Last Minute Decision.....

So, my husband owns his own company. He has to be EVERYTHING to that company....owner, director, human resources, employee and the list goes on and on...So he has been out ALOT and has ALL those reports to write (not to mention any kind of business related stuff). He worked all weekend, stayed up all night Sunday and worked all day Monday. He needed to be in this city today...but didn't need to drive. He needed to sleep or work. Yes, he could have flown...but he wouldn't have gotten much acomplished with sleeping or working...So I said, "Why don't we go with you and I'll drive." So that is what we did. He looks SOOO much better and has been able to work a little. Now he is off to a new company, not to mention that he has to finish up his othe reports. I don't think anyone realizes how hard he works. Unfortunately we see little benefit to that these days...but he provides well for us and he loves us. I am SOOO glad I was able to help him.

Now all that to say...Our children were watching movies in the back. For some reason there was a think black line splitting the scene in 2. My daughter was just going to watch...but my son said, "That's it. Pack up we're going home." He is SOOOO dramatic :-) and so intense! He is so grown up too. We laughed SOOO hard! We checked in at 1 am last night (well earlier, but we had to switch rooms...). They gave my husband a cookie at the front desk, b/c he's a high ranking memeber in their hotel points program...(b.c he's gone so much). My son REALLY wanted that cookie. The first thing he said this morning was, "Where's the cookie?" We also got upgraded, initially to a King whirlpool suite....and then switched to a king suite with a couch (that turns into a bed). This hotel is not very nice. It's okay, but most of the places we stay by this chain is very nice. This time...not so much. Of course we aren't in a great area either :-). I am thankful we have the extra space b/c of the upgrade. I am thankful I was able to help. I am thankful we had breakfast (barely they guy was packing up 30 min early!!!!). Today we plan to do reading lessons, Math lessons, read our books we brought, play (of course), color, go to lunch and supper with the husband, exercise and take a nap...trust me after going to bed @ 2 we are tired :-).

Oh and yes can you tell we are flexible and have pretty flexible children??? They just go with us. They like to travel and to go. We just pack up and do it. I've never been very rigid. It's just not me. There are some things yes. When they were babies it was WAAAY hard....They didn't travel well as infants. It is also harder unless we're staying in a hotel. Having space to spread out and relax helps a ton. We rarely plan anything too far in advance, b/c of the nature of my husband's business. We just can't. He takes work when he can and when he sees a dry spell we go. So our little vacation to Hawaii may even be delayed until September. I am even considering homeschooling next yr as well. They are reading on a 1st grade level...they are at pace or above the kids I know in public Kindergarten (except maybe the red haired girl and the blond.... ;-) ). Those 2 should be in 1st going in to 2nd ;-). We will see how it all goes. Yes, they will eventually end up in real school whether private or public.

Anyway...that is what is going on here. Hanging in a hotel room...about to do our lessons :-).

Cute Sayings and Happenings

My daughter calls Vitamin C....Vitamin seeds. We were in Target a couple of weeks ago and her "vitamin seed" fell out of her mouth, so I asked her to hold it until we found a trash can. She decided she wanted to take it home and plant it. No, I didn't let her take that one home :-).

Tonight we went to eat supper with some friends and the restaurant had a Jute Box. My son (and likely my daughter) thought it was a "Juice Box."

We went for a walk today and went through an area where they were building and my daughter said, "But daddy they're still makin' here." Her sweet little voice.

Tonight I was working in the yard and my children were playing outside. They rode their scooter up and down the sidewalk and their bikes. Then my sweet girl was tired and REALLY wanted to go inside. For some reason she thinks that my son has to go with her. He was being pretty persistent about staying outside...so she threw her things down and put her hands on her hips and said, "Take me inside now!!!!" So, her big brother did! Now, we don't promote throwing things down or being bossy, but it was rather funny. I know how exhausted she was...she is still trying to get well.

The last cute thing she said today....They wanted a flashlight to use outside and so she said, "Mommy would you be so kind to let us use yours?" Who could say no to that????

Spin Spin Spin

This is my Favorite....I especially love where they lay down...notice my two are snuggled up together...

a Visit to Music Class

Open House

My son and his friend

Best friends! Notice he is trying to hold her hand :-)


She loves the pockets in her dress my mom made (I started it)

Tea room with Gigi

Our energy didn't last long...she is passed out!

Best Friends

They are best friends. They do everything together...even sleep together now. They always want whatever the other wants...I think there is a different relationship b/t them than typical siblings. They are alot more like twins, b/c they are only 14 mths apart. I think they would be lost without the other one. Yes, I am in for trouble. My pediatrician warned me along time ago about them being so close in age. He said it is much like having twins, b/c what one doesn't think of the other will. They certainly have me out numbered! I pray they will always be so close and caring with one another.

