(
In other news, basement area is still not back in order, so we are still not schooling. I figure we won't be doing anything until Wednesdayish of next week. I won't even touch the basement tomorrow and :::crossing fingers::: we leave by 9 am Friday and get home Sunday afternoon. Monday we are out pretty much all day, Tuesday we will start to put everything back together which means Wednesday we should be able to resume using the basement as normal. I surely hope so. I miss my basement (and to be honest, I don't love the basement to begin with!). But the basement is our space. And I miss being able to go into our space.
Soon enough ... and hopefully all the kids will get healthy (by tomorrow morning preferably) and we will have a grand weekend at our friends wedding. And then, then I will stop complaining all the time!
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
When it rains, it pours ...
literally ...
last night it rained and the water poured in our basement. So not fun.
Luckily, we were down there when it started to come in and so we quickly moved things, stacked things, rearranged things, pulled up important things.
Thankfully we didn't take in too much water (unlike earlier this year when we had a few inches of water that we didn't find out about until it had come in all night @@). But it sucks. I have a lot of things that are now lost, hidden and burried in that basement. It will probably take me several weeks to find everything.
And they are calling for more rain late tonight/early tomorrow ... oh yeah.
Anyway, I'm in a pretty not great mood. Kids are still sick. Babyboy still has diarrhea and now he doens't want to sleep. Most of my stuff is inaccesiable, my car is in the shop again, we have a wedding to go to Saturday. I tried on countless numbers of dresses tonight and found not one thing that fit me and looked like it was a) from this decade b)made for someone under the age of 60 and c)had my boobs hanging out.
I know, in the grand scheme of things, it's not that bad. But in my little house, in my little world things are just not going very well at all right now. If I survive until October 31, even I will be impressed with myself.
last night it rained and the water poured in our basement. So not fun.
Luckily, we were down there when it started to come in and so we quickly moved things, stacked things, rearranged things, pulled up important things.
Thankfully we didn't take in too much water (unlike earlier this year when we had a few inches of water that we didn't find out about until it had come in all night @@). But it sucks. I have a lot of things that are now lost, hidden and burried in that basement. It will probably take me several weeks to find everything.
And they are calling for more rain late tonight/early tomorrow ... oh yeah.
Anyway, I'm in a pretty not great mood. Kids are still sick. Babyboy still has diarrhea and now he doens't want to sleep. Most of my stuff is inaccesiable, my car is in the shop again, we have a wedding to go to Saturday. I tried on countless numbers of dresses tonight and found not one thing that fit me and looked like it was a) from this decade b)made for someone under the age of 60 and c)had my boobs hanging out.
I know, in the grand scheme of things, it's not that bad. But in my little house, in my little world things are just not going very well at all right now. If I survive until October 31, even I will be impressed with myself.
Sunday, October 01, 2006
Calgon ..
take me away!
Ugh. I've had a rough day, a rough last few days actually.
Babyboy is not only having his breathing issues, but this am he started to have lovely diarrhea. I've lost count of how many times he and I have changed clothes today.
I just want a break from it all.
However, my dh is working today, yesterday, tomorrow, the next day, etc ....
And since my car was not fixed the first time we took it in, that means I have to take it back in tomorrow which leaves me carless again.
And I have a wedding to attend Saturday - 6 days for those keeping count. I have nothing to wear. And when am I supposed to go shopping? Beats me ... I have no clue at all. I'm feeling very stressed about, well, everything. Usually when I get too stressed dh is great at letting me get away, but he is not doing that for me right now. It's frustrating. I admit, I am bit peeved at him right now - right or wrong, I am.
I am just tired and drained - physically and emotionally drained. I just need to get away for a few minutes, a few precious kidless moments.
Ugh. I've had a rough day, a rough last few days actually.
Babyboy is not only having his breathing issues, but this am he started to have lovely diarrhea. I've lost count of how many times he and I have changed clothes today.
I just want a break from it all.
However, my dh is working today, yesterday, tomorrow, the next day, etc ....
And since my car was not fixed the first time we took it in, that means I have to take it back in tomorrow which leaves me carless again.
And I have a wedding to attend Saturday - 6 days for those keeping count. I have nothing to wear. And when am I supposed to go shopping? Beats me ... I have no clue at all. I'm feeling very stressed about, well, everything. Usually when I get too stressed dh is great at letting me get away, but he is not doing that for me right now. It's frustrating. I admit, I am bit peeved at him right now - right or wrong, I am.
I am just tired and drained - physically and emotionally drained. I just need to get away for a few minutes, a few precious kidless moments.
Saturday, September 30, 2006
Sick of
sickness!
I am so sick of sickness.
Babyboy had to go to the doctor today. It sounded to me like he was wheezing, and yep, he was. So now instead of one medicine twice a day, we have 3 medicines to take twice a day. Here's hoping he gets over it pretty quickly.
I had hoped that this winter might go a bit smoother than last winter health-wise for him, but if this is any indication of how it might go, well, we are in for a long winter full of many many breathing treatments.
So, having a sick baby and a husband who won't be home tomorrow as he's working, means no church. And you know what, I was looking forward to going to church. Me! I wanted to be there tomorrow. I'm so bummed. I've thought about going but not taking him to the nursery and sitting outside of the actual chapel, but where I could still listen, but you know, it's not fair to whomever may pass us by at the exact moment babyboy decides to cough. So alas, we will be staying home tomorrow morning and not going to church. I admit I'm sad, but I also know they will be offering the sermon on CD the next week, so that makes me feel much better. I can listen, even if it's just a recorded copy, I can still hear the message - which is about terrorism so I'm very curious to hear this particular message and what they will say about that topic!
In other news I am on a quest to reorganize all our junk in the basement. I am going this week to buy storage bins. I will sort, organize and repack everything very nicely. Dh says we have too many things (which is true) and there isn't enough room for the things we have (which is also true with how things are now). But I think if I reorganize and in the process get rid of a few things that I think I can part with, that we will be okay and dh won't make me take a bunch of things to storage ::crossing fingers::
And I'm also parting with baby things we have .... that we will sadly never need again. So that will free up space, but at the same time, it does kind of break my heart! Oh well, no more babies for me, but many more great memories to be made with my children as they grow, change, mature, and turn into fabulous adults!
I am so sick of sickness.
Babyboy had to go to the doctor today. It sounded to me like he was wheezing, and yep, he was. So now instead of one medicine twice a day, we have 3 medicines to take twice a day. Here's hoping he gets over it pretty quickly.
I had hoped that this winter might go a bit smoother than last winter health-wise for him, but if this is any indication of how it might go, well, we are in for a long winter full of many many breathing treatments.
