Reflections...

on 2008. New Year's Eve seems like a good time to look back at the year and take it all in and put it to rest... I started this blog last February and I just reread most of it and am so glad I wrote down many of the things that occured in our life this year. The one thing that stands out for me is God has carried us through another year with the help of friends, family, neighbors and community. 2008 was not an easy year, with what seems like more downs than ups, but I would not trade any of it, if it meant losing out on the relationships built and strengthened between family, friends and God and self. Sure, there is room for improvement (especially with the self part), but that's for the New Year... So a prayer of thanks tonight for the year past and of continued blessings and strength for the year to come... Happy New Year!

Favorite Christmas Carol...

...Feliz Da-di-da

Tucking kids in bed on Christmas Eve they asked again if Santa was real. And they wanted to know for real this time, so I told them he was a real person but the part about him flying around to everyone's house and sliding down chimneys was a myth.

BB: I still believe
BG: You're wrong, mommy.

Guess they weren't really ready for the truth or they think they won't get any presents if they don't believe... And BG was convinced there would be more presents from Santa when we got home. She missed the one he left for her at Pop-pops and Mom-moms.

Christmas

I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas! We sure did, despite Daddy being in Iraq we had a great Christmas spent with Pop-pop and Mom-mom Adams and aunties and uncle and cousins. I'm a little bit wiped out from the driving and the persistant coughing, but it was worth it to see the kids' and the grandparents' enjoyment! We spent Christmas Eve with sister-in-law V's family and in-laws at a beautiful church service and party afterwards and then back to Pop-pops to snuggle the kids all warm in their beds, recite the Christmas story (glad I learned it when I was a kid) and talk about God's gifts and then I stuffed stockings while mom-mom proceded to stack presents and presents and more presents under the tree. Everyone was shocked and awed to see so many presents! LG wasn't too happy about being woken up, but the other kids weren't waiting any longer. She was fine as soon as she started pulling stuff out of her stocking and soon got into the swing of opening presents. LB was a bit overwhelmed with it all and wanted to play with the guys he got in his stocking, forget opening anything else! I spent the rest of the morning fighting to get stuff out of the industrial strength packaging and then we went over to sister-in-law D's house for delicious Christmas dinner and eggnog and more presents! Then the rest of the evening and the next morning spent on the unpackaging war and load plan for the van. And I thought I wouldn't use my Army skills as a stay-at-home mom... We went for a drive that afternoon out to the Barnegat Lighthouse and then stopped at a little beach for a while just to feel the sand on our feet and draw some sand pictures. Finished loading the van and the next morning we said bye to Pop-pop and Mom-mom and headed over to Aunt V's and Uncle B's to spend some time with the cousins. Had a great time at Storybook Land all lit up for Christmas and the kids wore themselves out playing and finally fell asleep where they crashed. Drove home the next day with a long stop at Ikea in Philly and made it home about 9 pm. Van is still not completely unloaded as I have to make some room in the house for everything! Overall a great trip and I'm glad we got to spend Christmas with family. I do look forward to travelling with John when he gets back though! Enough of the single parent gig... Here's some pics from our trip:

Lots of little random stuff

Well, since my computer was choked up with viruses for a couple of weeks, I haven't really been on here to update like I wanted so here's a bunch of random things from the last couple of weeks starting with Thanksgiving!

We had a traditional 'Army' Thanksgiving spent with our friends the Clarks after wondering if we would make it out of our driveway from all the snow the night before and all that day! So glad we made it and enjoyed spending the time with friends who treat us like family. Had a little trouble getting out of their driveway but the roads were clear on the way home and we were all content and thankful and ready to start the Christmas season...

the next morning the littles and BG went to hourly care while BB and I did some Christmas shopping and managed to get most of it done in one trip! I've picked up a few more things here and there but for the most part have avoided the crowds and busyness which is a good thing since I've been sick or babies have been coughing for the last 3 weeks! During a lull in the illnesses, I got some Christmas lights up on the house and we put a big tree outside by the front door and a Christmas 'bush' inside the house 'cause we can't fit a full size tree... It was fun decorating with the kids and pulling out all the old ornaments from my childhood and the ones they've recieved since they were babies. BG was really interested and kept asking where each one came from and excited to put them on the tree, I think she's taken half of them off the tree since then and played with them all over the house, which is probably not a bad thing since LB has knocked the 'bush' over twice.