I am tired, no I am exhausted. I really don't know why. Perhaps it's the stress of having my baby girl be sick for 2 weeks. I don't know. I do know it is good that she is hungry and eating....she has had 2 fruit smoothies today, chicken nuggets, oatmeal, granola bar, bean burrito (home made). She also had a glass of orange juice and a glass of milk. So she has an appetite. Surely another week of laying low will make her bounce back. Hopefully before it gets too hot to go to the zoo! I have been waiting for beautiful weather so we could go to the zoo!!!!

Mother's Intuition?

Does she look good to you???

Okay...for some reason I feel anxious about my daughter. I am naturally very intuitive...and I don't know if I am just anxious, b/c she's been so sick and I am paranoid or if there IS some reason to be anxious. When my son was 18 mths old. He was sick...he cried when he would try to play with his toys. He wouldn't eat or drink....he was not himself at all. I called my pediatrician's office, but the nurse dismissed me. It was Christmas Eve and she didn't want to stay longer...Well, I could feel it inside me he was sicker than what they wanted to think. Yes, mamma was right. We took him to the ER on Christmas Eve and they said he was badly dehydrated. What happens when a toddler is dehydrated is they shut down completely...won't eat or drink. So, they gave him an IV and kept us their hours...then they made sure he would drink some apple juice before sending us home. That was the 1st night we noticed my daughter didn't scream the whole night & she slept all night! Thank goodness! Anyway, we had to take our son back the next night do be checked...and he was much better.

My pediatrician is awesome. He cares for my children like he would care for his own. He will go to extremes to rule things out. he has said he trusts mother's intuition. Today we went for a recheck, because my daughter has been finished with both antibiotics for 2 days now. She still just doesn't seem right. She is very tired, still fussy, and she doesn't look like herself at all. He did a blood count on her and everything seemed okay. He was very kind to sit down, show me the numbers and explain them. The only thing that was off was her platelets were high...he said that just meant she was still sick. He suggested I give her a Flintstone vitamin with iron to help rebuild her system. he said she was VERY sick and it will likely take another week or so for her to bounce back. He said if she spikes a fever or isn't better in a week or so to bring her back. I will. I hope she gets back to herself in the near future....like by the end of this week. If she doesn't for some reason I will take her back.

In the meantime anyone who reads this pray for her. Pray that she gets better and look better and that I will calm down. I REALLY feel anxious. I am normally not like this...

Vacation Vacation Vacation

First a little background information...We are both youngest. We don't really make decisions. You don't know how often we get in the car and in the first 10 min we're having the following conversation, "Where do you want to go?" "I don't know. Where do you want to go?" Back and forth until 1 of us or 1 of our children makes a decision. My brother in law use to tease us, b/c we would flip a coin back in our dating & early marriage days....

Now a days we have a more democratic way of doing things. Our children each get 1 vote. Mommy and daddy get 1 1/2 votes. I have decided when we're alone with them we can up that to 2 1/2 just in case we need it. Also, mommy and daddy do have veto power...of course.

We have been trying to figure out where to go on vacation. We have a list of places we had wanted to go prior to having children, but our son surprised us...and so even more fun we have been whittling away at our list of destinations with our children in tow. Since we are taking our children we have had to add some destinations we have already visited back to our list (like Hawaii, California, Disney World).

This time around we can not afford the Disney World trip, plus it would be fun to drag my parents along. We had originally thought we would do a California trip and Hawaii all at once. That won't work for 2 reasons...1 my husband can not be away from his business as long as he would need to be away and 2 we do not have enough airline points to book the tickets to accommodate that trip.

When asked, "Hawaii or Mickey Mouse?" Our children both answered, "Hawaii" without hesitation. WOW! Okay...they both want to to see a volcano and a lava beach....I am thanking the Lord we can not afford a helicopter tour. I have always refused one of those...and the other 3 want to do it. I am just not that adventurous :-). I like adventure on the ground with my feet...I will explore and hike and have great determination and climb anything, when I can control it to some extent! Back to the vacation.....

The parents (us) were still thinking California. As we were discussing it and exploring we decided getting to Hawaii during the summer or typical school breaks is nearly impossible using airline miles. If we're going to do Hawaii we almost need to do it now. We have hotel points and fortunately my husband is Diamond with Hilton, so we get free breakfast and typically we get room upgrades....so If we fill ourselves and our children up with breakfast....we should be able to miss lunch...eat carrots and granola instead....and then have a nice supper of some sort. Also, since they will still be 5 and under they will eat free (except the luau). The luau will be expensive, but since my daughter isn't 5 yet she will get the luau free (trust me it won't seem free). We won't need to rent a car but for 2 days....to tour the island. We will have plenty of time to lay on the beach and build sand castles.