So, having a sick baby and a husband who won't be home tomorrow as he's working, means no church. And you know what, I was looking forward to going to church. Me! I wanted to be there tomorrow. I'm so bummed. I've thought about going but not taking him to the nursery and sitting outside of the actual chapel, but where I could still listen, but you know, it's not fair to whomever may pass us by at the exact moment babyboy decides to cough. So alas, we will be staying home tomorrow morning and not going to church. I admit I'm sad, but I also know they will be offering the sermon on CD the next week, so that makes me feel much better. I can listen, even if it's just a recorded copy, I can still hear the message - which is about terrorism so I'm very curious to hear this particular message and what they will say about that topic!
In other news I am on a quest to reorganize all our junk in the basement. I am going this week to buy storage bins. I will sort, organize and repack everything very nicely. Dh says we have too many things (which is true) and there isn't enough room for the things we have (which is also true with how things are now). But I think if I reorganize and in the process get rid of a few things that I think I can part with, that we will be okay and dh won't make me take a bunch of things to storage ::crossing fingers::
And I'm also parting with baby things we have .... that we will sadly never need again. So that will free up space, but at the same time, it does kind of break my heart! Oh well, no more babies for me, but many more great memories to be made with my children as they grow, change, mature, and turn into fabulous adults!
Friday, September 29, 2006
Time waster ....
So I found this game today: Escapa and had to get over 18 seconds.
After a few minutes of playing I hit 19.675 seconds. Yeah. Now the world will continue to revolve! (My average is 11-13 seconds).
So, have some time to waste, go give it a try!
After a few minutes of playing I hit 19.675 seconds. Yeah. Now the world will continue to revolve! (My average is 11-13 seconds).
So, have some time to waste, go give it a try!
Thursday, September 28, 2006
From bad to worse ...
So things went from bad to worse today. Why does it seem like that is the current trend these days? I don't know ...
Anyway, babyboy was playing in the kitchen with his favorite toy, his great-granny's walker. Granny was in the kitchen working on dinner. This happens generally twice a day - during lunch and dinner. I used to pull him out asap but granny always said he was fine, there were no problems, etc, etc. So I became lax. I sat back. I let him play. I slowly hovered around less and less.
So what do you think happens today? I bet you can guess where this is going ....
babyboy pushed the walker, walker bumped an unsteady granny and down went granny. Falling backwards hitting her head on the fridge, knocking the walker back into babyboy. Babyboy immediately starts to scream.
Myself, grandpa and cousin all at the kitchen table about 7 feet away jump up and go to her.
It was surreal. I mean we were there. We watched it - it seemed so slow, but yet, it happened in an instant.
I feel like complete and utter shit and crap. I knew it was going to happen. I told dh more than once, one of these days granny is going to trip over babyboy or one of the toys or something. She's going to fall and it's going to be because of us.
And it happened.
Granny says she is fine, has a knot on her head, but is fine otherwise. Babyboy stopped crying pretty quickly. So, it could have been a lot worse. I get that - because my dh keeps telling me that over and over. But if we weren't here, it wouldn't have happened at all. Ugh. I feel so awful.
I am ready to move right now. I don't want her to fall again. I don't - she doesn't need to be worrying about that kind of thing.
I guess from now on, I will NOT let him in there when she is in there - I won't (and I know she'll say I'm over-reacting and it's fine, really, but really, it's not fine). And I will be more diligent. I will not let my guard down again.
Here's praying granny doens't wake up in the morning with a huge headache. Because that's what I'm afraid will happen :-(
Anyway, babyboy was playing in the kitchen with his favorite toy, his great-granny's walker. Granny was in the kitchen working on dinner. This happens generally twice a day - during lunch and dinner. I used to pull him out asap but granny always said he was fine, there were no problems, etc, etc. So I became lax. I sat back. I let him play. I slowly hovered around less and less.
So what do you think happens today? I bet you can guess where this is going ....
babyboy pushed the walker, walker bumped an unsteady granny and down went granny. Falling backwards hitting her head on the fridge, knocking the walker back into babyboy. Babyboy immediately starts to scream.
Myself, grandpa and cousin all at the kitchen table about 7 feet away jump up and go to her.
It was surreal. I mean we were there. We watched it - it seemed so slow, but yet, it happened in an instant.
I feel like complete and utter shit and crap. I knew it was going to happen. I told dh more than once, one of these days granny is going to trip over babyboy or one of the toys or something. She's going to fall and it's going to be because of us.
And it happened.
Granny says she is fine, has a knot on her head, but is fine otherwise. Babyboy stopped crying pretty quickly. So, it could have been a lot worse. I get that - because my dh keeps telling me that over and over. But if we weren't here, it wouldn't have happened at all. Ugh. I feel so awful.
I am ready to move right now. I don't want her to fall again. I don't - she doesn't need to be worrying about that kind of thing.
I guess from now on, I will NOT let him in there when she is in there - I won't (and I know she'll say I'm over-reacting and it's fine, really, but really, it's not fine). And I will be more diligent. I will not let my guard down again.
Here's praying granny doens't wake up in the morning with a huge headache. Because that's what I'm afraid will happen :-(
Day 4 ...
of sick kids ...
today, well actually about 1:30 am this morning, we realized babyboy was next up on the sick list.
Poor kid had trouble breathing and woke up a ton and is running a bit of a fever currently.
He is positively miserable ... and just wants someone to be holding him, craddling him, loving him, pretty much 100% of the time.
Poor guy. But my oldest seems to be okay ... so it was about a 48 hour thing for her, and here's hoping it's about 48 hours for babyboy. And also hoping it hits neither myself nor dh.
today, well actually about 1:30 am this morning, we realized babyboy was next up on the sick list.
Poor kid had trouble breathing and woke up a ton and is running a bit of a fever currently.
He is positively miserable ... and just wants someone to be holding him, craddling him, loving him, pretty much 100% of the time.
Poor guy. But my oldest seems to be okay ... so it was about a 48 hour thing for her, and here's hoping it's about 48 hours for babyboy. And also hoping it hits neither myself nor dh.
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
Bummer ...
My other dd is sick now ... fever, cough, tired, the whole works.
And babyboy is sounding very stuffy ... so I'm guessing he will be next.
::sigh::
Needless to say, we are taking a few days off this week from school. Eh, we'll do some weekends while dh is working to make the time pass and it will be evened out soon enough.
I still need to find a language arts program. I know which one I am leaning towards, but I'm going to try to get out to a store to see what I can see and buy something in person and not over the internet. I just feel more confident when I can see things as opposed to just ordering them. So a few days break now won't be so bad in the long run.
Anyway, off to nurse the sicklings. Poor things! My oldest, who rarely ever sits still is now on day 2 of cuddled under the blanket on the recliner just hanging out. It's how I can guage how sick she is - by how much she stops bouncing around!
