This has been a busy, productive week. The kids are doing great in school. I put in 38.25 hours of work in 4 days. My laptop was sent away to the warranty doctor. It will not hold a charge and if the plug didn't have precise placement, the laptop would go off without any warning, due to not holding a charge. So, it shipped away on Tuesday.
My oldest got his tooth pulled on Monday. He did very well, until we left the dentist office. By the time we got home, which was less than a mile away, he was crying in pain. It was painful for me to watch and not be able to do anything. I had given him his pain medication before we went so that it would kick in by the time the tooth was pulled. The crying and pain seemed to last forever, but in reality it was probably only an hour. By the time the dentist office called and said I could also give him Motrin, and I left to buy it and come back, he was a lot better. He didn't even want the medicine. I was happy. His mouth bled for about 2 hours and I think I went through at least 15 gauze pads. Thank goodness for gauze! He ate bananas and ice cream for the rest of the day.
I went to the doctor on Tuesday. The non-stress test on the baby looked good. When I saw the perinatologist, they determined that they will do an amniocentesis in 3 weeks to determine if the baby's lungs are fully functioning. It will then be decided when she will be delivered. I look forward to meeting the little one! I want her to be full-term though, so past 37 weeks.
We went on a walk Tuesday night and brought Cheerios to feed the geese, ducks and swans. The geese and ducks loved the Cheerios, the swan was too busy grooming herself to even know we were there. She cleaned herself the whole time we were watching her. We all got a kick out of watching how she did. You would never imagine how well a swan can clean itself until you see it happen. That long neck makes it possible to get very clean.
Last night, my sister and I went grocery shopping. We got enough food for a week, what a wonderful feeling! I had been going daily for a few days, and it gets expensive... especially since I think I should replenish the ice cream regularly. I hate going grocery shopping, but I hadn't had enough time to make up a menu and figure out what to buy.
We went to feed the ducks that live here last night and there was none to be found. I wonder where they have wandered off too, or if it was just too late. It was more dark than dusk, so they may have went to wherever they sleep for the night. I haven't figured that out yet.
Today, my sister, my youngest and I rode the train down to Salt Lake. She met with my supervisor so she can start work soon. My supervisor wanted to meet my youngest son. It was so cute how they interacted together. I had made brownies to bring down for the co-workers and he insisted that he was starving, so he was eating one when we walked in. He got to meet my co-workers, I had told him that they are my friends that I hang out with when I am not at home. When my sister was speaking with my supervisor, we went outside and walked around. He did quite well on the train, but he didn't seem as impressed with it as I imagined.
I hope all of you have had a wonderful week!
Friday, September 16, 2011
Sunday, September 11, 2011
9/11/01-9/11/11 Ten Years Later -- Never Forget
It was a beautiful California morning, I woke up about 8 am, oblivious to what had been happening 3000 miles away in the state I had left a mere 3 1/2 months before. I was married 4 days before and very happily in the honeymoon phase. My husband and I were renting a room from a wonderful woman that is now a dear friend. She was crying and I wasn't sure what had happened. I asked her what happened, if there was anything that she needed, anything I could do. She then filled me in on everything that was happening in our country. She told me that airplanes had run into the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and one had crashed in Pennsylvania. I have to admit that it took what seemed like a minute or two to digest what I was being told. Tears welled up in my eyes. I stood there in disbelief, disbelief that this could happen to US, to our people, on our soil. Disbelief that some people could be so hateful, so evil, that they would take so many innocent lives. I had dated a man that lived in New York City. I stood on the observation deck of one of those Towers in October of 98. It was a magnificent view, you could see for miles upon miles, at every angle. To this day, it stuns me at how quickly they crumbled to the ground.
I wondered what would be next, if there was anywhere safe to be. I lived much closer to a big city than I had in a long time. I was living within a few miles of Sacramento, the capitol of California. How safe could I be? This was my next thought. My husband was taking a Political Science class at a local college. It started about an hour after we woke up. I had him call his school to find out if there were still going to be classes. To my surprise, he did still have class. So, I kissed him goodbye and he headed off.
I turned on the radio, we didn't have television service. In fact, I didn't see any footage until 2 days later, when I went to the gym. Until then, the news I got was from the radio. I heard the audio footage of people screaming and running. I heard them telling us that all planes were grounded because we didn't know how many had been or would be hijacked. I heard people sobbing, wondering where and how missing family members were. I heard about local blood drives, emergency blood drives, to get blood to people that were going to need it. This was something I could do, to help from thousands of miles away. I had donated blood in the past, I wanted to do something, and this is what I could do. I heard a location on a street that I knew, so I headed there. The line was backed up, it would be a few hours before I could donate, if it would be that day at all. I made an appointment to come back the next day.