The only things I am sad about are...we can not go to our honeymoon spot. We have always dreamed of taking our children to the resort for a few days....or even having that be our entire destination. It is just too expensive....they have made it insanely expensive now...maybe out of reach for us forever :-(. Sad for me, b/c I LOVED that place and Hawaii doesn't seem the same without visiting there even a couple of nights to reminisce. We are still hoping to save up enough to return for our 10th anniversary (June 2011)....we will see.

The other sad part is my daughter will be too young for the keiki programs...so mommy and daddy will not get a meal alone. I don't know that doesn't bother me too much. I don't leave them with anyone but my mom or my husband's brother and sis in law and a preschool I trust....I am THAT protective. We may never do sleep overs either....that is for another discussion.

Now I must assess what still fits and what doesn't...who needs flip flops and sunscreen and all of that. I am also going on a diet. I do not like the way I look anyway...plus I need to get back where I was b/c 1 I am happier there 2 I like the way I look there and 3 then my clothes would fit....Now that we are all FINALLY well (or I think at least)...I will be hitting the gym and the ball and the slim fast....and push ups and Billy Blanks (he makes my arms awesome...I think I hope).

I can't wait to lay on the beach, build sand castles, swim in the pool, hike and watch my children do these things for the 1st time!!!!

10 yrs ago Today

This is us, only we're more on top of things than the average youngest.

Us April 10, 1999 (I was 22 and he was 27)

I'm sorry this is sideways. I don't know why. This picture was actually taken April 10th, 1999 the day we went to Six Flags. It was also the day he said, "I love you" for the 1st time. actually he told me "I love you like I've never loved anyone before" He gave me his college ring (which is a VERY big deal considering the traditions at this school...and his attachement to his ring). He told me he was going to buy me a ring and marry me (I thought that meant soon...try 2 yrs later ;-) ).

Back to 10 yrs ago today.

We met through a Christian dating line. I was cautious. First, because I was paranoid and 2nd because I didn't like to talk on the phone and 3rd because he was perfect. His description was brown hair, green eyes, 5'11 (we discovered he's actually 6'), and he was an auditor (yes he is alot like my dad and my brothers...sort of a mix of all of them with a little of my uncle). I was scared that someone so much older and with a career...would have no interest in a girl like me. I blew him off initially. Finally I gave n and we e-mailed daily for a month and then I gave him my phone # and we started talking on the phone for hours.

Back to 10 yrs ago today (again)....

We had been e-mailing and talking on the phone, but we hadn't actually met in person. This was the day we had planned to go on our 1st date. We were going to go see Analyze This. We met at a movie theatre closer to me...and somehow I ended up being 45 min late. He thought I was worth waiting for thank goodness! I had told him I would be wearing my yellow jacket and he said he'd be wearing his "Charlie Brown" sweater. As I turned the corner I saw him and he did this cute little spin thing (pretending he hadn't seen me yet). As we made our way to buy our tickets I looked into his green eyes and thought "These are the eyes of the man I am going to marry. I will look into these eyes the rest of my life." Yes, I pretty much knew that day...it was like every guy I had ever dated was completely forgotten. There was no one else. I had already been falling in love with him over the previous months. In the movie he went on and on about how tiny I was (I was back then...20 lbs smaller than I am today). He asked to hold my hand and I eagerly said yes. Back then he was SOOO in to me. He held my hand and rubbed my arm so sweetly. He couldn't keep his hands off of me.

after the movie we went to the mall to look for a dress for my niece (she was turning 2). We also ate french fries and held hands all day. Finally we decided to have supper....at On the Border. It was funny we had to wait for a table (which didn't matter) and so I was standing in front of him and he was rubbing my shoulders...very sweetly and I thought he was JUST being sweet...AWWW but when I looked he was actually watching the basketball game on the TV ahead of me :-). Anyway we ate in the bar area...I ordered cheese enchiladas and he ordered something carnivorous. I was SOOOO nervous and excited I couldn't eat. He made me feel like I was 15 (I was 22). Anyway, when we left the restaraunt he took my hand and turned me around and kissed me. He still can't believe he didn't ask :-)...but he didn't. He just kissed me.

So there it began...When he was in town we were always together. He became my best friend and he made me fall in love and never look back. I knew he was the one for me. I know there is controversy about soul mates...but he is mine. He is the man God had for me. He is my perfect match. He balances me like no one else. He was my dream man then and now.