In health news, I started seeing a different endocrinologist for my thyroid care and she questioned how my primary care manager and surgeon went about diagnosing and treating the thyroid cancer. That's never a comforting conversation finding that things could have been done in a more efficient, possibly less painful manner. And whether doctors mean to do it or not, they definetly use our fear to get what they want. Anyway, lessons learned, less trust on my part, internet research is my friend, and don't be afraid to get a second or third opinion... Also, got my thyroid hormone increased so maybe I'll get that at the right level sometime soon and feel like a whole new person, right!

Ken doesn't stand a chance, GI Joe gets all the girls in our household... even a Navy Seal one...

In sleep news, we've all been disfunctional the last few weeks. There have been a few nights where I've woken up laying across the foot of my bed while my little angels are all across the top! Thank God for king size beds. I've also moved to another bed in the house when I get pushed off...

And probably the best news in a while, LB decided he wants to use the toilet so we've been working on that the last two weeks. LG not interested at all, so I'll give her a month or two just like with most other stuff, she seems to follow him by about two months. I think the only reason she was born first is because LB kicked her out!

Other than that we've spent some nice times with friends decorating gingerbread houses and BB's Christmas concert and BG and I went to see a local production of The Nutcracker today. It seems to have become a tradition as this is the fourth year in a row we've gone, just in a different city each time. So far my favorite was in Portland, OR and the kids enjoyed the 'Southwest Nutcracker' in Tucson, AZ because they had coyotes instead of mice. I've got a lot to do tomorrow so we can leave to spend Christmas in New Jersey with Pop-pop and Mom-mom Adams and the rest of J's family. Only one missing will be J... We were trying to figure out how many Christmases we've actually been together (because we like to wallow in our depression) and it came out to be only four Christmases apart in 14 years, unfortunately all of them since we've had kids. LG has only had one Christmas with Daddy that she remembers and that was last year! Before that, even though we weren't always stationed together, we managed to see each other over the holidays usually by one or the other of us flying to Korea... OK, need to stop dwelling on it. And this is getting quite lengthy and now that my right arm (computer) is reattached I won't have to save it up!

Conversation with BB

After school the other day BB approached me with this (condensed) discussion:

BB: Mommy, don't be mad, but I have a girlfriend at school, her name is Destiny.
M: Oh, really. How do you know she is your girlfriend?
BB: I heard some other boys talking and they said she liked me and because I love her.
M: Does she know she's your girlfriend?
BB: Yes, but she likes another boy sometimes too.
M: So what to you do with Destiny?
BB: We talk and play.
M: Well, daddy and I don't want you to have a girlfriend until you're ready to get married, then you can worry about having a girlfriend.
BB: So I have to wait until I'm in fifth grade???
M: Yeah, we'll discuss it again then...

I'm so not ready for my 7 year old to be worrying about girls! After our conversation, it was apparant that it's all very innocent, normal, little boy, little girl, second grader behavior, but the worry is there that I don't know how aware he is of 'grown up' relationships and I don't want him growing up too fast. We also talked about saving our hearts for the person God wants us to marry when we're older and his answer was "But we can love everyone!" I was so proud of that answer because he is a loving, compassionate boy and it's apparant that he's not aware of 'romantic' love with one person yet or that his heart can be broken. I did warn him that 2nd grade girls are known to change their minds at the drop of a hat though... And my hope is that he does continue to talk to me about all this stuff.

Happy Thanksgiving

I hope everyone has a Happy Thanksgiving and can remember everything we have to be thankful for. I think 'Thank you' are two of the most meaningful and most often overlooked words in the world. So I thought I would get my 'thank you's' down in writing to help remind myself that I do have so much to be thankful for. In no particular order:

I'm thankful I have J for a husband and father to my children. And that he loves me for who I am.
I'm thankful for our health and safety especially after the trials of late.
I'm thankful our kids are healthy and bright and seemingly 'normal' for the most part.
I'm thankful for a warm house on this cold snowy day.
I'm thankful for friends God places in our lives to see us through the harder times and to celebrate the better times.
I'm thankful for our families who love us despite our faults and shortcomings.
I'm thankful for our country where even with the current times, we still have the freedoms we enjoy.
I'm thankful for the sacrifices my husband and all our servicemembers and families make to keep our country safe and free.
I'm thankful for God's love and gift of his Son.
I'm thankful God listens to and answers prayers.
I'm thankful for music and flowers and art and every other gift God gives us to remind us that He is able to see us through.