My parents and my sister were still traveling home from my wedding. They had a cell phone. I had tried to get in contact with them for hours. If anyone remembers, cell service didn't work very well that day. I can understand why, everyone trying to make sure their loved ones were accounted for. When I finally got through, they were really close to Chicago, IL. When my parents travel, they don't listen to the radio. They talk and enjoy the scenery and the drive. Sometimes the radio will come on, but it is usually later in the day, but it hadn't been on at all that day. I told them what was going on. I could hear the disbelief and shock in the voices as Mom told my dad and sister. We hung up and they continued their drive. The next day when they had to return their rental car, it wasn't an easy task. Since they had rented it from an airport and the airports were closed. I guess that it took a while to figure out what they should do with this car. It did get taken care of.
When I finally saw television footage of the events, there were things on the TV that I would have never imagined. People jumping from buildings, dust clouds chasing people as they were running away from the falling buildings, bloody people helping other bloody people. So many images, so many terrible images, that had to be shown. I don't know that there would be any other way to report such a horrific event. We need to remember that day, we need to remember how much we love our country. All the flags that were waving in our front yards, the flags we bought and hung from our car windows, the t-shirts we bought with flags on them. The comraderie we felt as a nation. The togetherness, neighbor helping neighbor, neighbor speaking to neighbor, there was genuine love between people...regardless of political view, religious background, race.
Ten years later... I am still married to that husband. The honeymoon phase is over, reality has set in as far as that goes. We are expecting baby number four. Life is good, but like everyone else's it is not perfect. We drove home from work on Friday. It would be the last day of the weekday talk radio. My husband enjoys talk radio. He listens to Rod Arquette after work on his way home. Friday he was remember 9/11. I listened, tears rolling down my face... I hid it from my husband. I'm not sure why I didn't want him to know I was crying. As a mother now, hearing the terrible sounds of people crying out for their loved ones, people in so much pain, hearing the reports of the Towers being hit, falling down, absolutely broke my heart. Perhaps as a mother, I was understanding the pain of all the mothers that lost children they loved more than life that day. Perhaps as a wife, understanding how she woke up and kissed her husband goodbye, knowing fully well that he would be home that evening, and he would never again walk through their door. The tears flowed, like they never had before, remembering that day.
This morning I woke up, I made pancakes (plain and banana) for my family. I told my children about the events of ten years ago. I turned on the television to see some of the coverage. I listened to names being read. The names of peoples' loved ones, mothers, fathers, husbands, wives, sisters, brothers, best friends. I heard a mother talk about her son. I didn't catch the whole thing, but I know how very proud she is of him, how much he is missed and how much he is loved.
We must remember the troops, the many men and women, who signed up to serve our country. The people that have signed up before 9/11/01 and those that have signed up after. The troops who have given their lives to protect our freedom. We must support those men and women.
We must remember the firefighters, police officers, and other first responders, that went running into the buildings that day while others were running out. The ones that died doing what they believe in, trying to save the lives of others. We must remember the men and women that survived that day.
If anything, I would imagine that all the people that died that day, and the ones that have died fighting the battles of that day, would want us to love each other. Treat each other like we did those days, weeks and months after 9/11. They would want us to be a charitable nation. They would want us to raise each other up, instead of pushing each other down. They would want us to focus on service, being selfless, instead of being selfish. Let's remember the people on the flight that went down in Pennsylvania, they acted selflessly, knowing that their plane was probably going to take the lives of other innocent victims, took control and ran into the ground instead of another building.
Let's remember that we have our lives today, we don't know what will come tomorrow. Let's try to smile at someone that may need a smile in their lives. Let's be a friend to someone who could use a friend. Let's just remember that life is unpredictable and treat people like it may be the last time we may ever see them... and hope and pray it isn't.
I wondered what would be next, if there was anywhere safe to be. I lived much closer to a big city than I had in a long time. I was living within a few miles of Sacramento, the capitol of California. How safe could I be? This was my next thought. My husband was taking a Political Science class at a local college. It started about an hour after we woke up. I had him call his school to find out if there were still going to be classes. To my surprise, he did still have class. So, I kissed him goodbye and he headed off.
I turned on the radio, we didn't have television service. In fact, I didn't see any footage until 2 days later, when I went to the gym. Until then, the news I got was from the radio. I heard the audio footage of people screaming and running. I heard them telling us that all planes were grounded because we didn't know how many had been or would be hijacked. I heard people sobbing, wondering where and how missing family members were. I heard about local blood drives, emergency blood drives, to get blood to people that were going to need it. This was something I could do, to help from thousands of miles away. I had donated blood in the past, I wanted to do something, and this is what I could do. I heard a location on a street that I knew, so I headed there. The line was backed up, it would be a few hours before I could donate, if it would be that day at all. I made an appointment to come back the next day.