Now for nostalgia a couple of our e-mails (yes I still have them printed as well as saved on my old account)

Sorry I haven't called. The past couple of days have been busy. But I planto call you tomorrow (Thursday). I would call you now, but I don't know whatis too late to call. It's about 10:00p.m. right now, and I dont want to callthis late, unless I know it's o.k. I am very tired. I've been playing a lot of tennis, racquetball, andbasketball the past couple of weeks, and I am worn out. I haven't been ableto play a lot of sports in the past couple of years due to not knowing a lotof people around the areas I have lived. About my job and traveling. You asked if i have been doing a lot of traveling.That is all I do - travel. I've been to California a lot lately. I leave forDenver, Co. this coming Monday. Im staying there that following weekend. Afriend is flying up and we're going skiing. Then, the next week, Im flyingback to California for the week. Did I tell you about my wreck? Yep, I had a wreck in a parking lot. A ladyran into the side of my car ( the passenger door ). She thinks its my fault,and I think it is both of our faults. And the people around just assumed itwas my fault because I am a young looking guy in a sports car and she was amother with four teenage kids in the car. But I'll tell you the detailslater.Sorry to hear about your kids, and their knives. You need to invest in abullet proof vest. Anyway, I am going to get off of here and go to bed. Hopeyou have a good day tomorrow, and hopefully I will talk to you. Good Night,

And another excerpt...

If I had one wish....I would have to wish that my nieces become successfulchristian females. It doesn't matter if they are successful in sports orwhatever...just as they live a happy life. I am going to alter this questiona little. I want two wishes...the other one would be to have kids just likethem. (I don't know if you can tell...but they have me wrapped around theirfinger)

Bizarre News

This morning I had to drop the cuties at my mom's, b/c I had the privelege of having more lab work done today....complete with a lovely purple bruise :-). So...on my way home I had a message from an old college friend telling me her father had died. I cried...that is 1 thing I know is coming eventually...and one thing that I think is devastating, especially at our age. Then I called my mom to tell her I was on my way home and heard some more bizarre news. My brother and sister in law are in New Orleans this week for a little vacation (their children are staying with my mom)...Anyway! My mom tells me y brother had an accident. I'm thinking oh they must have rented a car, but he's okay since she talked to him. I was not prepared for what she old me...

This morning while removing or placing things in the hotel safe hi pinky finger on his right hand (his dominant hand) got stuck in the hotel safe. He couldn't open the safe so he pulled his finger out...He is very tiny boned and his fingers are long, but thin...and well there was alot of blood and they had to remove part of his pinkie. He said he hasn't looked at it and doesn't want to talk about it. He has pain meds (obviosuly) and antibiotics. That would be kinda devastating and I think I would have to mourn the loss of my finger....with tears. I know there are worse things in life, but seriously that would tough.

The rest of the day wasn't too bad. My sweet girl still doesn't look good to me and she is extrordinarily fussy. We enjoyed seeing my nieces and nephews and playing...I will upload some photos later (maybe tomorrow).

1 last thing my sister (who I have been a little tiny bit mad at...long story) is not doing well. She looks like she is depressed, she acts like she is and she is at a job where they are laying the employees off 1 week at a time (without pay)....then having them back. They all take turns once a month. She is having a garage sale this weekend, b/c she said she is flat broke. Part if me worries and wants to help the other part of me thinks there is another adult in the house who will not get even a part time job anywhere ( a grocery store anything) to bring in a little...Said adult will not keep the 5 yr old after school...which means they are spending $500/month on after school care. I think someone in that household needs to step up and help. I can gaurantee if we were in that position I would go to work at McDonalds if I had to...to help out. Obviously I would try to be part time so I could then keep my children when they get out of school. Sorry, I didn't mean to rant or "gossip." I just don't get it...if my sister reads this...I'm sorry there is no defending him in that scenario....I will give you more opinion if you want it. Yes, my husband agrees with me....my husband would work 2 or 3 jobs in order to take care of us....that is what you do. His dad bagged groceries and all sorts of things to take care of them....because that is what you do to be a responsible husband and father.

Anyway, I need to get to bed...my husband will be back in the morning! Tomorrow is the 10th anniversary of our 1st date. I will be working on a special post for the occasion :-)!

I have a post I am working on about Fireproof. I finally watched it on PPV last night. I am not sure how candid I want to be on here....I have a secret blog where I journal...

I can say while I am mulling this over that it is a pretty realistic picture of marriage. Marriage is hard...there is no out. Not that I want an out. I am actually thankful that not only do both of us agree we will not ever leave....but we signed a nifty thingy that everyone who was in our wedding is supposed to have. They are supposed to remind us, if we ever try to get out, that we said we wouldn't.

We've been through our ups and downs...we've had our round on people trying to divide us and it's only brought us closer...through some pretty fierce arguments sometimes. Marriage is forever evolving. I know it made a HUGE difference last month when I was sick and I didn't get the usual remarks or dirty looks. In our home I take care of all domestic duties ALL. The poor guy is lost when I am sick...but he really stepped up last month despite the stress he was under.

Like I said I am working on my thoughts...it takes time. I can say Kirk Cameron is still cute and he is actually a good actor....

