Tidbits and Such

1. AJU5 is not really aware of what "racing" really means. Recently at Cubbies they were having races, and she was happily running where she should without a bit of urgency. I don't mind it really - it means she isn't super competitive and likes to just play along. But, it is funny to watch when she has no clue she should be trying to beat the others!

2. AJU6 is SLOWLY potty training. Part of me wants to push it and get him trained, but part of me doesn't want to. The whole needing to go potty in a store is a PAIN with a younger child in tow as well. So, it is easier for him to be in diapers for that reason. But I am tired of changing his diapers. Oh, and I am not sure how his pants will stay up when he is out of diapers... some of his 24M shorts are already falling off even with a very fluffy (cloth diaper) rear.

3. I hate trying to get out of the house with 3 kids these days. The biggest issue is finding a time when the older two won't fall asleep in the car. We still go lots of places. But, I just don't like the "stress" of finding a time to go. Luckily some things are scheduled so the time is already set. The biggest downside of AJU6 falling asleep in the car is that he doesn't transfer well. So, that means the car nap is often all he gets (which isn't enough). It also means there isn't any "me" time when that happens too - when the younger two are napping. Luckily it is almost summer, which means most of our activities are drawing to a close. Hopefully by fall AJU6 won't fall asleep int he car if we leave before noon...

4. Finding time to work out is getting harder. Like I said above, getting AJU6 to nap if we have errands to run is almost impossible. That means on those days I can't do the work out normally. We have gone for a walk once, but it isn't easy to go with 3 kids. I wish they made a "jogging" stroller with a jump seat I think. AJU7 isn't terribly happy in a carrier (except hip carry), so I need a "seat" for three kids most of the time...

Thwart by a Bug

Also - How to Second Guess Yourself and an Apology (again)

Today was supposed to be day 1 of swim lessons for the kids, but we aren't going. AJU5 is sick :( Yesterday she woke up with a fever and complaining about her throat. I gave her some benadryl and advil, and she napped. By the end of the nap and a little TV, her fever was gone and her throat didn't hurt. But, I guessed (and was right) it was just the medicine. Her fever came back as the Advil wore off, but we waited until she wasn't comfortable to give her more. The throat wasn't bothering her, and now her complaints were her nose (which was congested/runny the whole time) and her mouth. She slept and watched TV all afternoon, and with a second dose of Advil in full swing, she was a little more herself in the evening. Her fever didn't drop completely, but she wanted to play "person game" (Chutes and Ladders), and she was up and moving at least. She had been drinking all day and even snacking a little, so I wasn't too worried. She got some more benadryl and tylenol before bed, and we were praying by morning she would be fine.

Around 3am, she cried enough for me to get out of bed (i.e. it wasn't just a dream cry). It turns out either she coughed up a little crud or her nose ran enough on her pillow to bother her. Since it was dark, I thought it was worse than it was until I got to the bathroom and just saw a little snot in a few places on her pillow. Luckily there is a second pillow on her bed, and she went back to sleep. Well, for an hour at least. Then she joined up in bed, asking for some milk. She was half awake from then until 5 I think, and then she pretty much slept until 8. Periodically I would check her temperature this morning. First it was 100. something. I was happy - I could deal with that. About 45 minutes later I checked again and it was 105. I was worried. Luckily I checked about 2 minutes later and it was down to 101. I checked again about 30 minutes later, and I got temperatures between 102 and 103. So, I knew it was time for Advil again. After with more Advil and milk in her system, she asked to be carried downstairs to watch her favorite TV show (which today appears to be Curious George). She is sitting up about 1/3 of the time and zombie-like the rest of the time. Hopefully once the Advil is in full affect, she will have a little energy....

I definitely have been second guessing myself with her and this bug. First I was afraid it might be strep, but I quick look online revealed that wasn't likely due to the congestion. And since her throat isn't bothering her anymore, I have ruled that out. Now it is the bug (virus) vs. infection debate. Is it worth going to the doctor? If it is just a virus, they won't be able to say or do much to help. But, if it is an infection, we could get medicine. I know it isn't a sinus infection (still running clear), and there is no stomach issues. So, it is just a head "disease" of some sort. Right now I am thinking virus and praying it is over by morning...