My parents and my sister were still traveling home from my wedding. They had a cell phone. I had tried to get in contact with them for hours. If anyone remembers, cell service didn't work very well that day. I can understand why, everyone trying to make sure their loved ones were accounted for. When I finally got through, they were really close to Chicago, IL. When my parents travel, they don't listen to the radio. They talk and enjoy the scenery and the drive. Sometimes the radio will come on, but it is usually later in the day, but it hadn't been on at all that day. I told them what was going on. I could hear the disbelief and shock in the voices as Mom told my dad and sister. We hung up and they continued their drive. The next day when they had to return their rental car, it wasn't an easy task. Since they had rented it from an airport and the airports were closed. I guess that it took a while to figure out what they should do with this car. It did get taken care of.
When I finally saw television footage of the events, there were things on the TV that I would have never imagined. People jumping from buildings, dust clouds chasing people as they were running away from the falling buildings, bloody people helping other bloody people. So many images, so many terrible images, that had to be shown. I don't know that there would be any other way to report such a horrific event. We need to remember that day, we need to remember how much we love our country. All the flags that were waving in our front yards, the flags we bought and hung from our car windows, the t-shirts we bought with flags on them. The comraderie we felt as a nation. The togetherness, neighbor helping neighbor, neighbor speaking to neighbor, there was genuine love between people...regardless of political view, religious background, race.
Ten years later... I am still married to that husband. The honeymoon phase is over, reality has set in as far as that goes. We are expecting baby number four. Life is good, but like everyone else's it is not perfect. We drove home from work on Friday. It would be the last day of the weekday talk radio. My husband enjoys talk radio. He listens to Rod Arquette after work on his way home. Friday he was remember 9/11. I listened, tears rolling down my face... I hid it from my husband. I'm not sure why I didn't want him to know I was crying. As a mother now, hearing the terrible sounds of people crying out for their loved ones, people in so much pain, hearing the reports of the Towers being hit, falling down, absolutely broke my heart. Perhaps as a mother, I was understanding the pain of all the mothers that lost children they loved more than life that day. Perhaps as a wife, understanding how she woke up and kissed her husband goodbye, knowing fully well that he would be home that evening, and he would never again walk through their door. The tears flowed, like they never had before, remembering that day.
This morning I woke up, I made pancakes (plain and banana) for my family. I told my children about the events of ten years ago. I turned on the television to see some of the coverage. I listened to names being read. The names of peoples' loved ones, mothers, fathers, husbands, wives, sisters, brothers, best friends. I heard a mother talk about her son. I didn't catch the whole thing, but I know how very proud she is of him, how much he is missed and how much he is loved.
We must remember the troops, the many men and women, who signed up to serve our country. The people that have signed up before 9/11/01 and those that have signed up after. The troops who have given their lives to protect our freedom. We must support those men and women.
We must remember the firefighters, police officers, and other first responders, that went running into the buildings that day while others were running out. The ones that died doing what they believe in, trying to save the lives of others. We must remember the men and women that survived that day.
If anything, I would imagine that all the people that died that day, and the ones that have died fighting the battles of that day, would want us to love each other. Treat each other like we did those days, weeks and months after 9/11. They would want us to be a charitable nation. They would want us to raise each other up, instead of pushing each other down. They would want us to focus on service, being selfless, instead of being selfish. Let's remember the people on the flight that went down in Pennsylvania, they acted selflessly, knowing that their plane was probably going to take the lives of other innocent victims, took control and ran into the ground instead of another building.
Let's remember that we have our lives today, we don't know what will come tomorrow. Let's try to smile at someone that may need a smile in their lives. Let's be a friend to someone who could use a friend. Let's just remember that life is unpredictable and treat people like it may be the last time we may ever see them... and hope and pray it isn't.
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Sleep Came Early...and the Smoking Television
No blog last night... I was really tired and the kids were sleeping by 9 pm, all of them. The youngest had fallen asleep around 8 pm. I didn't realize how tired I was, until I looked at the clock and it was a little after 9, and then I woke up at 10:45 pm. It had been a long week, the trip home on Monday was exhausting, and then putting in 40 hours of work over the next 4 days. I just needed to sleep and I wasn't going to fight it.
When I woke up at 10:45 pm, I turned on the television, expecting to put on something boring so that I could go back to sleep quickly. The complete opposite occured. I turned it on and David Letterman was on my screen, but in a completely distorted view. I kept looking at it for several seconds, tried to turn up the volume to see what was going on, and then tried to flip the channel. The sound didn't go up, but the channel did change. It was a Spanish channel, but still completed distorted. The screen then started flickering, with a rainbow looking flash in the middle. This all happened within a minute of turning on the televison.