The odd things you discover when researching for a 5 yr old boy...

http://www.sciencenews.org/view/access/id/32520/name/eat-insects-1.jpg

Itchy eyes, sore throat, runny nose, coughing and congestion

It has been some kind of week. I am pretty sure I have whatever my daughter had initially and my son has had. He seems to be on the mend YAY! He is no longer wheezing thanks tothe prednisone. Hopefully it will stay out of my chest this time! I don't need any lectures on how you can keep from being sick by washing your hands...I know this and I do it. When you're daughter has pneumonia and you are carrying her and giving her 24 hr care and sleeping with her...she coughs and sneezes on you...good luck staying healthy ;-).

Today I have been wiped out...and I FINALLY had it with the fussies. I told them they ahve met they're quota no more!!!! Then on the way home from the pediarician I had them (and me) throw our fussies out the window. You have no idea how badly I want to will myself to Roadhouse or atleast the nifty grocer store with eating inside...I don't know what we're going to eat tonight!!!

I adore my husband and I don't mean to make him feel bad. He works so hard for us, but you don't know how hard it is to be a "single parent." Signing up to be a parent is much harder than we imagined, but it is so worth it. It's not about us anymore...and losing sleep and misisng app'ts and missing eachother is just part of it right now. having an adult (and I would take just about anyone right now) would be so helpful! A run to the store, just picking up the house...or cooking supper would be easier. I truly don;t think people get the reality I live sometimes...I am NOT complaining. When your husband doesn't come home it is a different world. Nothing is the smame. It is lonely, hard and at times exhausting. It can make you emotional, cranky, and makes you feel alone sometimes. Sometimes you just need a friend.

This has just not been the week of fun I had planned :-(. Tonight we will eat (something) and maybe we can watch a movie...I doubt they get a bath this time ;-). That is a rarity!

Back to the positives...I copied from an older post....

Pros

Airline miles

hotel points

free trips when we tag along

We have our own routine when daddy is gone (b/c he's gone 90% of the time)

I am so use to sleeping by myself, so it is nice to have the bed to myself

less laundry

no nagging (although my son is following in his father's footsteps)

less cooking

Our Day in Pictures

This is from Saturday night...Molly sleeps with Sara these days
I LOVE this picture, but doesn't she look terrible???

Tonight, snacks and rest...todays pulse ox was 95 :-(

Snack in bed, fever wheezing pulse ox was 96 :-(

Then he stabbed his toe with a metal pole :-(. I wrapped it and stopped the bleeding. I am afraid we will visiting the pediatrician and he will be getting stitches. Hopefully I am worng.

Like I didn't know....

Southern and Proud of it!
You are the real thing! You're as Southern as Grits, Greens, Cornbread and good old fashioned fried chicken!

I love grits and all kinds of vegetables. I don't remember ever sitting down to a meal that didn't include atleast 3 vegetables with my grandmother and she always had cornbread. Grits and eggs for breakfast...ALWAYS be polite. You eat what someone gives you and say thank you. You NEVER ask for something or over step your boundaries when visiting someones house. Manners are VERY VERY important...I learned from my Georgia raised grandmother...my mamma was a military child who married a military man...but she certainly brought her southern traditions and taught them to me.

Sunday

Today I snuck out while my sweet girl was sleeping and went to target to get her medicine. It's amazing how fast and stress free a trip to the store can be :-). I picked up some donuts, which I NEVER let my children have. Last night the after hours place was next to a Dunkin Donuts and when she had to have those shots daddy went next door to get her a donut and ended up with a box free (they were closing and were throwing those away)...Daddy put them on to of the car and they flew off :-(...so I got a few for them (and me and daddy)... While I was out my brother called. They are in town and asked us to lunch. I figured my angel could get out and about as long as we carried her. So we went...then we had a busy afternoon ironing and packing the husband :-(. after dropping him at the airport, we went to my mom's to see my brother and sister in law again. They leave for their trip tomorrow and their children will be arriving at my mom's Tuesday (they're at their other grandparents right now). My daughter seems to be okay...still pale with dark circles...and taking full advantage of beng sick. Tomorrow we go to the pediatrician for a recheck. My husband made a funny remark today...he said you aren't back to normal yet, everything is a mess. I took that as a compliment actually...he knows I normally don't let messes hang around long. Yes we do have messes. I was sick 2 weeks, the 3rd week I tried to get back to normal which included all normal activities...but I was still wiped out. This past week I almost felt normal...but I had a busy week taking care of my baby girl and going back and forth to the doctor and the pharmacy... I just hope this week goes fast!!!!

