Making Memories. Choosing Joy.

Ramblings

I'm warning you now, it's going to be a scattered post...

• I was helping Z study for his science quiz about Hypothesis, Independent Variables and Dependent Variables. When I asked him to give me a hypothesis, he said "If I feed Jasper 3 pieces of pepperoni, it will increase his poop rate." I really don't think I need to finish the story. I did ask him to not use any kind of example that has the word "poop" in it on his quiz.
• Jasper was chewing on something dark yesterday afternoon. When I got closer to see what it was, I noticed a tail. Yes, he brought a mouse in from outside. And yes, I started screaming that it was a mouse and for Z to get him out of the house now. Thankfully Jasper carried the mouse back out the door with him. And yes, Z is still teasing me about my squealing.

• Both boys started Open Gym for Basketball this week. Just as I about had the stink gone from Football, it starts up again. :::sigh:::
• As much Christmas music as I have been listening to, you would think I'd have some gifts bought. But I don't. And even worse, I don't have any ideas.
• My office is closed on Friday. Yea for a long weekend for me! I picked up 9 years worth of Christmas photos that I got developed today. Yes, I have high hopes. 

Have a terrific day! Make it count!

Dog Days

I'm pretty certain that today qualifies as one of the "Dog Days of Summer." I think Jasper agrees.

 

Today is definitely the hottest day of summer that we've had. Which is one of the reasons I'm taking the time to update...and because I had a request from Aunt Jane.

Thankfully, not much has been going on. We've been enjoying summer and enjoying the stress-freeness (this must be a word...Typepad didn't underline it to alert me, so I'm going with it!!!) of nothing medical going on. Nicholas' ear continues to heal and I've even noticed a bit more definition. He isn't home right now (errands with Daddy...those two make quite the pair...on the go, go, go!) or I'd take a picture to share. There's a notch on the edge where Dr. Jones had to shave a bit of cartilidge off during the second failed skin graft, where it became exposed. But you know what? I don't care! He's healing, he doesn't care, and it adds a bit of character! Perfection is over-rated!

I've been keeping busy with a combination of "Extreme Home Makeover" and "Clean Sweep." A couple of weeks ago I decided I was tired of the outdated dining room, so it went from hunter green to "crabby apple." I have to say that I love the color, but I forgot how much of a pain it is to paint red. Once it's all done (the paint is done, still deciding on some wall art) I'll be sure to post before and afters! Up next is the foyer, although we are waiting on a price from a painter since it is two-stories. Neither Scott or I are up for that challenge at this point in our lives!

It's hard to believe that school is starting in a couple of weeks. I think we are all ready though...but then the homework arguing will begin again!

Thanks for checking in on us!

Hope.

There really is hope that Spring is on it's way! Not only are buds appearing, but today I got my spring/summer hair color ;o) It's amazing how refreshing a little (or a lot) of blond can make me feel! Short-sleeved shirts are making their appearance in the boy's wardrobe more and more, although it was still way too chilly for the Princess at baseball practice last night.

American Idol. Meghan wasn't my favorite, but did anyone else tear up a tad when they played her video at the end of last night's show? Sweet. And there is something about Adam that I like...but Danny...I think he's the one that has my vote...if I actually voted.

ER. The series finale airs tonight. I have watched this show since it's been on and it's time for it to go. I hope I get closure.
It's time to start making my list of things to pack for Atlanta next week. I can no longer bury my head in the sand and pretend that the time isn't here. Nicholas got upset last night when I told him he'd have to miss a few practices. In fact, he said that he might as well not sign up for baseball anymore if he was going to keep missing it (the first year he played he missed all of the practices due to his canalplasty. Last year he missed most of the practices and a few games because of the first stage reconstruction taking longer to heal due to the rib). I told him that this should be his last surgery. I pray this is his last surgery.
Project 365 has been updated.

Enjoy your weekend. I plan to pack what I can, get the house picked up, and begin preparing for an adventure-filled week. Thank you for your prayers.

 

Welcome April!