And babyboy is sounding very stuffy ... so I'm guessing he will be next.
::sigh::
Needless to say, we are taking a few days off this week from school. Eh, we'll do some weekends while dh is working to make the time pass and it will be evened out soon enough.
I still need to find a language arts program. I know which one I am leaning towards, but I'm going to try to get out to a store to see what I can see and buy something in person and not over the internet. I just feel more confident when I can see things as opposed to just ordering them. So a few days break now won't be so bad in the long run.
Anyway, off to nurse the sicklings. Poor things! My oldest, who rarely ever sits still is now on day 2 of cuddled under the blanket on the recliner just hanging out. It's how I can guage how sick she is - by how much she stops bouncing around!
Monday, September 25, 2006
You can ...
Please all of the people some of the time, please some of the people all the time. But you can't please all of the people all of the time ... so the saying goes, but I'm learning you can't please some people ever. You can't do it. Don't try.
No matter what you say or do, it's wrong or bad or must be stupid. They question your every statement, every movement and make you feel like an idiot should you actually have to ask a question of them! As if you don't know it all, which apparently they do.
Oh well ... such is life ... I will survive ... just going to have to learn to let things roll off my back!
In other news ... my car is broke :( And it's at the shop. And I miss it. :-(
My dd is sick and that's never any fun to deal with. She doens't actually feel bad, but well, she is having stomach issues and it's not making her throw up. But in between rushing to the bathroom she's dancing and running around like nothing's wrong! Which, I'm glad she is feeling okay despite whatever else is going on.
I can't believe Sunday it will be October. When in the world did October get here? I am so not ready for fall to be here and October to be here! I wish I could just freeze everything around me or gain one extra hour each day! What I could do with one extra hour - I should say, one extra kid free hour! LOL!
Anyway, I guess tomorrow and probably Wednesday we will just be hanging out around the house and waiting for the car to be all better.
No matter what you say or do, it's wrong or bad or must be stupid. They question your every statement, every movement and make you feel like an idiot should you actually have to ask a question of them! As if you don't know it all, which apparently they do.
Oh well ... such is life ... I will survive ... just going to have to learn to let things roll off my back!
In other news ... my car is broke :( And it's at the shop. And I miss it. :-(
My dd is sick and that's never any fun to deal with. She doens't actually feel bad, but well, she is having stomach issues and it's not making her throw up. But in between rushing to the bathroom she's dancing and running around like nothing's wrong! Which, I'm glad she is feeling okay despite whatever else is going on.
I can't believe Sunday it will be October. When in the world did October get here? I am so not ready for fall to be here and October to be here! I wish I could just freeze everything around me or gain one extra hour each day! What I could do with one extra hour - I should say, one extra kid free hour! LOL!
Anyway, I guess tomorrow and probably Wednesday we will just be hanging out around the house and waiting for the car to be all better.
Saturday, September 23, 2006
Church ...
So even though 2 years ago I promised to find a church to attend, I have not yet. I tried once and went to one I didn't like. And then sort of gave up ...
But my children, my children have been going to church with their Aunt. They love the church they go to. They also go to Awana there.
They have been going, and I haven't been the one to take them.
Well, last week I took them to church.
And let me tell you, I was glad I did!
The church had a special speaker in, Dr. Michael Rydelnic and he spoke about the situation in Isreal. Very interesting to say the least. It was part one of a 2 part sermon, so tomorrow I will be going back with the kids and listening intently to what he is saying.
And I think I will be going back next week. I will be interested to hear the actual pastor speak and get a feel that way.
Although, (and there is always an although), they have for this year completely revamped their Sunday School program. Instead of doing Sunday school they are doing something called adventure club. It is sort of like Vacation Bible School each Sunday - the kids all start together, then split off and do craft, game, story, snack, and back all together.
The catch is, around here Vacation Bible School is usually about 3 hours long. Sunday School is 1.5 hours long.
My 6 year old came home last week and told me they didn't really talk about the Bible or God. They did an art project, played a game, some kids were given candy for the points they had last week, and it was time to go home. Hmmmm ... now, it could be she wasn't listening. I thought that was surely the issue, but another child told me the same thing.
My aunt says they are still trying to work out the kinks and figure out how to make this work (last week was the second week) and so we'll see ....
The other issue I have is this new point system. The kids get points for coming, bringing donations, bringing friends, doing work they are sent home with, etc, etc. They get candy based on how many points they had the previous week. I do NOT like this. I do not want my child to think she has to do things to get candy and points.
Hmmmm .... I will have to see how tomorrow goes. I will have to see what she says and what I can feel out from others about it.
But I don't know ... wouldn't it be terrible if I decided I enjoyed the adult church service, but really didn't like what was going on with the Sunday school program?
:::crossing fingers::: that last week wasn't how it will always be.
But my children, my children have been going to church with their Aunt. They love the church they go to. They also go to Awana there.
They have been going, and I haven't been the one to take them.
Well, last week I took them to church.
And let me tell you, I was glad I did!
The church had a special speaker in, Dr. Michael Rydelnic and he spoke about the situation in Isreal. Very interesting to say the least. It was part one of a 2 part sermon, so tomorrow I will be going back with the kids and listening intently to what he is saying.
And I think I will be going back next week. I will be interested to hear the actual pastor speak and get a feel that way.
Although, (and there is always an although), they have for this year completely revamped their Sunday School program. Instead of doing Sunday school they are doing something called adventure club. It is sort of like Vacation Bible School each Sunday - the kids all start together, then split off and do craft, game, story, snack, and back all together.
The catch is, around here Vacation Bible School is usually about 3 hours long. Sunday School is 1.5 hours long.
My 6 year old came home last week and told me they didn't really talk about the Bible or God. They did an art project, played a game, some kids were given candy for the points they had last week, and it was time to go home. Hmmmm ... now, it could be she wasn't listening. I thought that was surely the issue, but another child told me the same thing.
My aunt says they are still trying to work out the kinks and figure out how to make this work (last week was the second week) and so we'll see ....
The other issue I have is this new point system. The kids get points for coming, bringing donations, bringing friends, doing work they are sent home with, etc, etc. They get candy based on how many points they had the previous week. I do NOT like this. I do not want my child to think she has to do things to get candy and points.
Hmmmm .... I will have to see how tomorrow goes. I will have to see what she says and what I can feel out from others about it.
But I don't know ... wouldn't it be terrible if I decided I enjoyed the adult church service, but really didn't like what was going on with the Sunday school program?
:::crossing fingers::: that last week wasn't how it will always be.
Thursday, September 21, 2006
Current Events ...
So, yesterday I was flipping through the channels, when I happen to catch Hugo Chavez speaking to the UN. And I stopped when I really registered what he was saying.