The fun never stops

and I could use a break! I did manage to get the place cleaned up a bit on Tuesday and moved some furniture around and torked my back at the same time... Woke up Wednesday and almost fell down when I got up! Managed to make it to the OSC Luncheon and made a nice Christmas wreath and then went to Bunco in the evening and had fun rolling the dice and chatting and eating. Left a little early since I wasn't feeling so great, got home, went to bed and couldn't get warm then woke up with a sore throat! Two nights of that and chills and sweats, went to the doctor today and I've got Strep throat. Hello, amoxycillin. Feeling better already, but now I have to play catch up for the last two days of laying around! And pray I don't have any sick kids.

I did make it to BB and BG's teacher conferences yesterday and thankfully no worries in the school area. BB is pretty much average in most areas, excels in art and music and needs a little bit of help with spelling. BG's teachers cannot believe that she's my challenge at home since she is such a little angel at school! And performing very well academically thus far in her kindergarten career. They're also impressed with her imagination and creativity, especially on days she dresses herself.

The littles spent a lot of time in hourly care this week and by yesterday they really didn't want to be there. They're fine as soon as I leave and when I went to pick them up they were happily playing as usual. But ready to leave... It's been different the last couple of weeks since they've moved the two-year olds into the same room with the pre-schoolers (3-5 year olds). I think they're a little overstimulated and it tires them out more. Still not sure why the 'Army' decided they would make that change? Harder for the teachers to deal with the differences in ages and development also... Here's a sample of BB's artwork. Subject matter a little wierd but the details are great in my completely unbiased opinion! Also a video of LB singing the Indiana Jones theme song. I finally figured out what he was singing when he pointed to a picture of an Indiana Jones action figure in a catalog and started 'singing' the song.

Why is it...

that when you're at your worst something occurs to make the maintenance man show up at your door? I was so embarrassed tonight that I didn't even mention the mess! So the to do list I published last week was started and therein lies part of the problem... I have three projects started and none completed and the rest of the house has fallen to pieces in the meantime. Plus the pictures I took out from that moment of distraction and didn't put away because I have to move the storage chest they were in to make room for the elliptical trainer sitting in the middle of my living room because I couldn't get it into my bedroom, plus the vaccuum cleaner sitting at the ready for the cereal the twins 'shared' with the carpet just before dinner, plus the mess from dinner, plus the mountain of laundry in the laundry room and toys scattered everywhere. It's only moments like this that the bathtubs fill with brown water. At least they got here quick! Apparantly my water heater was set to 'warm' and I'm to let it get hot and hopefully clear out the sediment, if not call them back in the morning. I guess I can at least vacuum...

Missing...

my mom a lot this past week or so. I was thinking about what to get her for her birthday last week before I realized what I was doing. Her headstone was also finally placed this last week so it was a little bit of a shock and seeing pictures of it made her death seem more 'permanent.' I stopped at the Chocolate Cottage for lunch yesterday after running some errands and was almost crying in my mousse. It's the kind of place she always dreamed of opening someday in an old house, with little tables for two, coffee and tea, and a European menu with delicious crepes and desserts. and lots of chocolate! I could almost see her sitting across from me talking about ideas for her own place and what she would do differently. It's places like that and the garden center down the road or when I want to call her and tell what the kids did that day when it hits me that she's gone and I won't see her again until we meet in Heaven one day. Bittersweet sorrow. So I went on a little quest to find some pictures of my mom (I've had an empty frame in my kitchen for the last year waiting to put her pic in it; sometimes I am my mother!) and of course out of hundreds I found only 5 pictures of her. Here's one from my wedding with her two sisters on either side:

Number one son

is growing up too quickly! I had to take pictures out the other day because I couldn't remember exactly what he looked like as a baby/toddler and I wanted to compare him and Rohan at this age. Anyway, he's much more popular than J or I was as a kid which I have mixed feelings about sometimes. He's friendly and clownish and quick to take the blame instead of get a friend in trouble. So today he and his friends were 'hanging out' in our garage when they got cold. Garage door half-way down, heater on, playing checkers and watching a movie on the portable DVD player. Funny, but it felt like I had a teenager instead of a seven-year old. How do I make it stop?!