Has April crept up on anyone else? The above photo is a picture of our calendar for the month. Needless to say, it's going to be crazy! Baseball practice can begin today, and they aren't wasting any time! Both boys have practice tonight. Nicholas from 5-6:30 and Zachary from 6:30 to 8:00. Zachary will have practice Monday/Wednesday/Friday and Nicholas on Wednesday/Saturday. It should be interesting! I figure it will be a good time to get Project 365 updated while I sit and wait during practices.

I've joined the Twitter world. This will be a great way to give quick updates on Nicholas next week. Other than that, I'm not promising the updates will be exciting, thankfully! You can follow my updates on the sidebar to the left, or you can also sign up to have updates sent to your phone or email. I think it will also let you know when I update this blog.

I broke the news to Nicholas last night that we would be going back to Atlanta next week. He's not thrilled, but he wasn't as upset as I thought he'd be. Of course, I didn't mention that he'd miss at least two weeks of baseball practice. I figure I'll give him the news a bit at a time to process. As of right now he was most concerned that he wouldn't be able to take his Batman Lego DS game, that it would have to stay home with Zachary. I assured him that he could indeed take his game!

I enjoyed scrapbooking on Saturday with Mom and Aunt Bev. Of course, I didn't get as much done as what I hoped to. But that's usually how it goes!

 The boy's got their gradecards on Friday and they looked great! Zachary begins the OAT's in a couple of weeks and I'm trying not to worry about it. His teacher thinks he'll do well.

Let the fun begin!

Oy.

I know. It's been a long time since I've written any kind of update. And I think in my last post I mentioned how I'd try to be better at updating. I guess I really need to stop saying that!
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I have no idea why my blog entries for Zach's birthday celebration have stopped posting. If you suddenly start seeing them again, I guess that means I've figured it out!
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My new work location is going okay (remember...same job, different town and building). I'm adjusting to being in a cubicle with the muzak playing, although on tough days I will play my Ipod and it helps to drown out all the distractions. I've also been going in at 7 a.m. and I'm hoping my body makes the adjustment soon (as is the rest of my family!).
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Last weekend I had an awesome, relaxing weekend with my sisters. Mom and Dad took the boys for the weekend and we did nothing but talk, eat and watch movies. It was so fun to just be with them. Thanks sisters for the weekend, for being with me and supporting me. I know I can always count on you!
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Nicholas had a fever for a couple of days this week with no other symptoms like Zachary had a few weeks ago. And the weird part...two days after the fever, they both complained about their calf muscles hurting (although Zachary couldn't walk...Nicholas just walked a little funny. The difference between the two just makes me laugh!).
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Nicholas has a new best bud that likes to call several times a day, starting as soon as they are both off the bus. He called Wednesday to see if he could come over and Nicholas told him no, it was a school night. After much prodding and getting no where with Nicholas, he asked to talk to Scott! And then, he asked to talk to me! I couldn't believe it...I was getting called out by a first grader! He asked my why he couldn't come over, and after I told him that Nicholas had homework, he said "All we have is reading. I don't want to spend the night!" The conversation totally cracked me up and I thankfully got a picture of Nicholas on the phone with him (I think it was the fourth phone call!).
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Somebody in our house is having a big birthday this week! Good thing he doesn't act as old as he is, I think!
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We had a couple of nice days this week, and I've woken up to birds chirping. Hopefully that is a promise that Spring really is around the corner! The boy's are ready to get out, and I'm ready for them to get out!
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I finally got my dining room mess cleaned up on Thursday. Just in time to make another mess. I'm scrapbooking Saturday with my Mom and Aunt and looking forward to it. I haven't done much since my trip with friends last November. I guess today and tomorrow would be a good time to start getting an idea of what I want to work on!
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Nicholas' surgery is scheduled for Friday, April 10th. Please pray that this will be a successful surgery and we can close this chapter of his, and our, life. Pray for strength for our family and for us to feel God's loving arms wrapped around us, holding us up. As the time gets closer, I'm sure I'll have more specific prayer requests. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
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Zachary is doing well in school and anxious for Little League baseball to start. Last year his team was one of the best in the league, and they are used to doing well. This year, they begin kid-pitch games, so they'll be clawing their way up from the bottom again. It is so fun to watch them all together and for the team spirit to grow as they grow.
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Nicholas' has really been improving and he amazes me with his math skills. Thankfully, it seems he got his math-mind from his father, and not from me! He is also anxious for ball to start, I just pray that he heals well from his surgery and he's able to get some practice in with his team before the season starts. He has moved up to where Zachary was last year, machine-pitch. It will certainly be a big change from t-ball for him, but with his determination I hope he makes the best of it!
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I won't end with a promise of an update soon, but I will promise to try. If you are on Facebook, I have added a link to the right side.
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Have a great weekend, make it count!