I admit. I was sat there in shock, in awe. The words he was saying were powerful to me - saying the US was on it's way down and will be done soon. I also caught the bit about the UN needing to be replaced with a different organization. And he kept talking about smelling sulfur!
[then the kids interrupted and I only read today about him calling Bush a devil].
I was so blown away by what he was saying ....
And apparently it has blown everyone else away too because it's all over the TV today (although I would like to note, I could not find any information about the story in my paper today but I did only get to glance through it quickly while the kids were eating breakfast, but I live by Chicago and I expected to see something. I will go back later and look again and see what I can find).
So today I have seen people say things like we need to stop using Citgo gas, since it is owned and operated by Venzuela and we don't want our money going there (of course, boycotting them has been something people have been calling for prior to the speech, but it's gaining ground now) and I've heard that only Americans should be allowed to criticize Bush, and I've also heard that his comments were "not becoming for a head of state," and blah blah blah.
But let's just stop and think for one minute.
Is calling someone a devil worse than calling people evil? Or accusing countries of being part of the Axis of Evil? I don't know ... certainly I want to say, yes! Of course it is! We are better than they are! But are we really? It certainly makes me want to stop and think.
And really, can only Americans criticize Bush? If that's the case, then we as Americans certainyl must stop criticizing other countryies' leaders as well, correct? Which means we should say nothing about Iran or North Korea or heck, for that matter, apparently we can say nothing about Saddam Hussein. Afterall, we do not live in Iran or North Korea or Iraq.
Or maybe that was the point of all of Chavez's speech ... we have one set of rules for us and another set for the rest of the world. Is that fair of us to do? Well, the toddler in me says no way! It's not fair ... if he gets to do it, I get to do it too!!
Let me state this very clearly though, I do NOT agree with what Chavez said or the way he went about doing it.
And yet, we are reacting as if we have never done any name calling of our own. Or that we have never criticized other countries.
Are we over-reacting? Do we as a nation hold other nations to different standards than what we feel we should follow?
I guess it's all food for thought .....
That aside, I do not like what Chazev is doing in his own country and I do not particularly care for him as a leader. But I think we have bigger concerns right now rather than worrying about his criticism of the US, Maybe I'm off base here.
I admit. I was sat there in shock, in awe. The words he was saying were powerful to me - saying the US was on it's way down and will be done soon. I also caught the bit about the UN needing to be replaced with a different organization. And he kept talking about smelling sulfur!
[then the kids interrupted and I only read today about him calling Bush a devil].
I was so blown away by what he was saying ....
And apparently it has blown everyone else away too because it's all over the TV today (although I would like to note, I could not find any information about the story in my paper today but I did only get to glance through it quickly while the kids were eating breakfast, but I live by Chicago and I expected to see something. I will go back later and look again and see what I can find).
So today I have seen people say things like we need to stop using Citgo gas, since it is owned and operated by Venzuela and we don't want our money going there (of course, boycotting them has been something people have been calling for prior to the speech, but it's gaining ground now) and I've heard that only Americans should be allowed to criticize Bush, and I've also heard that his comments were "not becoming for a head of state," and blah blah blah.
But let's just stop and think for one minute.
Is calling someone a devil worse than calling people evil? Or accusing countries of being part of the Axis of Evil? I don't know ... certainly I want to say, yes! Of course it is! We are better than they are! But are we really? It certainly makes me want to stop and think.
And really, can only Americans criticize Bush? If that's the case, then we as Americans certainyl must stop criticizing other countryies' leaders as well, correct? Which means we should say nothing about Iran or North Korea or heck, for that matter, apparently we can say nothing about Saddam Hussein. Afterall, we do not live in Iran or North Korea or Iraq.
Or maybe that was the point of all of Chavez's speech ... we have one set of rules for us and another set for the rest of the world. Is that fair of us to do? Well, the toddler in me says no way! It's not fair ... if he gets to do it, I get to do it too!!
Let me state this very clearly though, I do NOT agree with what Chavez said or the way he went about doing it.
And yet, we are reacting as if we have never done any name calling of our own. Or that we have never criticized other countries.
Are we over-reacting? Do we as a nation hold other nations to different standards than what we feel we should follow?
I guess it's all food for thought .....
That aside, I do not like what Chazev is doing in his own country and I do not particularly care for him as a leader. But I think we have bigger concerns right now rather than worrying about his criticism of the US, Maybe I'm off base here.
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
Did you miss me?
Probably not, but I'm back.
I didn't even get to take a break for anything fun ... just trying to do life things. Busy with the kids, with the house, etc, etc.
Just trying to keep up with life and right now we seem to be stuck in a busy period of life.
Oh well, this will pass and I will find a moment to breath. I'm assuming that will happen once either a)babyboy stops getting into trouble about every 2 minutes or b) we get our own house and I can actually babyproof and not have 95% of everything in his reach be things he isn't allowed to touch.
Babyboy certainly gives me plenty of exercise each day just from chasing him and running around and keeping him out of everything he is not allowed to touch.
My oldest has been throwing me for a loop the last 2 days. She is declaring school "boring" and I'm "mean." Eh, okay. It bothered me yesterday, we had these long drawn out talks about attitude and learning and was she really bored with school (she threw a fit because she found out a show she liked was on tv @@). So it was a long day - emotionally taxing.
So today she was about to start the same thing and I just said, fine throw your fit in your room. Come out when it's over. She is a month from 7, no way should she be throwing fits like that. And amazingly enough, after a minute it was done. Phew. So hopefully tomorrow there will be no fits at all. I mean, really, I do try to make school really fun and let her run around and move as much as possible.
Someday I hope she'll know that I did try my hardest to keep school fun and exciting for her.
On other school news, my 4 year old has been writing letters lately and then asking me what they spell. What is important to note here is that 1) we don't practice the alphabet with her (those of you that think all kids at 4 should know the alphabet may now pick their jaws up off the floor) and 2) We've never taught her to write any letters either. And yet, she is doing it, on her own and learning it just from books we read, hearing her big sister, talking to us and playing and having fun. So, there was a reason I didn't feel the need to sit down and purposefully work on the alphabet with her. She was just learning it from the surroundings we've created in the house.
Yes, I do feel proud of her.
I am thinking now we will start to do some activities with her. She is desiring it now - asking us to "read" what she writes, she asking how to do things, and very interested in what's going on around here. So that's my sign. She is ready for a bump up in what we do. And so now I will have to add that to my pile of things to accomplish around here each day LOL!!!
Someday I will come back and talk about news and current events. There is so much going on right now. I am trying desperately to keep up with it all as well as make sense of it all. Someday I will come and try to talk about it. Someday ... but for now my children are calling me back to the land of motherhood and out of the land of blogging!