And today I realized once again I have been terrible at commenting on blogs. I gave up and closed about 10-15 tabs in Firefox, all of blogs I had opened and meant to comment on. But, when I am on the third row of tabs (and I have a wide-screen monitor), it is just too overwhelming. So, I cleared the deck and hopefully I can try to stay on top of them now!

Slacking - Again!

I can't believe it has taken me this long to blog - AGAIN! I have had posts in my head, but I havne't sat down at the computer to type them for one reason or another.

Summer is in swing around here. We bought a plastic baby pool last week, and the kids like it. AJU6 is actually more of a fan of getting in than AJU5 it seems, but I guess part of it might be he doesn't care if his clothes get wet. AJU5 on the other hand requires her swimsuit to get in, and the thought of changing out of her dress isn't always desirable. I also signed "us" up for two sessions of swim lessons this summer. AJU5 will be in a preschool class, and AJU6 will be with me in a parent/tot class. I used to teach swim lessons, and I hated the parent/tot classes! But, I know he won't be happy watching her and taking them to the pool alone is a pain, so I decided to let him have some fun too (my husband isn't a big pool fan...).

We also planted a garden, as our backyard transformation is almost done. We have sunflowers, corn, beans, radishes, tomatoes, pumpkin, watermelon, strawberries, lettuce, peas, and bell peppers (I think). Most we started as seeds, and we are getting seedlings already so we are happy. Hopefully we will produce something this year!

Oh, and now I have been labeled a "cloth diaper expert." I am a page administrator for two Facebook pages about cloth diapers now. I get a little money to feed my addiction there, and it is easy work. I just have to answer questions as they are asked (and check in at least twice a day for said questions). The funny thing is 14 months ago I had very little clue about cloth diapers. I knew there were cute/colorful covers and you put things in them. Now I know most/all of the lingo and have tried out a good number of them (and want to try more but am not willing to spend the money YET).

Well, I think that is it. How is your summer going?

Life Is Precious

I just found out one of my aunts passed away this morning. About a month ago she became very sick. They quickly learned that her bone marrow was no longer creating new blood cells like it should, an effect of cancer treatment about 30 years ago for lymphoma. She was actually the only person alive still that had received the treatment. She had blood transfusions and started to be stable. Then they did chemotherapy to try and get the bone marrow to work and fight any cancer that may be coming back. After one round of treatment, she said she was done. The side effects were just too great. She would rather spend her last days healthy than sick. She was still willing to get blood transfusions, but she was done with everything else.

She didn't want anyone to visit. Her younger sister (there are three sisters and two brothers in my mom's family) forced her way in because she lives in the same area. But, she didn't want my mom or her brothers to come visit. I know this is probably really hard on my mom. I found out from Facebook, as my mom posted on my wall about the death...

Life had finally returned to something they wanted. They had a grandson they got to see regularly after "loosing" their other grandkids after their son had a head injury that completely changed him (resulted in a divorce and the kids' mom moving them across country and making visits and contact difficult). They were enjoying life. And then this happened.

It really makes you realize how savoring every day is important. We need to live life like today may be the last. That doesn't mean we do anything crazy thinking today IS our last day. But, we need to accept that today MAY be our last day. Or it may be the last day for someone we love.

Are you ready?

Egg Issues (and Apology)

First, let me apologize for being such a bad blogger lately. Not only have I not written, I haven't commented much either! I will sort of blame the kids. They are rarely giving me any time at the computer these days, as they both like to use the mouse and keyboard. So, I only get a few minutes here and there between 6:30am and 8:15pm most days. Oh, and they refuse to nap at the same time. AJU6 naps in the morning (he is down by 10 at the latest), and if AJU5 naps, it isn't until after 1 (normally after 2 or 3). So, yeah, no time to sit, read, AND type. I have been reading all of your posts, but I just never find a few moment to type without little fingers trying to "help" me with it...