I turned off the television, and in all my wisdom, turned it back on. I thought it was just a momentary problem that would correct itself. I was sadly mistaken. There was no picture, except for the flickering, rainbow thing in middle of the set. Then I started to smell smoke... the scent of an electric problem radiating from my television. I turned it back off and unplugged it. Then I posted a note and hung it front of the television stating not to plug it in, that it was ruined and smoking. Just in case one of the kids wanted to watch TV this morning and I didn't notice.
I had many strange dreams about televisions once I fell back to sleep. It is odd how those kinds of things can cause the subconscious to unleash. I don't know that I have ever actually dreamed about a television, until last night, when I must have dreamed at least 5 different times about different television scenarios.
When I woke up this morning, I went and got our older television out of my sons' room (they had it in there for their Nintendo 64 console), and hooked it up out here, after moving the broken one off the stand. I wouldn't want to cause the children to not watch the Nick saturday morning cartoon lineup. As I sit here writing the blog, they are watching TUFF Puppy.
Today, I need to get some housework done, including laundry. It is not ever my favorite thing to do, since we need to bring it to the apartment complex laundry room, which is on the other side of the complex. I drive over there, because I am not going to walk with a ton of laundry, and toss it in. Leave my vehicle there, walk back here, go back and toss it in the dryer, walk back here, go fold it, put it back in the vehicle, and drive back here and carry it up the stairs to the apartment. Not fun, but necessary!
When I woke up at 10:45 pm, I turned on the television, expecting to put on something boring so that I could go back to sleep quickly. The complete opposite occured. I turned it on and David Letterman was on my screen, but in a completely distorted view. I kept looking at it for several seconds, tried to turn up the volume to see what was going on, and then tried to flip the channel. The sound didn't go up, but the channel did change. It was a Spanish channel, but still completed distorted. The screen then started flickering, with a rainbow looking flash in the middle. This all happened within a minute of turning on the televison.
I turned off the television, and in all my wisdom, turned it back on. I thought it was just a momentary problem that would correct itself. I was sadly mistaken. There was no picture, except for the flickering, rainbow thing in middle of the set. Then I started to smell smoke... the scent of an electric problem radiating from my television. I turned it back off and unplugged it. Then I posted a note and hung it front of the television stating not to plug it in, that it was ruined and smoking. Just in case one of the kids wanted to watch TV this morning and I didn't notice.
I had many strange dreams about televisions once I fell back to sleep. It is odd how those kinds of things can cause the subconscious to unleash. I don't know that I have ever actually dreamed about a television, until last night, when I must have dreamed at least 5 different times about different television scenarios.
When I woke up this morning, I went and got our older television out of my sons' room (they had it in there for their Nintendo 64 console), and hooked it up out here, after moving the broken one off the stand. I wouldn't want to cause the children to not watch the Nick saturday morning cartoon lineup. As I sit here writing the blog, they are watching TUFF Puppy.
Today, I need to get some housework done, including laundry. It is not ever my favorite thing to do, since we need to bring it to the apartment complex laundry room, which is on the other side of the complex. I drive over there, because I am not going to walk with a ton of laundry, and toss it in. Leave my vehicle there, walk back here, go back and toss it in the dryer, walk back here, go fold it, put it back in the vehicle, and drive back here and carry it up the stairs to the apartment. Not fun, but necessary!
Thursday, September 8, 2011
The Missing Nikes, The Abscess Tooth, and The Midnight Snacker
When we got home from Washington on Monday night, I had my children get ready for school. I always have them show me what they are wearing, down to the underwear, socks and shoes. I don't want to leave anything up in the air for their Aunt to have to worry about as she tries to get them off school. My daughter brought me everything except for shoes. I asked her where her shoes were. That is when she started to cry. I knew this wasn't a good thing; it was obvious they weren't tears of joy. She started to explain to me that she left them outside when we left for our trip the previous Friday. I have to admit, I was annoyed. I had her go and look for them, she brought her aunt. They were not where she left them. I told her that probably one of her friends brought them inside for her.
She cried and cried. She explained to her dad that they are special shoes, that her Uncle Bob bought for her. She wanted "tie shoes," not velcro. Her other sneakers are velcro. I told her to pray for them and that I would too. Tuesday rolled around, I had her ask friends if they had put her shoes in their houses. None of them had. We continued to pray, no one wants to lose their special shoes! Wednesday, after my date with my husband, I saw that her shoes were in the corner. I was really happy for her and so was she. I asked if one of her friends had them, she said no, that they were outside. I was just happy that she had them back and for the answer to the prayers.