Louisiana Girl

yes
The real deal 100% Louisiana

So 20 yrs ago my father was laid off from his bank job (a risk of working for a bank...buy outs consequent lay offs)...He took a job out of state and thus I was removed from my home state. For years I still claimed to be atleast partially from Louisiana...until I realized that I've been here most of my life....even worse I am actually starting to love it....Tonight I took a little quiz "Louisiana or Not?" Yes, it determined I am "the real deal." Now if it had asked if I actually EAT Boudin or Oysters or Crawfish...I would have failed :-). I use to eat Boudin in highschool. I would eat shrimp etoufee (I may not be able to spell it anymore)...and all sorts of Louisiana dishes.. Now NO WAY would any of that pass my lips. Honestly, I never at crawfish... ;-) and I was from the northern parts of Louisiana born to a military family, not legitimate cajun...more of an environmental one. Maybe it is okay that I have some roots, they've just be planted somewhere else.

WHEW

We got out our 3D projector my BF Kelley gave my son for his birthday..and last Monday we had bought a new slide show "Wilds of Africa" for $2.39 @ Hobby Lobby. Who Knew we would need it so soon??? Trust me there is something on the wall...I think it was Zebras...I guess the flash made it "disappear."

The nebulizer treatment. Again, thank you Kelley for letting us borrow your machine!

This is where she is most of the day and night...my bed

My sweet baby girl was burning up through the night and I could hear the pneumonia by putting my ear to her chest. I gave her treatments with the nebulizer instead of her inhaler/mask...and I have been dumping mucinex down her religiously. Tonight we went to the recommended after hours pediatric facility, and the doctor was SOOO kind and a lady...She was great. She listened carefully a few times. She couldn't hear a thing :-). Now like she said it is likely all the breathing treatments, but still we'll take it :-). My daughter's pulse ox was up to 95/96, so that shows improvement as well. She did give her a 2nd shot of the antibiotics (1 in each leg just like last night). She wrote her a prescription for 2 oral antibiotics to kill "every possible microrganism conceivable." We are to continue the breathing treatments and follow up Monday with our regular pediatrician (whom I LOVE...he is always so careful with my babies). She said of anything changes before then to come back there. YAY! We should be on the mend :-). She still looks awful, so it may take a few more days of being carried and babied...but she should be up and running before we know it!

Unfortunately my baby boy is wheezing and has a slight fever. I am pouring mucinex down him, Flovent, albuterol and plenty of fluids and rest. Monday he will get checked, too!

The sad part in all of this...we were supposed to drive to Denver with my husband. We would had to leave today...and that was obviously not possible. So after 5 weeks straight of working in town...my husband is leaving tomorrow night. We do have cousins coming in from Nashville...and the husband will be home very early Friday morning...That is okay :-)!

Thank you for praying...Thank you Michawn for your sweet words...you ALWAYS have a way of making me feel cared for and make me teary...mommy's are so emotional sometimes!!!

My Daughter

My sweet little angel is sicker than we thought. It started with a bike ride Monday....she started coughing and coughed all night. I kept giving her albuterol and she went to preschool Tuesday. She started coughing at preschool...and by that eveining she had a fever. Wednesday her fever was 102.9 with ibuprofen...and the doctor gave her augmenten and said to continue the albuterol...so then Thursday night her fever shot up again. Today I called for an app't and I am SOOOO glad I did. She went in tonight and she is worse. Her pulse ox was 94/95 (down from Wednesday's 97/98)...and he definetly heard pneumonia. She had to have 2 very painful shots in her legs...they are super antibiotics. She has to go tomorrow night to be rechecked....hopefully she will be improving. My poor baby boy is having to be so grown up...all week. Anyway, if anyone aactually reads this pray for my sweet baby girl.

A Few of My Favorite Things....

Tonight we went to Taco Cabana for supper. On the way there I turned on one of my favorite songs....and my husband HAD to see along in a very loud silly way....which made the little people laugh hysterically. On the way home my daughter asked him to do it again. He said no...so she decided to sing "Sweet Home Mambama" from my Sweet Home Alabama soundtrack....and she combined silly words, silly singing, handgestures and facial expressions. We ALL laughed the whole way home. I said, "I think we know whose personality she has." My son looked at me in a very grown uo manner (I wish I had a picture) and said, "Daddy's." I said, "whose personality do you have?" He responded with an equally precious facial expression, "Mommy's!" She is more like my husband, than I could imagine...actually I have recently discovered new things about him! He is a dare devil...who knew! He stood on THE EDGE of the grand canyon and SCARED me to death. He said, "Come on how often do you get to stand on the edge of the Grand Canyon?" He drives like a race car driver...which would actually be one of his dreams. He mentioned he wouldn't mind taking one of those contracting jobs in Iraq (except for me and the cuties) AND he would consider joining the Foreign Service, b/c it would be "cool." Yeah..NOT me! I like being safe :-). My sweet girl is a CRAZY bicycle rider...I WILL not be removing her training wheels for a while....although she can manage to fall off with them on, b/c of her crazy driving (and giggling the entire way!).

At home we stayed up late together...and were talking and laughing...and my sweet girl was hugging me so sweetly and she said, "I love you a million million billion zillion gazillion times!!!!" SOOOO sweet! My husband asked how she knew those words and I reminded him she was born with a math mind :-).