So, on to today's adventures. We are going to dye eggs for the first time as a "family." First issue: forgetting to watch the eggs while cooking. Luckily only 2 eggs (out of 14) were cracked, but the water when I went to turn it off made it look like all of them were ruined. Luckily the second batch was perfect. Second fun: AJU5 found one of the cracked eggs on the counter. I let her look at it as I put AJU6 down for a nap. Then she met me upstairs without the egg. I forgot about it until I saw a Faceb00k post about eggs. I asked her where it was. Luckily she had put it back on the counter. But, she had investigated it for sure! She tried to eat it without pealing. I was trying to figure out why she was telling me about crunchy bits on the way to the kitchen... So I peeled it for her, and she was a lot happier! Hopefully the afternoon won't be so interesting!

Private Businesses (and Individuals) and Their Rights

It is becoming more and more common for private institutions - whether they be businesses, schools, or families - to be "raked over the coals" for religious beliefs. It is to the point that private institutions are losing many freedoms I don't think they should.

Personally, I think any private institution that makes its belives public knowledge (stated clearly and easily found) should be able to act on those views and beliefs as long as they don't cause harm to others and other "businesses" exist to meet the needs of those that disagree.

In 2008, a photographer was sued because she refused to photograph a same sex commitment ceremony. The only thing the same sex couple was "out" was the time to look at a webpage, write two emails, and read two emails. Yet, they won a court case and were awarded over $6000. Really - would they have wanted that photographer if she was not comfortable with the event? I don't think her photos would be the quality they would have wanted because she heart wouldn't be into her artistic work. And this wasn't in a small town where there are only a few photographers. So, they easily could have found someone else. But, according to the courts, the photographer discriminated and hence was wrong.

Recently there have been two companies that have taken heat over the same issue - one on each side. Chick-fil-a has lost customers because a franchise donated free food to a marriage conference that was openly against same sex marriage. As part of the controversy, the owners of Chick-fil-a made it clear that they do not support same sex marriage, and as a result many have been up in arms. Does Chick-fil-a refuse to serve homosexuals? No. Home Depot on the other hand has financially supported same-sex organizations and legislation. So, some people who hold to the other side choose not to shop there. Again - does Home Depot refuse to sell items to those who want marriage to be defined as a union between 1 man and 1 woman? No. I am glad (for now) this is just a case of people spending money where they want. I think this is how it should be. Although both companies haven't made it totally clear to the public their stances, the public is spreading the word and making their own decisions utilizing our free-market economy.

BYU was under a little heat recently for putting its star basketball play on probation for breaking the school's honor code. This college student had sex outside of marriage, and as a result suffered the consequences. No one at BYU is crying foul because the player knew the rules. But, those on the outside looking in are saying BYU's rules are wrong. They claim it isn't fair to expect students to not have sex. I disagree. First, there are many other schools this gentleman could have gone to. He would have gotten a free ride at MANY schools around the nation. But, he chose to go to BYU. He knew going in what was expected of him. He broke the rules and is accepting the punishment. And, it was either him or his girlfriend that told the school - it isn't like they have people going around watching them 24-7. It is an honor code, and they chose to be honorable and turn themselves in.

In the UK, many similar things are going on, and it is probably worse than the US. One human rights organization said that Christian foster parents "infect" foster children with moral values. This is the same organization that is helping a same sex couple file an appeal after being awarded "only" 6300 pounds (over $10,000) in a lawsuit because the judge took into account that the company owners were in fact acting on sincere religious convictions when refusing service instead of "just" discriminating against the couple.

I would even argue that restaurants should be able to allow smoking if they want to. Now, there must be signs posted EVERYWHERE letting potential customers know of the rules. But, if the customers and workers knew of the rules before entering the establishment, I don't have a problem with it. I see so many restaurant workers smoking outside restaurants that I don't think there would be a lack of workers. And if people wanted to be around the stench of smoke while they ate - then let them do so. Personally, I wouldn't go near the place...