As I mentioned yesterday, my oldest son has an abscess tooth. I was sure that it was just a cavity, until he was up off and on from 1 to 4:30 am Wednesday morning. Something told me at 4:30 am that he had an abscess and that I had to get him to the dentist. I tried to figure out who our dental insurance is through. No one could answer that question at that time of the day, just a whole lot of digital voices answering phones and asking you to say something or the other or press something or the other. I finally got through to a live person at 6 am, on the way to work, and found out who the insurance is through at my husband's work. It took another 3 hours to get through to the dental office. They got him in that day and my sister was kind enough to bring him. I mad the appointment for his extraction; the earliest they could get him in is Monday. I will be there with him during the process.
My sister reminded me tonight that it will be "fun" trying to make sure he doesn't get a dry socket. That is definitely the last thing a little guy needs. When I was in college, I had my wisdom teeth pulled. I don't know what the doctor was thinking, but he told me to be sure to drink with straws. Perhaps he hated me, or I was so drugged I misunderstood?! Everything I have heard since then, straws are a huge no-no. Dry sockets are incredibly painful!
My midnight snacker, who is my youngest fella cannot go to sleep without having something to eat. He is hilarious how he explains what he wants to eat. He tells us that he is going to have a baby. His babies are blue and yellow. He tells us that his babies want cheese, or cereal, or carrots, or whatever it is that he wants at that moment. He eats until he is full and then tells us that his babies don't want to eat any more. Sometimes as he eats, his eyes start closing. I have to keep him talking until the food is out of his mouth. I worry about him eating while he sleeps. He is too old to stick my fingers in his mouth to fish food out. I learned that lesson a few months ago when I practically had to pry his jaws open to scoop something out. He has too many teeth to do that too. Never fun to get bit!
Well, football season has begun and the first game just got over. I didn't think it would be such a high scoring game. I am a Buffalo Bills fan and a San Diego Chargers fan. I love football and always look forward to the season. Sundays has always involved watching games. Finally, there will be something good to watch on Sunday again!
She cried and cried. She explained to her dad that they are special shoes, that her Uncle Bob bought for her. She wanted "tie shoes," not velcro. Her other sneakers are velcro. I told her to pray for them and that I would too. Tuesday rolled around, I had her ask friends if they had put her shoes in their houses. None of them had. We continued to pray, no one wants to lose their special shoes! Wednesday, after my date with my husband, I saw that her shoes were in the corner. I was really happy for her and so was she. I asked if one of her friends had them, she said no, that they were outside. I was just happy that she had them back and for the answer to the prayers.
As I mentioned yesterday, my oldest son has an abscess tooth. I was sure that it was just a cavity, until he was up off and on from 1 to 4:30 am Wednesday morning. Something told me at 4:30 am that he had an abscess and that I had to get him to the dentist. I tried to figure out who our dental insurance is through. No one could answer that question at that time of the day, just a whole lot of digital voices answering phones and asking you to say something or the other or press something or the other. I finally got through to a live person at 6 am, on the way to work, and found out who the insurance is through at my husband's work. It took another 3 hours to get through to the dental office. They got him in that day and my sister was kind enough to bring him. I mad the appointment for his extraction; the earliest they could get him in is Monday. I will be there with him during the process.
My sister reminded me tonight that it will be "fun" trying to make sure he doesn't get a dry socket. That is definitely the last thing a little guy needs. When I was in college, I had my wisdom teeth pulled. I don't know what the doctor was thinking, but he told me to be sure to drink with straws. Perhaps he hated me, or I was so drugged I misunderstood?! Everything I have heard since then, straws are a huge no-no. Dry sockets are incredibly painful!
My midnight snacker, who is my youngest fella cannot go to sleep without having something to eat. He is hilarious how he explains what he wants to eat. He tells us that he is going to have a baby. His babies are blue and yellow. He tells us that his babies want cheese, or cereal, or carrots, or whatever it is that he wants at that moment. He eats until he is full and then tells us that his babies don't want to eat any more. Sometimes as he eats, his eyes start closing. I have to keep him talking until the food is out of his mouth. I worry about him eating while he sleeps. He is too old to stick my fingers in his mouth to fish food out. I learned that lesson a few months ago when I practically had to pry his jaws open to scoop something out. He has too many teeth to do that too. Never fun to get bit!
Well, football season has begun and the first game just got over. I didn't think it would be such a high scoring game. I am a Buffalo Bills fan and a San Diego Chargers fan. I love football and always look forward to the season. Sundays has always involved watching games. Finally, there will be something good to watch on Sunday again!
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Ten Year Anniversary!
Today my husband and I celebrated ten years together. We woke up a little after 5 am, got ready for work, and drove the 30 minute commute together. He dropped me off in front of my workplace and continued on to his. We didn't speak again til about 3:40 pm, when he called to see if I was already home or if I needed a ride. I needed a ride. He came and picked me up and we headed off to doctor's appointments. I had a fetal non-stress test and then saw my midwife. The baby looks fine, which is always good news.