I didn't even get to take a break for anything fun ... just trying to do life things. Busy with the kids, with the house, etc, etc.
Just trying to keep up with life and right now we seem to be stuck in a busy period of life.
Oh well, this will pass and I will find a moment to breath. I'm assuming that will happen once either a)babyboy stops getting into trouble about every 2 minutes or b) we get our own house and I can actually babyproof and not have 95% of everything in his reach be things he isn't allowed to touch.
Babyboy certainly gives me plenty of exercise each day just from chasing him and running around and keeping him out of everything he is not allowed to touch.
My oldest has been throwing me for a loop the last 2 days. She is declaring school "boring" and I'm "mean." Eh, okay. It bothered me yesterday, we had these long drawn out talks about attitude and learning and was she really bored with school (she threw a fit because she found out a show she liked was on tv @@). So it was a long day - emotionally taxing.
So today she was about to start the same thing and I just said, fine throw your fit in your room. Come out when it's over. She is a month from 7, no way should she be throwing fits like that. And amazingly enough, after a minute it was done. Phew. So hopefully tomorrow there will be no fits at all. I mean, really, I do try to make school really fun and let her run around and move as much as possible.
Someday I hope she'll know that I did try my hardest to keep school fun and exciting for her.
On other school news, my 4 year old has been writing letters lately and then asking me what they spell. What is important to note here is that 1) we don't practice the alphabet with her (those of you that think all kids at 4 should know the alphabet may now pick their jaws up off the floor) and 2) We've never taught her to write any letters either. And yet, she is doing it, on her own and learning it just from books we read, hearing her big sister, talking to us and playing and having fun. So, there was a reason I didn't feel the need to sit down and purposefully work on the alphabet with her. She was just learning it from the surroundings we've created in the house.
Yes, I do feel proud of her.
I am thinking now we will start to do some activities with her. She is desiring it now - asking us to "read" what she writes, she asking how to do things, and very interested in what's going on around here. So that's my sign. She is ready for a bump up in what we do. And so now I will have to add that to my pile of things to accomplish around here each day LOL!!!
Someday I will come back and talk about news and current events. There is so much going on right now. I am trying desperately to keep up with it all as well as make sense of it all. Someday I will come and try to talk about it. Someday ... but for now my children are calling me back to the land of motherhood and out of the land of blogging!
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
Finally ....
we have some answers regarding my newly turned 4 year old.
We've struggled with some issues we noticed for a long time ... even as an infant, she was slow to lift her head, slow to move, slow to do anything at all .... after a doctor change, several evaluations she recieved therapy through Early Intervention. She was graduated from the program at 3 (because the program ends at 3 and her therapists all thought she was doing well).
Well, she was doing well, well so we kind of I think tricked ourselves into thinking.
So, we booked the appointment with the neuorologist, at the request and prompting of her foot doctor. Dh and I really were surprised at first when foot doc recommended this, but then we thought about it, and yes, there are things still going on! And she had come so far I think we were willing to overlook what was still there.
Then we started to notice things became more prominently over the summer and were glad we had the appointment.
Anyway, today was said appointment. I am so glad we went. The doctor was fabulous. Really listened to our concerns, took us seriously, and has come up with what I feel pretty sure describes her.
He did agree that she is an intelligent child and probably seems like everyone else most of the time. But when we started to look at some behaviors more closely, he agreed, things were not right. He then explained most kids are diagnosed by checklists - checklists for ADHD or for Autism, etc ... you can just go down the list, check off symptoms and spot quickly what is going on. He said my daughter is NOT a typical case, nor could her issues really be spotted on checklists used by most doctors. Yeah, we figured she was not a "typical" anything!
First he thinks she has Nonverbal Learning Disorder (NLD). I have only looked at a few sites on it, but it has me going, yep, uh-huh, that's her, oh yes, that's her too! I feel very confident that this may in fact be a large part of what is going on with her.
He also thinks she may have word finding difficulties. Apparently this is extremely rare in anyone under the age of 8 (in fact when I tried to find out more about it tonight on-line I was only able to find information for kids 6 and over!). So, she will have a full blown speech evaluation to really try to pinpoint if that is what is going on with her speech.
We will also go out for an EEG to make sure there isn't anything going on in her brain that could be causing any of these issues.
I feel glad to finally have someone say here's what going on with her, here's what we do. It's very helpful to 1)know I'm not crazy, there are things going on with her and 2)we have probably identified the issue and have a plan in place to deal with it now.
Yeah! We have a plan to follow now. Although I admit, I am dreading doing an EEG with her. We are going to do it at a children's hospital and he said they are pros at getting hesitant children to do it. So, hopefully it will all work out in the end.
We've struggled with some issues we noticed for a long time ... even as an infant, she was slow to lift her head, slow to move, slow to do anything at all .... after a doctor change, several evaluations she recieved therapy through Early Intervention. She was graduated from the program at 3 (because the program ends at 3 and her therapists all thought she was doing well).
Well, she was doing well, well so we kind of I think tricked ourselves into thinking.
So, we booked the appointment with the neuorologist, at the request and prompting of her foot doctor. Dh and I really were surprised at first when foot doc recommended this, but then we thought about it, and yes, there are things still going on! And she had come so far I think we were willing to overlook what was still there.
Then we started to notice things became more prominently over the summer and were glad we had the appointment.
Anyway, today was said appointment. I am so glad we went. The doctor was fabulous. Really listened to our concerns, took us seriously, and has come up with what I feel pretty sure describes her.
He did agree that she is an intelligent child and probably seems like everyone else most of the time. But when we started to look at some behaviors more closely, he agreed, things were not right. He then explained most kids are diagnosed by checklists - checklists for ADHD or for Autism, etc ... you can just go down the list, check off symptoms and spot quickly what is going on. He said my daughter is NOT a typical case, nor could her issues really be spotted on checklists used by most doctors. Yeah, we figured she was not a "typical" anything!
First he thinks she has Nonverbal Learning Disorder (NLD). I have only looked at a few sites on it, but it has me going, yep, uh-huh, that's her, oh yes, that's her too! I feel very confident that this may in fact be a large part of what is going on with her.
He also thinks she may have word finding difficulties. Apparently this is extremely rare in anyone under the age of 8 (in fact when I tried to find out more about it tonight on-line I was only able to find information for kids 6 and over!). So, she will have a full blown speech evaluation to really try to pinpoint if that is what is going on with her speech.
We will also go out for an EEG to make sure there isn't anything going on in her brain that could be causing any of these issues.
I feel glad to finally have someone say here's what going on with her, here's what we do. It's very helpful to 1)know I'm not crazy, there are things going on with her and 2)we have probably identified the issue and have a plan in place to deal with it now.