What is your take? How far should the government regulate what private businesses do?

Keeping Me on My Toes on a Sunday

I definitely didn't have a restful Sunday yesterday. It wasn't a bad Sunday, but it was full of "fun."

It started with AJU6 joining us in bed around 2. He had been doing this for a few days because of allergies (it is very hard to suck on a paci when your nose is stuffed up). Luckily, AJU1 realized I was SO tired since I had dealt with him the past few nights that he took him. AJU6 likes to be touching you as he sleeps, and half of the time he wants his head on some part of your body. This makes it really hard to find a comfortable position and has resulted in much lost sleep. (Last night I gave up and gave him a small dose of Benadryl before bed so we could all get one good night of sleep, but I don't want to give him drugs every night. Ugh.)

We got up a little earlier than normal because with AJU6 in bed with us, AJU5 couldn't snuggle with me until he cried. Instead, he stood up and tried to walk to the end of the bed, got down, and then motioned us to go downstairs with his hands and grunts. Luckily it wasn't too early.

From there it is was Sunday morning as usual, although I did curl my hair for the first time on a Sunday in AGES. I started curling the ends about a week and a half ago when I went someplace other than walks/very quick trips to the store. It looks so much better with a little curl/body!

Sunday School went fine. AJU5 was a little quirky, but it wasn't a bad thing. She just didn't want to color. Luckily her friend (and the only other student in her class other than AJU6 this week) was willing to color her finger puppets for her so we could make them.

Church started out fine. AJU6 fell asleep in my arms during the songs. AJU5 was playing with the figures from Sunday School (paper cut-outs), and all was going well. Then it came the prayer between the message and the invitational. AJU5 had found the fruit leather in the diaper bag and wanted a piece. AJU6 of course started bouncing and begging for some too. So, I broke off small pieces for each one. They were content. Until AJU6 started choking. Before I knew it, he was throwing up... all over himself and me. I rushed us to the nursery to start washing it off. I ended up taking off both of our shirts. Luckily I had a tank top on and had AJU5 get my jacket for me. AJU6 just went topless. But, it was off of us and the smell was basically gone (oh the fun of milk puke).

After we got home, I got lunch on the table, and the boys snuggled up for some NASCAR watching as AJU5 and I ran to the mall. I realized how much I hate going to the mall on weekends when I saw the parking lot. But, I needed another pair of pants and AJU1 needed a tie for work. We hit up JcPenney, and luckily they had everything we needed. Unfortunately AJU5 had fallen asleep in the car on the way there. I carried her asleep all the way across the parking lot into the section where I found my pants. I laid her on the floor when I went to look at the pants, and she woke up. Within minutes she wanted her jacket off and to go look at dresses... I quickly found my pants and we headed downstairs to look for ties. Unfortunately my husband is not normal when it comes to ties. He refused to wear solids, stripes, plaids, and geometric patterns. That basically means no ties are left to pick from. I picked out four, some with some pattern, took a picture, and emailed him. I wasn't too happy with his choice, but it was done. While we waited for the picture to send, we went to the kids section and looked at dresses. Boy are they expensive - even at 40% off! With how much AJU5 wears them, I bet we would get our money's worth, but she has so many already. We picked out one I thought was cheaper than it actually was (due to bad sign-age), and went to look at things for AJU6. Of course she founda toy and debated over and over again between it and the dress. I found AJU6 a polo shirt for Easter, AJU1 emailed me back, and I convinced AJU5 to leave everything as I wasn't spending $18 on a small stuffed bunny or $30 on a dress yesterday. Maybe closer to Easter we will get a dress that expensive, but I know if I bought it now she would wear it every day she could, at least for a few weeks.

Luckily the rest of the day wasn't unpredictable. We watched the end of the race together. We went to evening service where AJU6 fought falling asleep on me many times. And then we came home, put AJU6 in bed, made popcorn, and watched a little TV before and after sending AJU5 to bed.

Hopefully next Sunday I can sleep in a little, won't be thrown up on, and won't have to go to the mall!