We then headed to a local buffet in town which makes the best scones around. I ate more than I should have, the food was good. We arrived back at the house a little before 7:30 pm. My sister was kind enough to watch the children even after work hours so my husband and I could go to the appointments and out to eat.
Ten years ago today was a very exciting day. My sister and I went and got our hair done and manicures and pedicures. She was my maid of honor. We had to go buy shoes (you never remember everything) also. My parents and my sister drove from NY to be at our wedding in Reno NV. We decided to get married on September 7, but the date was chosen on September 4. That gave them 3 days to get there, they arrived on September 6. We hung out in Reno that night.
My older brother, my grandfather, and my aunt and uncle, as well as a dear friend who I was renting a room from were also there. My husband's grandmother, his parents, brother and sister, and his best friend were in attendance. It was a wonderful turn out for short notice. I have never really been one to want to be the center of attention so it worked out well for me. We were married at a wedding chapel in Reno, NV. My grandfather's sister, Mary Jane, let us use her house for the reception afterward. My grandfather had made and decorated the cake.
I am so thankful that I met such a wonderful man 10 years and 4 months ago. Yes, it was a short engagement, before we were married, but when you know it is the right person, you just know. Life has been good to us. We have been blessed with 3 healthy children who love our Heavenly Father and love us. They treat each other well. We have our little one on the way, who had good reports at the appointments today. I am so thankful for everyday I have with him and with my family. I have truly been blessed.
I want to thank my husband for 10 wonderful years! I look forward to an eternity! Love you and Happy Anniversary!
We then headed to a local buffet in town which makes the best scones around. I ate more than I should have, the food was good. We arrived back at the house a little before 7:30 pm. My sister was kind enough to watch the children even after work hours so my husband and I could go to the appointments and out to eat.
Ten years ago today was a very exciting day. My sister and I went and got our hair done and manicures and pedicures. She was my maid of honor. We had to go buy shoes (you never remember everything) also. My parents and my sister drove from NY to be at our wedding in Reno NV. We decided to get married on September 7, but the date was chosen on September 4. That gave them 3 days to get there, they arrived on September 6. We hung out in Reno that night.
My older brother, my grandfather, and my aunt and uncle, as well as a dear friend who I was renting a room from were also there. My husband's grandmother, his parents, brother and sister, and his best friend were in attendance. It was a wonderful turn out for short notice. I have never really been one to want to be the center of attention so it worked out well for me. We were married at a wedding chapel in Reno, NV. My grandfather's sister, Mary Jane, let us use her house for the reception afterward. My grandfather had made and decorated the cake.
I am so thankful that I met such a wonderful man 10 years and 4 months ago. Yes, it was a short engagement, before we were married, but when you know it is the right person, you just know. Life has been good to us. We have been blessed with 3 healthy children who love our Heavenly Father and love us. They treat each other well. We have our little one on the way, who had good reports at the appointments today. I am so thankful for everyday I have with him and with my family. I have truly been blessed.
I want to thank my husband for 10 wonderful years! I look forward to an eternity! Love you and Happy Anniversary!
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
The Long and Fun Weekend
This past weekend, my kids, my husband, my sister and I went on a little trip to see my big brother, his wife and kids. We left on Friday when my husband got home from work. We had a couple little setback, so we didn't head out exactly when planned, but we did pretty good.
I had my oldest son bring the snacks (in a little plastic grocery bag) to the van so we would have some things to munch on, as needed. This was the first setback. He thought it was trash and ran it right to the dumpster and tossed that in... as well as the Nintendo DS he was holding. So, the plastic bag was easy to retrieve, it was right at the top of everything since it had just been deposited. The DS, not so easy to retrieve. It took a good 15 minutes or so. First I tried holding his legs because he would be able to reach it, but he didn't trust me enough to not let him fall in. It got knocked down further. I went to see if we could borrow someone's long grabber thing, but by the time I found someone that would bring it over, my husband had helped my son get the DS. The trip would not go so well knowing that the DS was being served to the landfill. The other setback was that my husband couldn't find any of his hats. That took a little while to solve also and then we hit the road.
We drove for 8 hours that night and ended up in a little hotel room with beds that were too soft. My back enjoys firm beds, and seems to enjoy them even more when 33 weeks pregnant. We finally all fell to sleep and slept well til the morning. My daughter didn't even remember my youngest son falling out of bed and landing on top of her. That is what woke me up at 6 am for the rest of the day. We headed out by a little after 7 am and were to my brother's house by 9:45 am. The hotel had a free continental breakfast. It wasn't very impressive which caused my oldest son to announce that it was a 1 star hotel. He gives things stars based on the food that is served... buffets always get 5 stars. I was humiliated, but that is how we learn.