The other day my son asked me to marry him. When I said we couldn't get married, he asked me why...I explained that if we got married I wouldn't be his mommy anymore...and so he was okay with that answer...and decided he liked being mommy's boy!

My daughter has told me numerous times that when I am old she will come over and brush my hair and give me medicine.

Sadness

I've been stumbling upon other people's blogs and finding so much sadness...from babies dying just weeks after discovering they ahd cancer to husbands dying days after discovering they had cancer...UGH!!!! Sadness sadness sadness...

That is why I plan ahead and think...very strangely I have decided if something happened to me I would want my husband to marry again (I won't think about what that REALLY means)...merely that he would have a friend, a companion, someone to love him and take care of him and to love my children and to take care of my children...b/c they do need some motherly love (although NOONE will ever be their mommy or mom or mother but me...EVER).

That said I do not expect to have anything happen to me EVER :-). I expect for us to be married another 60 yrs and die in eachothers arms in our little retirement home on the beach in Hawaii....I plan to hold my great grandchildren and to love them all as much as I love my 2 babies.

I am sad for those people who have lost children and spouses and parents...I am managing to hold the tears in for now...but it is sad and doesn't make sense. I guess not much makes sense in life...so love and live (I mean REALLY live) everyday...and know Jesus as your saviour and trust Him...that is about all we can do. My sweet friend suggested I quit "stumbling" upon other people's sadness...perhaps she's right...

Late Night Movie Watching

I'm watching this movie on LMN. It's about a parole officer who decides to start this class for kids whose parents are in jail. I taught 5th and 6th grade emotionally disturbed children in public school for exactly 1 yr. I was only 23/24. I was really in over my head and I didn't have back up from the administration. Not to mention the "regular" teahers didn't all have the heart to love these kids...I was easily manipulated. Well, I made them mad when I quit.

My year was miserable. I was sick to my stomach ALL the time, I dreamed about these kids EVERY night. I couldn't handle it anymore. Here are a few of their stories...

1 sweet boy moved from California where he had seen his older brother killed in a gang fight. He was VERY sweet, but wouldn't talk at first. He finally started opening up some...but disappeared I think back to California. The best gift I EVER recieved was from him...a porcelain angel. I don't know if it was his parents or from the dollar store, but I still have it. I still think of him.

Another little guy was a character...but that poor kid's mom had broken arm when he was in Kindergarten with a baseball bat...Can you imagine? Meetings with his mom were beyond interesting...I guess I understand why administrators wouldn't suspend a kid like him.

The girl who caused me the most stress...that child should have had severe consequences. I am a firm believer in some kids who are "special" still need to be punished as a normal child. That gilr injured my arm by hitting it (she was bigger than me) and by shoving me in to a wall. "Special" or not she needed to know there were consequences.

Then there was the poor skitzophrenic child. How my heart breaks for him. Looking back I think his mom was telling me something...and I was so young I didn't understand.

Then there were the kids who didn't have a dad or had been abandoned...I LOVED those kids and I think that was my problem. My fiance (now husband) would always tell me you have to seperate work from home...leave it there. I couldn't. Like I said I dreamed about those kids, I talked about those kids, I worried about those kids...I didn't cry when the year ended, I don't think. I already knew I was not going back....I had secured a position at the private school where I taught prior to that year. I also knew I was getting married in 2 weeks...I think I was so warn out from the stress of the year. I gained weight that year and I just couldn't wait to get away.

Those kids are all adults now and I wonder what happened to them. Did they follow their parents foot steps or the path you would assume they would follow? Did they go to college and make good decisions? I don't know. Sadly I can't remember most of their last names....to do any research. I wonder if I would ever be good at that now that I have experience as a parent...and some wisdom with age and experience. I don't know.

The Adventures Of Sadie....

My 90 lb lab is a character. Mostly she is a lovable beatiful girl, but tonight she made me SOOOO MAD! She does not like baths and so I usually delay them...they usually occur when either

1.) we're having company or

2.) I can't stand it anymore

Well, I was VERY sick the past few weeks with pneumonia, fun stuff. I couldn't bathe her...even now I am still tired. Anyway, tonight was THE night I couldn't stand it. The weather was nice, and she was dirty so why not? She took off running and in the process stepped on my foot and scratched my toe as she was running away. Then I was mad and determined to finish the job. I caught her and drug the entire 90 lbs of lab back to the porch. I nearly gave myself a heart attack. In the meantime the husband is sitting on the couch watching TV and the children are running around the backyard laughing hysterically at me and the dog who is almost as big as me. I got her trapped b/t me, a chair and the bricks of our house. I held not only her color but the fat around her neck. I was ANGRY at this point, b/c not only had she hurt my toe, but she nearly killed me. The amazing part is, that dog could likely take me down and she chooses to just let me pull her, drag her and yell at her. She is likely laughing the whole time as well. That dog, I swear. My cat is by far less trouble...