A Case of the Icks

Our house has been sick this past week. It started last Sunday. AJU1 didn't feel good, and I wasn't 100%. His was a bug he caught on his trip the week before. I wasn't sure if mine was just exhaustion from the week or a bug. Monday I knew it was a bug when I threw up and was running a fever over 100. Luckily, my bug was basically gone the next day, and I was back to normal on Wednesday. But then Wednesday afternoon happened. AJU6 started to run a fever. It wasn't too high yet, but I was watching it. AJU1 was still sick with a head cold, but he was going to work (he claims he gets just as much rest there as at home with the kids). Thursday AJU6 was burning up - fever of 104 without medicine. Luckily Advil dropped it down to about 100, and he just "hung out" there for about 24 hours (with Advil every 6-7 hours). Once it got up to 104, but that was because he took a 3 hour nap starting about 45 minutes before I could give him another dose of Advil. He wasn't eating much, but he was drinking more than normal. So, I wasn't too worried. Yesterday he was doing better. His energy was back, and his fever was definitely on its last legs. But, then AJU5 started running a fever. First time I checked it it was 101.4. About 30 minutes later, it was up to about 101.8. So, she got Advil too. Other than the fever, the kids are just dealing with some congestion and the related cough after a night of sleeping, so I wonder if it is a different bug than AJU1 and I had - as he hasn't run a fever, and they haven't been nauseous. Luckily today AJU6 is fever free, and AJU5 was only at 101.2 this morning after going 14 hours without medicine (since she slept all night). So, maybe we are on the tail end of it...

The good news is I didn't have to deal with any ick. AJU6's diapers haven't been the nicest since he hasn't been eating as much, but luckily this isn't a stomach bug. A little runny nose snot I can deal with, but I am not a huge fan of puke or diarrhea - I HATE them.

The saddest part is AJU5 so wanted to go to church today. Her friend has been sick twice in the last four weeks and missed another Sunday because her mom was sick. She started asking on Monday for her friend to stop "sicking" so they could play at church. They did play Wednesday night and Thursday night, but I guess it just isn't the same as Sunday morning. She so wants to stop "sicking," but she isn't completely understanding that it takes time and rest. Hopefully after today both kids can be healthy for a while so they don't have to miss each other...

Kids and Sports

A friend posted this story below on Facebook (although I am paraphrasing everything in the post and comments):

Daughter is on a volleyball team for 8 and 9 year olds (roughly 3rd grade). During the third game of a match last weekend, the opposing team's coach stopped the game and made her players do push ups. That team had won the first two games, but they ended up losing the third game.

I was just shocked by the post. I didn't start playing team sports (other than swim team and tennis) until fourth grade. You could do soccer or softball in our area younger, but basketball didn't start until fourth grade, and volleyball wasn't an option until middle school (seventh grade). Sports were always about fun for me. Yes, I really liked to win, but it wasn't what was most important (trying your hardest and doing your best while enjoying the sport was). I wanted to coach when I was in college (and before of course), but the summer between my junior and senior year made me reconsider. I decided to go to grad school at that point and just see where things led me after having a bad taste for athletics in my "home" state twice in three years. And it was all because winning was becoming too important. Oh, and as a coach, you also had to make sure you players liked you too. If your players didn't like you OR you didn't win enough, you could easily lose your job. I didn't want that pressure. And I think I made the right decision. This friend is in that same state. And think that at the 3rd grade level winning is that important already in the minds of some...

Only 33 Days Later

So, I have been a terrible blogger. Many of you already know why*. But, it needs to change.

So, here is a funny story from this morning.

AJU6 was in the bath for his morning nap (he LOVES baths). He was tired since he woke up about every two hours for some reason last night. He kept putting his head down in the bathtub (on the lip so he didn't drown himself). I offered to get out, and he would just smile and play for a second. A few times I reached in to get him, and he did not like that. Eventually I gave up and got him out. He was SO tired. I quickly got a diaper and shirt on him and put him to bed. This little guy is so stubborn it is funny at times!