When we arrived at my brother's house, we didn't see a vehicle there, so my husband and kids went out back. Their cousins were very happy to see them in their backyard. My oldest nephew is old enough to watch the kids (which I often forget, where does time go anyway?!) so I didn't even think they would be home. My sister-in-law and brother arrived home shortly thereafter. My brother had to bring the boy scouts to an archery range to earn a badge or something and my sister-in-law was running a quick errand.
That day the kids played outside for hours. This is the second time they have been together in 4 months. They love having time to be together. We had tuna fish sandwiches for lunch. My brother and husband brought the older kids to the archery range where they got to learn the rules of the range and got to shoot some arrows. I guess my daughter was a really good shot from 10 yards away. My nephew watched the kids later that evening while we went out to Mongolian Barbecue. I had never had it until I was visiting them in May. It is a very impressive dinner and it is interesting to see them cooking it on the grill.
On Sunday, my sister-in-law made pancakes with bacon. It was a delicious breakfast. I ate more than I should have, but I enjoyed every bite of it. We had church from 11-2 pm and then went to the Temple to walk around and get pictures afterward. Upon arrival back at the house, we had leftover Mongolian Barbecue for lunch. We sat around and talked for hours while the children played outside. I made a mistake and took a nap, a long nap, and ended up staying up til 1 am (Pacific time), which is 2 am my time. That was not a good thing. When I woke up it was time to start thinking about dinner. My brother grilled steak and squash on his grill. My sister-in-law made French fries and corn on the cob inside. It was an amazing dinner! Then came out my sister's surprise birthday cake. It was made at Costco, chocolate cake, 4 layers with chocolate chunks around the outside and fudge between the layers. If it weren't so rich, I think I would have eaten the whole thing. She was very surprised.
My sister-in-law and I stayed up talking until 1 am. The children went to sleep around 10 and it was very nice to get to visit without noise for a while. I think my brother, sister and husband all fell to sleep around 11. I planned to leave by 7 their time, but it was a little after 8 am when we finally left. I woke up at 6:50 am officially. My son woke me up an hour before to get medicine for a toothache. I had a piece of that cake for breakfast (it is so yummy!). We kissed everyone goodbye and jumped in the van. I drove the whole way home, we got here about 8:30 pm. There were a few stops on the way... potty breaks, a stop at the Boise Mall for something my sister has wanted forever, to buy gas and to grab food and keep going. It was a longer trip home than previously, but it was well worth the trip to get to see the family.
I had my oldest son bring the snacks (in a little plastic grocery bag) to the van so we would have some things to munch on, as needed. This was the first setback. He thought it was trash and ran it right to the dumpster and tossed that in... as well as the Nintendo DS he was holding. So, the plastic bag was easy to retrieve, it was right at the top of everything since it had just been deposited. The DS, not so easy to retrieve. It took a good 15 minutes or so. First I tried holding his legs because he would be able to reach it, but he didn't trust me enough to not let him fall in. It got knocked down further. I went to see if we could borrow someone's long grabber thing, but by the time I found someone that would bring it over, my husband had helped my son get the DS. The trip would not go so well knowing that the DS was being served to the landfill. The other setback was that my husband couldn't find any of his hats. That took a little while to solve also and then we hit the road.
We drove for 8 hours that night and ended up in a little hotel room with beds that were too soft. My back enjoys firm beds, and seems to enjoy them even more when 33 weeks pregnant. We finally all fell to sleep and slept well til the morning. My daughter didn't even remember my youngest son falling out of bed and landing on top of her. That is what woke me up at 6 am for the rest of the day. We headed out by a little after 7 am and were to my brother's house by 9:45 am. The hotel had a free continental breakfast. It wasn't very impressive which caused my oldest son to announce that it was a 1 star hotel. He gives things stars based on the food that is served... buffets always get 5 stars. I was humiliated, but that is how we learn.
When we arrived at my brother's house, we didn't see a vehicle there, so my husband and kids went out back. Their cousins were very happy to see them in their backyard. My oldest nephew is old enough to watch the kids (which I often forget, where does time go anyway?!) so I didn't even think they would be home. My sister-in-law and brother arrived home shortly thereafter. My brother had to bring the boy scouts to an archery range to earn a badge or something and my sister-in-law was running a quick errand.
That day the kids played outside for hours. This is the second time they have been together in 4 months. They love having time to be together. We had tuna fish sandwiches for lunch. My brother and husband brought the older kids to the archery range where they got to learn the rules of the range and got to shoot some arrows. I guess my daughter was a really good shot from 10 yards away. My nephew watched the kids later that evening while we went out to Mongolian Barbecue. I had never had it until I was visiting them in May. It is a very impressive dinner and it is interesting to see them cooking it on the grill.