A hard week.

This has been a long, hard week. On Tuesday it was announced that my boss (who was the EVP of a specific region) had "decided" to go back to sales (notice the quotes). Him and I had moved to this location last June when corporate moved. As hesitant as I was to be in more of a corporate setting, I adjusted and soon loved working there, along with all of the new people. My boss has decided to go back to the old location and he (along with my old boss) gave me the option of coming back. Because we all belive it will be a more secure position (my old boss is now the EVP of a much larger region) and that I will be busier, I packed my things up on Wednesday. All day long people stopped to talk and say good-bye and that we will be missed. While it was nice to hear, it was so much harder than I thought it would be. I miss that place already! I know it will take awhile to get re-adjusted to my new place (the same place that I moved out of last June) and people again.  I have history with these people (17 years) and I know it will all work out like it should. Afterall, in these times you really don't have the luxury of being choosy about what you do!

Project 365 has been updated.

Like the new look? I wish I could take credit for it...well, I can take credit for the header because I change those every month, but I got the background from House of 3. I emailed them about a problem I was having and they emailed me back with the answer in less than 24 hours...their customer service is great!

Today I am home with a sick boy. Zachary started a fever last night and this morning it was 102. He went back to sleep around 7 a.m. and has been sleeping since. He must know he has a dentist appointment tomorrow!

It's another birthday month here. Actually it's a big birthday month. Zachary turns 9 Thursday, and Scott has a big birthday at the end of the month.

Enjoy your week, make it count!

I just don't get it.

One word: Bakugan.

A reminder that I'm getting old and may not be quite as "hip" as I'd like to be. Really, I'm pretty good with directions. But throw the Bakugan directions in my face and I get confused. And frustrated. And lose patience, quickly. So tonight, I resorted to this:

Letting the boy's use my precious bandwith from my wireless card, just so maybe we could get a clue. And you know what? I think I'm more confused than evah. [sigh]

Anyone else feel my pain?

I get it honest...

Mom is always rearranging furniture. She does it well. She used to do it when Dad wasn't home and we would be more than happy to help. Now that they have heavier furniture, she lets Dad help her. And from what I hear, he's been a good sport about it.

I've been looking at some decorating blogs lately, and if the budget allowed...I'd be doing some decorating. Since that isn't an option right now, I'm making the best of what I already have. While I would really like to get some small tables, and some decorative lamps, I'll make do. This afternoon I decided to rearrange the "office" (which is originally supposed to be the "living room" but who uses a living room? Once the boy's were born, it was used as a toy room...until I could not take the mess anymore. Toys got moved upstairs and now it has an old t.v. for the Wii and a desk for the computer. Someday I have dreams of it being a "library.")

So, here is a before:

And an after:

The desk is an old hand-me-down. Someday I hope to get a smaller one. I love the hutch. Mom and Dad re-finished it for me one year for my birthday. I was hoping it would fit on the wall beside the window, but it didn't. I haven't found a place that I absolutely love for this piece of furniture yet. Scott has a print of a family picture from Amish County in 2007 that I will get framed and hang above the printer/file cabinet:

Project 365 has been updated. I haven't missed a day yet! I'm still loving this project and think it will be such a great album at the end of the year.

If you've been following along in my "Project 365" album on the right, you'll know that we've had Nicholas to the Pediatrician the last two weeks for his ear. The spot that we think started as an infected stitch wasn't getting any better. The spot at the bottom of his ear is now almost completely healed up. At his checkup Tuesday the Doctor didn't like the looks at the top of his ear, so he opened a little spot up and drained it. They have taken two cultures now for staph, and thankfully nothing has shown up so far. It is looking better already and hopefully by next week this will all be past us. I will post an updated picture this weekend.