Failure!

So, I still haven't been commenting on blogs as much as I want. And I wasn't going to post until I got better. But, I decided to "clean the deck" again and hopefully be more successful. I think the biggest issue I am having is that I am opening the posts on my desktop, but I am only spending maybe 10 minutes on it a day. With the laptop in the family room, I am using it 99% of the time (and using my phone to check Facebook and email other times). I am actually only using the desktop to do work grading, and that is fairly minimal.

So, now I am going to open the posts on the laptop and comment on them there. I just have to get used to typing standing up... But, hey - I will burn more calories this way!

In munchkin news, AJU5 is wearing dresses almost exclusively. Other than the couple of times we have insisted on jammies for bed (and truly, it has been 1-3 times), she hasn't worn anything but a dress (with pants some times) since Christmas. some days she goes through a few of them. Other times we have to force her to change after 48 hours in the same dress. This is SO not what we expected!

AJU6 is very demanding these days. And it is all because we can understand what he wants. he can get us to follow his commands to get him food. He can beg for the TV to be turned on. I don't remember AJU5 being quite this ... what is the word... not vocal per se but communicative. He is slowly getting words, but pointing, grunting, and making other noises is working for him. And I don't know how much I like it. But, he is only waking about once a night now, and all he wants is his paci (if he lost it) and some snuggles. So, I can live with this I guess...

A New Year's Resolution

Sorry I have been so terrible at commenting on blogs. I actually have 19 posts open right now, meaning to comment on them. I think there might be a few open on the laptop too. I blame the kids for half of it. It is almost impossible to type with one of them on the lap (and two is impossible), but I can use the mouse. Hence, I read posts and open them. But, then I never get back to commenting. Sometimes I do. But it is too rare. So, I need to set aside time each day to comment. Hopefully I can start today or tomorrow. If I make it a "rule" that I can't leave posts open over night, then maybe I will either comment or close them. When I get to 19 like I have now, it just seems to daunting to even start. I would have to really reread the posts at this point to remember everything and then think of a comment and post. Ugh.

In other news, the kids are doing fine. There is a daily battle of toys around here. They both want the same ones, and I have having to teach AJU5 that she can't just steal the toys out of AJU6's hands. And there are the times AJU6 is upset because AJU5 has the toy he wants, but luckily he is normally okay with trading. Except for yesterday when he was very mad at me for giving AJU5 Larry (the Cucumber) after his nap. I had to grab it out of his bed, so I didn't think he wanted it. AJU5 saw it wasn't in his hand, so she asked and I gave it to her. And he cried and fussed for a good 10-20 minutes. Luckily eventually she went to church with Daddy and he got Larry back (and took him to bed with him).

Big FAIL!

So, I haven't blogged in almost a week. And I was supposed to blog daily.

Life just got busy. I couldn't think of what to review Friday morning, and then I didn't get online again until Saturday night. Since then, I have only been on for short periods until today. I blame Thanksgiving and AJU6's birthday. It just has made the end of the month too busy to keep up. Maybe next year.

I haven't read any of your blogs either. Maybe in little bit I can read some. But, I may not get to commenting. Too much to do before tomorrow when we celebrate AJU6's birthday AND Thanksgiving - all in one...

Thankful Thursday - Medical Advances

Probably about 6 or 7 years ago I was diagnosed with keratoconus. At first, there wasn't anything big about it. I just needed lenses for astigmatism. Then, probably about 4 years ago, we tried a hard lens in my left eye. It was (and is) the worse eye, and disposable contacts couldn't get me to 20/20. But, I couldn't handle the lens. I couldn't stop blinking even to open my eye and see if it worked with the lens. So, I just dealt with slightly impaired vision in that eye (with both eyes I could see just fine). Then, recently I started noticing I couldn't see well out of my left eye even with my contact in. Glasses made me see slightly better, but it was still not good. So, at my appointment in September, I mentioned it (not that they wouldn't have figured it out though). It turns out the cornea has gotten worse - to the point normal disposables can't do much of anything. So, I have to deal with a hard lens.