On Sunday, my sister-in-law made pancakes with bacon. It was a delicious breakfast. I ate more than I should have, but I enjoyed every bite of it. We had church from 11-2 pm and then went to the Temple to walk around and get pictures afterward. Upon arrival back at the house, we had leftover Mongolian Barbecue for lunch. We sat around and talked for hours while the children played outside. I made a mistake and took a nap, a long nap, and ended up staying up til 1 am (Pacific time), which is 2 am my time. That was not a good thing. When I woke up it was time to start thinking about dinner. My brother grilled steak and squash on his grill. My sister-in-law made French fries and corn on the cob inside. It was an amazing dinner! Then came out my sister's surprise birthday cake. It was made at Costco, chocolate cake, 4 layers with chocolate chunks around the outside and fudge between the layers. If it weren't so rich, I think I would have eaten the whole thing. She was very surprised.
My sister-in-law and I stayed up talking until 1 am. The children went to sleep around 10 and it was very nice to get to visit without noise for a while. I think my brother, sister and husband all fell to sleep around 11. I planned to leave by 7 their time, but it was a little after 8 am when we finally left. I woke up at 6:50 am officially. My son woke me up an hour before to get medicine for a toothache. I had a piece of that cake for breakfast (it is so yummy!). We kissed everyone goodbye and jumped in the van. I drove the whole way home, we got here about 8:30 pm. There were a few stops on the way... potty breaks, a stop at the Boise Mall for something my sister has wanted forever, to buy gas and to grab food and keep going. It was a longer trip home than previously, but it was well worth the trip to get to see the family.
Thursday, September 1, 2011
TV Time Has Changed...
Is it just me, or has being a mommy (or any adult around children a lot) changed anyone else's television viewing habits? I used to be one that would watch Days of our Lives daily. I started watching it in college and finished watching it the day my youngest son was born. So, I watched it for a good 11 to 12 years. Yes, I would miss episodes, but I could turn on the television and figure out whatever it was that I missed prior.
I used to watch the night-time lineups, the shows that wouldn't be appropriate for children to watch because of the adult content. In college, I don't think I missed a single episode of Friends. Now, I can't even tell you what shows are on what nights. Although, I have to admit, I do watch Biggest Loser, and my sister got me watching Bones and NCIS during the final couple weeks of last season. I will probably watch these when they start the new season. I am also a huge sport's fan. I will put it on ESPN to watch whatever is on, or whatever NFL, NBA, or MLB game is on.
Since having children, I have tuned into Nickelodeon, Disney, PBS Kids, and Cartoon Network (CN has only been recently for Looney Tunes, Tom and Jerry, and Johnny Test, for the most part). I never had any desire to know about SpongeBob SquarePants, The Fairly OddParents, Phineas and Ferb, Ni-Hao Kailan, etc. Those are just a few of the shows that are favorites among my children. I never envisioned myself as actually sitting down and watching these shows and enjoying them. I have even noticed that some of the episodes I will continue to watch, even if the children leave the room.
I enjoy having my children sitting around me as we watch cartoons. There is nothing like hearing them laugh at the funny parts. Hearing them laugh makes me laugh even if something wasn't funny to me. It is amazing how hearing the laughter of a child can change your whole day! It is fun to hear them discussing the cartoons with each other. They discuss aspects of the shows I would have never even thought about again.
I used to watch the night-time lineups, the shows that wouldn't be appropriate for children to watch because of the adult content. In college, I don't think I missed a single episode of Friends. Now, I can't even tell you what shows are on what nights. Although, I have to admit, I do watch Biggest Loser, and my sister got me watching Bones and NCIS during the final couple weeks of last season. I will probably watch these when they start the new season. I am also a huge sport's fan. I will put it on ESPN to watch whatever is on, or whatever NFL, NBA, or MLB game is on.
Since having children, I have tuned into Nickelodeon, Disney, PBS Kids, and Cartoon Network (CN has only been recently for Looney Tunes, Tom and Jerry, and Johnny Test, for the most part). I never had any desire to know about SpongeBob SquarePants, The Fairly OddParents, Phineas and Ferb, Ni-Hao Kailan, etc. Those are just a few of the shows that are favorites among my children. I never envisioned myself as actually sitting down and watching these shows and enjoying them. I have even noticed that some of the episodes I will continue to watch, even if the children leave the room.
I enjoy having my children sitting around me as we watch cartoons. There is nothing like hearing them laugh at the funny parts. Hearing them laugh makes me laugh even if something wasn't funny to me. It is amazing how hearing the laughter of a child can change your whole day! It is fun to hear them discussing the cartoons with each other. They discuss aspects of the shows I would have never even thought about again.
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