And speaking of my 7-year-old...I finally got the sweater that I ordered for him to wear for his birthday a week too late. The poor kid has mostly hand-me-downs from his brother for shirts, and while ordering jeans for his birthday I saw this sweater on sale and could not resist. Of course, it was also came too late for school pictures [sigh]. But here is a picture of my baby:

Two weeks from today I'll be the mother of a 9-year-old.

I can't believe I'm going to admit to this, but I am...The Bachelor. Yes, I got sucked into watching it again this season. Because Jason got his heart broke, and I wanted him to have his happy ending. However, if all of the drama is true, I'm not liking him so much anymore. And I swear, this is the last time I watch this ridiculous show!

That's all I've got. Have a great weekend and make it count!

This and That.

I'm really finding it difficult to find additional things to write about other than what is in the Project 365 album, which I did update today [over there on the right side]. I guess that is a good thing.
Nicholas' ear continues to heal. It's still quite red in some areas, and I wonder if that will fade or if it will always be that way. [sigh] I know that his next surgery scheduled for April will be here before I'm ready. It's been four months of worry now. Enough of the worry-talk...he's continuing to improve with his reading and as much as we love Ms. Deb, I pray this is the year we can say "good-bye" to speech therapy!

Zachary has once again decided that homework is "dumb." Oy. He can do the homework, he just doesn't want to take the time. When is it time to let him make the choice, and suffer the consequences of a bad grade? I am tempted this week to let him do it his way and not fight with him about it. If he would only apply himself...[Do you know where he gets that from, Mom and Dad?]

To the person that left our family a gift in my parent's door...thank you. I wish I knew who you are so I can thank you properly for making a difference in our lives. I hope you read this blog so you know how very much it is appreciated. I look forward to the day that we can pay it forward to someone else.

Toasty Warm.

We have a new member of the family. Meet Woody.

Woody has been keeping me nice and warm. And everyone that knows me knows that the Princess likes to be nice and warm. Woody was officially hooked up on Sunday, before the thermostat was switched out. So we turned the fan on, and nice warm air blew threw our home. And it kept coming. And after an hour I was in a tank top and my slippers were off. And after 2 hours I was about ready to beg Scott to turn the fan off, I couldn't take it anymore. I was suffocating! Today the thermostat was hooked up and it's wonderful! Nice and toasty warm. I have it at 75 right now and don't feel guilty, at all! The furnace will kick in if the wood stove can't keep up. Ahhhh!!! Zach has been enjoying feeding Woody when he gets home from school. I've been supervising, but geez does that kid know what he's doing! Scott and the boy's have been cutting wood when they can find the time. Unfortunately, it was a last minute purchase, or Scott would have spent the summer preparing.

Hmmm...what else? Thanksgiving was pretty laid back for us. Scott's Grandfather passed away the Sunday before, so we travelled to his visitation and funeral on Tuesday and Wednesday. We were back home on Wednesday night and ate lunch with my parents on Thursday. Friday I started a scrapbook project for a Christmas gift and Nicholas has decided to join in on the fun. Thankfully, I know the person receiving it will appreciate Nicholas' "touches" throughout...it's been a challenge for me to let him add his ideas to it!

Speaking of scrapbooking, I had a wonderful trip with friends. I even accomplished quite a bit. Maybe someday I'll scan some of my pages to share.

It's hard to believe, but next Thursday we fly back to Atlanta for Nicholas' surgery. This was supposed to be the final stage, but as my Dad pointed out, we are much closer to being done than we were a year ago! We will have the pre-op appointment Thursday afternoon and surgery will be at 10 a.m. Friday. So please pray for a successful surgery, and also for good flights! Yes, I'm flying this time...not that I'm terrified of flying, but it is certainly not my favorite thing to do and I'm pretty uneasy the entire flight.

I hope you're all enjoying the Christmas season! I'm trying to not get stressed out about all that needs to be done and just remember to take the time to sit back and enjoy and remember.