Luckily, there are now hybrid lenses. They aren't as easy or comfortable as disposables, but I can at least wear it for a few hours without any problem. If I keep them in for a long time, my eye gets dry. This is why a week ago I had such a hard time getting my lens out. I live where there is little humidity, so that doesn't help. I am hoping to get used to the new lens over the next few weeks so I can wear it full time. But, until then, I do a mix of old contact, glasses, and new lens. It works.

I know in the future cornea transplant is likely. I am still in my thirties, and with how bad my left eye has gotten in less then 10 years, I am fairly certain at some point it will bulge too much even where a hybrid lens. And that is when I will have to have surgery. But, if you read about the surgery, it is a year before your eye totally recovers. So, I want to be done having kids for sure. And I don't think that will be an issue. I hope/pray/believe it will be at least 10 years before it gets that bad.

Have you been thankful for medical advances for yourself or loved ones? Share!

Thankful Thursday (A Few Hours Late)

I am definitely thankful for friends. We have friends our ours in town for the weekend, and it is great to spend time with them. The daddy in the family basically lived with use for about 6 months almost 4 years ago. Since then, they have been stationed in the UK for three years and are now back in the States. We saw them in July on our road trip, but before that we had only seen them once in over three years.

They have two kids close in age to ours (4 and 7 months younger than our two), so it will be fun to watch them grow up together. AJU5 and the older boy already have had a blast playing together. AJU6 has tried to play with the 4.5 mo, but that little guy is nt sure about AJU6 - probably because he is fairly defenseless!

And of course I am thankful for my other friends. There are those in town that I love to talk to. We share our hard times and our blessings together. We unload our burdens on each other, and they are lifted up in prayer. I don't know what I would do without them.

And of course there are my blogging friends that I love tp "talk" to. We get to share the silly and little things in life with each other - and there is normally at least someone who can sympathize with during the crazy times of motherhood.

And as to why this is late: I got a new contact for my left eye this week. It is a hybrid lens meaning there is a hard contact wrapped in a soft contact. It definitely is taking time to get used to. Last night I went to take it out, and it was stuck. It took a long time, and by the end of it my left eye was on fire and I had a headache. So I took Advil. On an empty stomach. That led to almost throwing up. So, I just went to bed!

Sweet Sunday

What is your favorite sweet? I have a few, as I can rarely pass up sweets.

1. Ice Cream. I love Blue Bell ones with vanilla ice cream and them some chocolate "embellishments" like candy. Happy Tracks is one of those, but there are others (and they rotate the flavors each month to keep you guessing and trying new ones).
2. Chocolate Candy. I love the ones with caramel in them, or toffee. I am not a fan on fruit in mine those. Cadbury makes fingers, and those are GREAT! I love all three flavors (white, milk, and dark). And of course I also like the "standard" ones - Twix, Butterfinger, Reeses and KitKats are the best of those.
3. Cookies. Of course I go to the chocolate variety. Well, not completely chocolate (although I wouldn't pass one of those up). I like the ones with chips/chunks. I make oatmeal chocolate chip for my husband, and I normally eat way too many of those!

What are your favorites?

Helicopter...

Last night I realized at times I am a helicopter parent. And I am not a huge fan of it.

I am totally not a helicopter parent when we are at home or with close friends. But I am when we are not in our norm. Cubbies is one of those places - and even then it is only in certain situations.

I don't helicopter during play time. I do little to no helicoptering during craft. But, other times I am right there with her making sure she "performs" as she should. Some of it is justified - she is younger than all the others by up to 2+ years (Cubbies is for Pre-K, so a few just turned 5, but most are 3 or 4). She is shy and hasn't had a lot of "social school" time. So, if I am not there, she may not do as asked. If I am not there for a few parts of the night (story, opening, etc), she will scream and cry. So, those are times I need to be there still. Luckily, she is getting used to the way things work, and she is starting to not fight me. But, if they loose her attention, she melts...