Yeah! We have a plan to follow now. Although I admit, I am dreading doing an EEG with her. We are going to do it at a children's hospital and he said they are pros at getting hesitant children to do it. So, hopefully it will all work out in the end.
Monday, September 11, 2006
Sad day with some brightness sprinkled in ...
I did not handle 9/11/01 very well at all. It scared me significantly and really shook me up a lot. Frankly today, I didn't really watch any of the coverage of it, I didn't watch any of the news channels that replayed the original 9/11 coverage. I had no intention of listening to it on the radio.
I did listen to part fo it on the radio - unintentionally. Dh last drove my car and put it on a serious news station. I get in, expecting my top 40 music station, and hear "traffic is just backed up, at a standstill. People are panicked and worried, blah, blah ..." and immediately thought Oh no! It's happening again! Why? Why? Jacked up the volume and listened for about 5 mintues before I realized they were replaying original coverage. BIG sigh of relief and a quick change of the station. I still can't believe what happened 5 years ago. Nor do I fully understand it. I mean, I get other places do not agree with America and Americans and things our country has done, but to take planes into buildings and kill that many people, no, I'll never understand it. I just won't.
Moving on ...
my dd started her classes today at our co-op. She had a great day. I had a not so great day. While she is in classes, we basically sit in a big gym. Half the gym has tables and chairs, the other half is left open for children to run around, play basketball, etc, etc. Combine this environment with curious 9 month old and what do you get? Trouble! LOL! But I am surprised to say he only got hit with a basketball once and tripped over once (I surely thought it would happen a few more times than that honestly). But basically this meant aside from when he nursed (3 sessions at about 5 minutes each because really, how could I expect him to eat with all that going on) and he did fall asleep finally about 20 minutes before we left ... I did not sit for 4 hours. I chased him up and down, and held him and walked until he wriggled out, and followed him, and made sure he didnt' get bopped with balls, stepped on, or start unpacking other peoples bags, coolers, etc, etc. I am worn out. I do not know how I will survie a year of this. In the future it will get worse before it gets better because tonight little man took his very first steps. On the day he turned 9 months old, he took his first steps. So now I will be chasing a shaking toddler among kids, balls, bags, adults, tables and chairs. Oh. Joy. I. Can't. Wait.
However my 6 year old LOVES her classes. 2 of them she took last year, and has the same teachers so she knew she would love it. But she also requested Spanish. And today it began. She liked it a lot. She couldnt' remember any words when she left class except that rojo was red, but hey, it's a start!
So we came home, where upon little man continued to sleep (crawling around for 3 1/2 hours surely wore him out as he took the longest nap I can remember him ever taking coming in at 2 hours 20 minutes) which meant I also took a nap!
Then it was off to 6 year olds first day of basketball. At first she didn't want to sign-up ... I pushed the issue, she resisted. I saw the error of my ways and told her that if she didn't want to go I wouldn't make her so I wouldn't sign her up (and I did it geniuenly not as some reverse pyschology trick). She heard that and cried abotu how she really wanted to go and I was so mean to not sign her up! 6 year olds! Crazy ... so we did sign up and turns out she truely loved her first day. 6 boys, 2 girls. Her and the girl kind of became instant buddies =) WOnderful for her!
My now 4 year old all day told everyone she turned 4 last night at her birthday party (cute how she thinks she turned 4 at the party so I guess it's a good thing we had one and on the actually birthday to boot!) She saw some old friends from the co-op last year and had fun catching up with them. While her sister was in basketball, her and I played on some mats (with little man) and she especially enjoyed doing that!
All in all, really, despite being such a sad day, it was also a very wonderful day full of fun and exciting things for my children.
But I say all those who lost lives in 9/11 or were profoundly affected by it in other ways, you still remain in my prayers and thoughts.
I did listen to part fo it on the radio - unintentionally. Dh last drove my car and put it on a serious news station. I get in, expecting my top 40 music station, and hear "traffic is just backed up, at a standstill. People are panicked and worried, blah, blah ..." and immediately thought Oh no! It's happening again! Why? Why? Jacked up the volume and listened for about 5 mintues before I realized they were replaying original coverage. BIG sigh of relief and a quick change of the station. I still can't believe what happened 5 years ago. Nor do I fully understand it. I mean, I get other places do not agree with America and Americans and things our country has done, but to take planes into buildings and kill that many people, no, I'll never understand it. I just won't.
Moving on ...
my dd started her classes today at our co-op. She had a great day. I had a not so great day. While she is in classes, we basically sit in a big gym. Half the gym has tables and chairs, the other half is left open for children to run around, play basketball, etc, etc. Combine this environment with curious 9 month old and what do you get? Trouble! LOL! But I am surprised to say he only got hit with a basketball once and tripped over once (I surely thought it would happen a few more times than that honestly). But basically this meant aside from when he nursed (3 sessions at about 5 minutes each because really, how could I expect him to eat with all that going on) and he did fall asleep finally about 20 minutes before we left ... I did not sit for 4 hours. I chased him up and down, and held him and walked until he wriggled out, and followed him, and made sure he didnt' get bopped with balls, stepped on, or start unpacking other peoples bags, coolers, etc, etc. I am worn out. I do not know how I will survie a year of this. In the future it will get worse before it gets better because tonight little man took his very first steps. On the day he turned 9 months old, he took his first steps. So now I will be chasing a shaking toddler among kids, balls, bags, adults, tables and chairs. Oh. Joy. I. Can't. Wait.
However my 6 year old LOVES her classes. 2 of them she took last year, and has the same teachers so she knew she would love it. But she also requested Spanish. And today it began. She liked it a lot. She couldnt' remember any words when she left class except that rojo was red, but hey, it's a start!
So we came home, where upon little man continued to sleep (crawling around for 3 1/2 hours surely wore him out as he took the longest nap I can remember him ever taking coming in at 2 hours 20 minutes) which meant I also took a nap!
Then it was off to 6 year olds first day of basketball. At first she didn't want to sign-up ... I pushed the issue, she resisted. I saw the error of my ways and told her that if she didn't want to go I wouldn't make her so I wouldn't sign her up (and I did it geniuenly not as some reverse pyschology trick). She heard that and cried abotu how she really wanted to go and I was so mean to not sign her up! 6 year olds! Crazy ... so we did sign up and turns out she truely loved her first day. 6 boys, 2 girls. Her and the girl kind of became instant buddies =) WOnderful for her!
My now 4 year old all day told everyone she turned 4 last night at her birthday party (cute how she thinks she turned 4 at the party so I guess it's a good thing we had one and on the actually birthday to boot!) She saw some old friends from the co-op last year and had fun catching up with them. While her sister was in basketball, her and I played on some mats (with little man) and she especially enjoyed doing that!