I have to Complain

I am having an issue..it's apparently been an issue for a long time (maybe since my daughter was a baby)...but in January a very noticeable, strange and somewhat scary issue started...so last week I found out there is something causing these issues...which is a little scary. Tonight I am having ALOT of pain..like I am in knots. My doctors app't can not come soon enough. I just want to know if it's "serious" and I want it removed....Unfortunately I think I will have to start taking something I do not like taking AT ALL :-(. As long as this is not too serious and just certain things are removed...it is good for the husband and sad for me. I will deal with it after I see the doctor and know for sure...

Just another day....

Today was a fun day, even if I didn't accomplish anything! We played hide and seek for a long time, Candyland and built a castle for the puppies. The family room is covered in toys...and I didn't vacuum or dust or fold (well I folded a little...and then they unfolded). It is amazing having SOOO much help from my husband the past 2 weeks has put so much of me back. I am not cranky AT ALL. I feel relaxed and happy and ready to play. I think I needed to get sick and I needed to be spoiled. Around here (and I am not complaining)...I deal with anything house or child oriented...My husband just work. Now that would be an issue if he had a normal job, but he doesn't. He owns his own business and works harder than any man I know. I still need times of him doing more for me...b/c apparently it rejuvenates my spirit :-). Today was good, today made me feel like a good mommy even though organizing and cleaning went out the window. We did do our reading lesson :-)....and they continue to amaze me!

Maybe next week I will physically be better enough to get out and about and ride bikes. Today I wasn't sure I could keep up...vacumming yesterday made me insanely tired!

Sorry there are no pictures...if I had taken a picture my hiding place would have been given away...and right now I have one they can not find! It's so funny! I can always find them, b/c they don't have a huge repetoire yet and there is always snickering and giggling :-).

Candyland...my son won, my daughter came in 2nd and I came in last....and no there was no manipulating of the cards ;-). It was a fair game.

The puppies castle is still standing...it's made out of the massive baby legos. There are tons of puppies sleeping in it tonight :-). My sweet babies. They are asleep together, of course. So much like having twins...they are eachothers best friends. I am so thankful for both of them...the silly girl who "doesn't like anything (yeah right)" and my serious boy who gets his feelings hurt so easily. What would I do without their precious smiles every morning and goodnight hugs and kisses every night? They are my world.

I will leave you with a few "funnies." They were eatng lunch today and my daughter said, "Mommy why don't you want dogs and daddy doesn't want anymore children?" I told her mommy doesn't want dogs, b/c animals make messes and we already ahve too many animals as it is (3 not including my 3 monkies (husband and 2 children) ). Daddy doesn't want more children, b/c he wants to be sure to have plenty of money to provide for the 2 he has. and my son said..."and he does except airplane tickets." My husband travels and every week they ask to go with daddy...and he tells him he wishes they could, but airplane tickets cost alot of money.

What is my problem with "A town"

So I was trying to decide why I can not stand the city my inlaws live in. I realized it is a combination of things. It is definetly dusty and dirty (so I feel I need 10 showers). I don't really like staying with people (although my brother in law and sister in law always have a very clean nice place...). The taste in my mouth I get when I think about going is so gross...I think that is the food. I am a weird vegetarian eater. I don't like salt (which is in processed foods...which I try to avoid), I don't like eating out (except for certain places )...those places have GOOD salad and/or soup. Here are the things I eat....Ceasar salad (not too strong...like Corner Bakery...yum), chick fil a's fruit and chicken salad (with the chicken removed)...and some chick fil a's have nasty lettuce...so even that can be hit or miss, plain pasta, baked potato, sweet potato (baked or fries), tomato basil soup, tomato bisque. I also eat fresh fruit...green beans (not canned I don't like canned foods)...oatmeal, malt o meal, cheerios....When we go we eat mainly junk....salty gross take out food. On the road, it's a long trip...always has been but seems even more so with 2 little people....and a husband who is barely home as it is. When you stop to go to the bathroom it's always a nasty truck stop. We get snacks in those...and it's junk...The packing and then coming home with TONS of dirty clothes and having to wash iron and then repack my husband so he can leave...It is a lot of work.

Yes, I think that is why I despise going SOOO much. I am a werid eating vegetarian hermit. I LOVE traveling, but I like to just be us (closed...not necessarily socializing and I am that comfortable with only a few people). I NEED REALLY NEED my privacy. I am NOT the same if I do not have space :-).

A Few Pictures....

Working hard on our dinosaurs

I love how innocent my children are...they were playing army men and I even let my son get a gun at the dollar store...but the enemies were dinosaurs, what else???

Naptime when Mommy was sick

One of my daughter's creative outfits....