Then there is book time when they need to say their verses. I think she is warming up to the leader a little, but he was gone last night. And she is one of two kids using a different Bible version that the rest, so I don't want them to confuse her/think she isn't saying it right. So, I helicopter. My goal, now that I have realized it, is to back away a little and see what happens. I want to wait until she doesn't respond to them to step in and help. Hopefully that will work next week...

And I think some of it is that I want to show people what she can do. She is doing the "extra credit" mainly because she is good at memorizing verses. She still has the one memorized back in August at the front of her brain (and will tell it to us all the time). So, having her recite three "old" verses isn't a problem. The second half of the extra credit is sometimes a challenge because it is putting the week's lesson into action/making it tangible. Some concepts are harder for her, but I think without even trying, she would get less than she does with our sometimes-half-completed attempts.

So, there you go. That is how Cubbies is going. The end...

9 Years Ago

Nine years ago, I got up just like normal. I started the day just like normal. I walked to school. I taught my first class of the day (as a graduate student). I went to my second class directly from the first class and was greeted with what I thought was a weird question:
"Are we having class today?"

I had no clue what had happened. It all started minutes before my first class. So, none of us in that room had any idea. I had to ask the students to explainw hat had happened, and even then I really didn't complete grasp what had gone on.

We went through the second class fairly quickly, and I let them go early and returned to the building where my office was. I talked to the other grad students with offices near me, and I learned a little more. Then we headed upstairs to the main office for our department and saw some of it on the TV. Then it truly hit me what had happened and what was going on.

I don't think I will ever forget that day. Just like our grandparents probably won't forget Pearl Harbor, many of us have 9/11. But, I wonder how much the events of that day have really changed our country. I wonder how much that day really changed each one of us. For some people, I don't think it changed them at all. For others, it is a huge change. And, there are those like me who were changed some but not too much because it didn't "hit" close to home.

What about you?

Glad That is Over

Last February I found a lump in my right breast. It felt like a cyst - and I thought there was a very good chance it was just acne (I have had ones similar a little closer to the surface before). A week or so later, AJU6 was conceived. Then, I found out I was pregnant, and it felt like it was getting bigger. So, I mentioned it to my OB/Gyn at my first appointment, and she sent me to get a breast ultrasound. She said it felt like a fibroid, but she wanted to make sure. I then of course Google fibroid and determined it was likely. The ultrasound again showed it was likely a fibroid, but it wasn't 100% certain. So, they said to come back in 3 months. Well, fibroids tend to grow with hormones related to pregnancy. So, 3 months later it was larger. That was a year ago. They decided to have me come back in 6 months - after AJU6 was born - to see what it had done. By then it was slightly smaller than it had been last August, but it was still there and fairly large. So, I got to go back this month. It is still there, but it is drastically smaller. So, that is enough evidence for them that it is just a fibroid (breastfeeding = enough hormones to allow it to still live). That means I don't have to go back to that place for 8 years (when I turn 40 for my first mammogram) or if I feel it growing again.

I didn't share it with many people because at first I wasn't ready to share the pregnancy. So, I couldn't really share the fibroid since it was most likely related. Then, I just didn't. But, before every ultrasound I would get slightly nervous. Luckily it is over. I am glad that fear is gone...

Is It Nap Time Yet?

This week is killing me! VBS is a lot of work. We are averaging 34 kids with under 10 adult helpers and under 10 teen helpers. Oh, and I am not counting AJU6 in those 34 kids...

Add to that a teething infant who is waking every few hours at night, and you have one tired mommy. (The boy has cute 3 teeth in less than a month, and a fourth one is coming soon)

Luckily VBS is going well. We had a great family night yesterday at church, and the kids are enjoying the whole experience. Games have been hit or miss, but that is mainly due to heat (middle group - too hot and tired to play much by their turn) and age (youngest group). Lunch has been a huge hit, and the crafts have gone well. I haven't seen much of the lesson (since there are secluded for maximum attention), but supposedly that has been going well too.

One more day... I can make it...