All in all, really, despite being such a sad day, it was also a very wonderful day full of fun and exciting things for my children.
But I say all those who lost lives in 9/11 or were profoundly affected by it in other ways, you still remain in my prayers and thoughts.
Sunday, September 10, 2006
Happy birthday
My darling daughter was born 4 years ago today! I can't believe it's been 4 years.
She is such a sweet girl. She loves to cuddle. She loves to draw and look at books. She has the best imagination ever. She loves to play with her kitchen set. And her babies ... oh, she takes such good care of her baby dolls.
She is full of a giving spirit and such love. Oh, have I mentioned she LOVES to talk. She will talk about anything to anyone at anytime pretty much anywhere. She likes to talk to people in the grocery store, in the mall, at the park, all the time!
But it's cute ... her speech isn't perfect and sometimes I just love to sit and hear her talk but I admit I don't always listen to what she is saying.
I can't imagine life without my little M! She is just precious beyond words. She has also challenged my as a parent in ways my other children could not have. And yet, I see so much of myself in her (sometimes good and sometimes bad) but I connect her so well it's sometimes scary. And then there are moments where I have no idea how she comes up with the things that she does!
So, today on her fourth birthday I say to her - keep your wonderful spirit. Don't lose it ever. Keep the joy you carry inside of you shining bright on everyone around you. I just know you brighten so many people's days and lives just by simply being you. And I love that about you. It's hard to not smile when I'm with you - even when you are not listening! I admit it, so many times, I have to laugh a bit first before I can discipline you sometimes! But I love you - always have, always will!
love,
your mommy
She is such a sweet girl. She loves to cuddle. She loves to draw and look at books. She has the best imagination ever. She loves to play with her kitchen set. And her babies ... oh, she takes such good care of her baby dolls.
She is full of a giving spirit and such love. Oh, have I mentioned she LOVES to talk. She will talk about anything to anyone at anytime pretty much anywhere. She likes to talk to people in the grocery store, in the mall, at the park, all the time!
But it's cute ... her speech isn't perfect and sometimes I just love to sit and hear her talk but I admit I don't always listen to what she is saying.
I can't imagine life without my little M! She is just precious beyond words. She has also challenged my as a parent in ways my other children could not have. And yet, I see so much of myself in her (sometimes good and sometimes bad) but I connect her so well it's sometimes scary. And then there are moments where I have no idea how she comes up with the things that she does!
So, today on her fourth birthday I say to her - keep your wonderful spirit. Don't lose it ever. Keep the joy you carry inside of you shining bright on everyone around you. I just know you brighten so many people's days and lives just by simply being you. And I love that about you. It's hard to not smile when I'm with you - even when you are not listening! I admit it, so many times, I have to laugh a bit first before I can discipline you sometimes! But I love you - always have, always will!
love,
your mommy
Friday, September 08, 2006
My dad ...
My dad is a big, strong guy. 6'1" 190 pounds. He's a farmer - he's physically active on the job and also works out in a gym.
But tonight I saw him and all I could think was that he looked weak and old.
He is in the hospital. He has a blood clot in his lungs.
My dad is a big, strong guy. He mostly thinks doctors are for sissies, and he never misses work. Tuesday he was sick and did not go to work. Wednesday he asked my mom to take him to the ER. They went. he was sent home. Thursday he went to his doctor. They said to rest and sent him home. This morning he again asked to be taken to the hospital.
My dad is a big, strong guy. He rarely complains. Pain isn't in his vocabulary. His work depends on him to keep going, even if he's sore. Tonight, despite having pain medication pumped into his system, he said it hurt. He said he was in pain. He asked if it was time for the next shot because it hurt that much.
I am not big. I am not that strong. I am terrified of what might happen. Of what could have happened. The ER sent him home once! His doctor sent him home once! What would have happened had they not caught the clot today? What will happen with his recovery? And how in the world did he even get a clot? He has not had surgery, he is not inactive, he did not just take a long flight, he is not pregnant, did not give birth, does not have cancer, didn't have a stroke or a heart attack, none of the things most websites list as causes fit him. So where did it come from? What caused it? What will his life look like in 2 weeks? 2 months? 2 years?
Right now I am just praying that he starts to feel better soon. I am praying they don't discover he has cancer that we didn't know about that caused the clot, or other disorders/diseases/etc.
Mostly I'm just praying he feels better and is home soon and is out of pain.
But tonight I saw him and all I could think was that he looked weak and old.
He is in the hospital. He has a blood clot in his lungs.
My dad is a big, strong guy. He mostly thinks doctors are for sissies, and he never misses work. Tuesday he was sick and did not go to work. Wednesday he asked my mom to take him to the ER. They went. he was sent home. Thursday he went to his doctor. They said to rest and sent him home. This morning he again asked to be taken to the hospital.
My dad is a big, strong guy. He rarely complains. Pain isn't in his vocabulary. His work depends on him to keep going, even if he's sore. Tonight, despite having pain medication pumped into his system, he said it hurt. He said he was in pain. He asked if it was time for the next shot because it hurt that much.
I am not big. I am not that strong. I am terrified of what might happen. Of what could have happened. The ER sent him home once! His doctor sent him home once! What would have happened had they not caught the clot today? What will happen with his recovery? And how in the world did he even get a clot? He has not had surgery, he is not inactive, he did not just take a long flight, he is not pregnant, did not give birth, does not have cancer, didn't have a stroke or a heart attack, none of the things most websites list as causes fit him. So where did it come from? What caused it? What will his life look like in 2 weeks? 2 months? 2 years?
Right now I am just praying that he starts to feel better soon. I am praying they don't discover he has cancer that we didn't know about that caused the clot, or other disorders/diseases/etc.
Mostly I'm just praying he feels better and is home soon and is out of pain.
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
I just want to say ...
I don't care at all about seeing Tom and Katie's baby.
I can't believe the release of her photos is making headline news @@ I think it speaks volumes about Americans and what we think is important. It makes me sad.
Put the pictures on entertainment news and magazines designed for entertainment, but when it comes in national news "war in Iraq, pictures of Suri Cruise, nuclear capabilities in Iran, Is Angelina pregnant again, fighting in Afghanistan picking up again"
Ugh. It makes me sick.
No wonder people felt "blind sighted" by 9/11 and so "shocked and unprepared" for gas prices to increase. It's because most of the "news" we listen to, read, etc, isn't really true news IMO. And then when something happens (that if we had been paying attention wouldn't have been so shocking) we'd understand or even be able to do something to lessen the blow.
It's sad. People know more about celebrities than what they know about our government.
Okay, I feel better now. I just had to get that out. I think all this hoopla is just crap though. They had a baby. Guess what? I've had 3 of them! Millions and millions of woman have had millions and millions of babies. It happens every single day! I don't get why people care so much! Maybe someone can enlighten me ...
I can't believe the release of her photos is making headline news @@ I think it speaks volumes about Americans and what we think is important. It makes me sad.
Put the pictures on entertainment news and magazines designed for entertainment, but when it comes in national news "war in Iraq, pictures of Suri Cruise, nuclear capabilities in Iran, Is Angelina pregnant again, fighting in Afghanistan picking up again"
Ugh. It makes me sick.
No wonder people felt "blind sighted" by 9/11 and so "shocked and unprepared" for gas prices to increase. It's because most of the "news" we listen to, read, etc, isn't really true news IMO. And then when something happens (that if we had been paying attention wouldn't have been so shocking) we'd understand or even be able to do something to lessen the blow.
It's sad. People know more about celebrities than what they know about our government.
Okay, I feel better now. I just had to get that out. I think all this hoopla is just crap though. They had a baby. Guess what? I've had 3 of them! Millions and millions of woman have had millions and millions of babies. It happens every single day! I don't get why people care so much! Maybe someone can enlighten me ...
Monday, September 04, 2006
On homeschooling ...
We have completed 2 weeks so far. And I have to say, I'm pretty unhappy with it.
Not unhappy with the choice to keep the kids home, not unhappy with their work (my oldest is doing quite well if I do get a chance to brag a bit!). I'm unhappy with the direction we are taking. Frankly, most of what we are doing is boring. I want it to be fun and exciting. I want my kids to be enthusiastic about learning and doing their schoolwork.
So I think, I'm going to take a very big directional change with how things go around here from now on. I want to have a LOT more reading going on ... reading, reading, reading ... my goal is a minimum of 2 hours reading total a day. I also want to incorporate more creativity into our day. Painting, drawing, sketching, writing, acting out plays, singing, building, etc, etc, etc.
I really think my kids will not only have more fun with this, but blossom more and learn more in the long run. I still want to do all the academics - writing, math, science, social studies, but yet I want to do more than just that.
I originally kept them home because I did not like the classroom setting as a whole nor do I think my oldest especially will do as well in that sort of environment. It occurs to me that over the last two weeks, we've recreated a classroom here - just with a lot less children! Well, if that's the case and all I'm going to do, it's silly to keep her home, IMO. So I'm going to jazz it up a bit, change things around.
Fall is coming upon us. I dream of going to the park, doing some reading, maybe some math, then observing the nature around us, drawing what we see, writing poems about it, running around the park, playing on swings, do some more artwork, have a picnic lunch, do some reading, and play some more. Now maybe I won't have something that sweet going on here, but I sure will try! So, here's hoping this week we can get the essence of that vision in what we do. We have already started a few painting projects, my oldest has a purse on the loom, the youngest is creating collages, and I think we are off to a great start honestly.
In other news, this week should actually be a hectic one! We have several errands to run tomorrow, I think my g3 will start gymnastics Wednesday, Saturday we will do family pictures (FINALLY! LOL!), my g3 will become g4 Sunday (boo-hoo!), next week the girls start some classes, Awana starts back up, my moms birthday is coming up, I have about 2 million projects myself to finish in the next few weeks, and blah, blah.
I hope that I can find some peace and quiet with the kids through my newfound direction in schooling them.
DH starts his third job in two weekends, and next weekend is packed with activity ... so I'm also trying to mentally prepare for him to be working 7 days a week, minimum of 12 hours a day. This time of year is always hard on me, but this year, I already feel stressed to the max and so I'm nervous about getting through it in one piece. I have decided to go to the Y this week, check it out, and start my membership. That way I can start working out (and hopefully start working out frustration) as well as getting a brief break from the kids each day when they are in the childcare room. It will also give me a place to go when things get too stressful around here. Dh wants to wait until November to start the membership - um, yeah, cause he will be working every day from now until then! I want to start now so I can find a mini-get away while he's busy working each day! LOL!
Not unhappy with the choice to keep the kids home, not unhappy with their work (my oldest is doing quite well if I do get a chance to brag a bit!). I'm unhappy with the direction we are taking. Frankly, most of what we are doing is boring. I want it to be fun and exciting. I want my kids to be enthusiastic about learning and doing their schoolwork.
So I think, I'm going to take a very big directional change with how things go around here from now on. I want to have a LOT more reading going on ... reading, reading, reading ... my goal is a minimum of 2 hours reading total a day. I also want to incorporate more creativity into our day. Painting, drawing, sketching, writing, acting out plays, singing, building, etc, etc, etc.
I really think my kids will not only have more fun with this, but blossom more and learn more in the long run. I still want to do all the academics - writing, math, science, social studies, but yet I want to do more than just that.
I originally kept them home because I did not like the classroom setting as a whole nor do I think my oldest especially will do as well in that sort of environment. It occurs to me that over the last two weeks, we've recreated a classroom here - just with a lot less children! Well, if that's the case and all I'm going to do, it's silly to keep her home, IMO. So I'm going to jazz it up a bit, change things around.
Fall is coming upon us. I dream of going to the park, doing some reading, maybe some math, then observing the nature around us, drawing what we see, writing poems about it, running around the park, playing on swings, do some more artwork, have a picnic lunch, do some reading, and play some more. Now maybe I won't have something that sweet going on here, but I sure will try! So, here's hoping this week we can get the essence of that vision in what we do. We have already started a few painting projects, my oldest has a purse on the loom, the youngest is creating collages, and I think we are off to a great start honestly.
In other news, this week should actually be a hectic one! We have several errands to run tomorrow, I think my g3 will start gymnastics Wednesday, Saturday we will do family pictures (FINALLY! LOL!), my g3 will become g4 Sunday (boo-hoo!), next week the girls start some classes, Awana starts back up, my moms birthday is coming up, I have about 2 million projects myself to finish in the next few weeks, and blah, blah.
I hope that I can find some peace and quiet with the kids through my newfound direction in schooling them.
DH starts his third job in two weekends, and next weekend is packed with activity ... so I'm also trying to mentally prepare for him to be working 7 days a week, minimum of 12 hours a day. This time of year is always hard on me, but this year, I already feel stressed to the max and so I'm nervous about getting through it in one piece. I have decided to go to the Y this week, check it out, and start my membership. That way I can start working out (and hopefully start working out frustration) as well as getting a brief break from the kids each day when they are in the childcare room. It will also give me a place to go when things get too stressful around here. Dh wants to wait until November to start the membership - um, yeah, cause he will be working every day from now until then! I want to start now so I can find a mini-get away while he's busy working each day! LOL!
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