Unmotivated...

to do anything. I have so much I need to get done right now, yet so little motivation/energy to do anything beyond the minimum. Maybe if I make a list it will get it all out of my head and be less overwhelming, so not exactly exciting reading, but here's my to do list:

First and foremost, feed, clothe, bathe and see to general well-being of children. After that everything else is bonus:

Finish cleaning out computer armoire in family room
Move current computer into armoire
Rearrange my bedroom to make room for the eliptical trainer
Use the eliptical trainer a few times a week
Shampoo filthy carpets
Lay vinyl flooring down over the dining room carpet to prevent further filth
Rearrange living room to make room for the piano
Transport piano to house
Put rest of junk from back yard into garage before the next snow
Move my planters into the garage
Mulch the garden
Oil change/winterize the van
Clean the van
Keep up on daily chores and reduce the mountain of laundry
Stick to my budget and figure out Chrismas

So, I guess I should get off the computer and tackle at least one thing on there...

I'm blaming the boots...

I finally bought the Frye boots I've been wanting for a couple of years and it seems they really want to get dirty! The first time I wore them, I had to fish LB out of the lake. Today, after 17 years of nary an incident with mud, I got the van stuck and my boots muddy. So it's the boots, or I'm just destined to provide entertainment for others with my occasional bouts of idiocy. After I bought my piano I decided to drive by the LeRay Mansion since I hadn't seen it yet. There was a utitily truck blocking the road so I decided to turn around and go back out the way I came. Well, my front tires went into the very soft, deep mud on the side of the road and that was it... Front wheel drive, stuck real good. Luckily, the public utitily guys were kind enough to winch me out as they were trying not to laugh! One guy kept calling me 'dear' but I could see the 'daft cow' in his eyes. So glad I could provide a bright spot of humor in somebody's day...

Halloween, cont.

The kids and I had a lot of fun Halloween Day! I dug their pumpkins out of the quickly melting snow Friday morning so we could carve them after school. I was able to get the twins in hourly care during the big kids parade and festivities at school, so it was nice being able to help out in BG's class before the parade and with BB's party afterward. I brought them home a little early and we all started on our pumpkins. I'm not sure why I bought four of them since BB was the only one interested in helping after the first five minutes of scooping! LG was actually afraid of them and wouldn't come near them! I've found that our Skilsaw works great for pumpkins when you don't have too much detail work! So we got those done and then I got them all into their costumes. LG was Little Red Riding Hood and wearing an old dress my mom made for me one Christmas (my sisters all had matching), LB was a cowboy, but refused to wear his boots and the hat came off after about 2 minutes. And of course the first thing he did when we went outside was jump in a puddle. Easily distracted by candy... BB decided to be the Grim Reaper and he had a great time Trick-or-Treating with his friends and a neighbor dad. Good thing because BG, dressed as Arwen from Lord of the Rings, is the laziest little trick-or-treater I've ever seen! We made it up and down our street this time, which is a record for her thus far. The twins rode in the wagon for the most part and ate whatever candy came their way... When we got back we sat around the neighbor's fire bowl and handed out candy. Except for LB being a bit cranky the next day, Halloween a success.

Happy Halloween

or Harvest Day or All Hallow's Eve or 'Candy out the ying-yang Day' or whatever you want to call October 31st. I had fun last night dressing up for Bunco in my Viking costume where it impressed a new group of ladies. One bonus for moving often is getting to use my Viking helmet more than once... It does tend to make the neck sore though! Anyway, busy day of 'Harvest Day' activities at the school this afternoon. I'm not really sure what dressing up in costumes has to do with 'Harvest' but that's what they want to call it now. I'm not sure what changing the name is trying to accomplish when the activities stay the same. I guess when everything's watered down in this country, our children won't know what they're celebrating anymore. Maybe a 'Holiday' once a month where we have snacks and candy and make a non-descript hat and just celebrate being 'you' and your individuality and nothing bigger than yourself then nobody can be offended right? At least they're having a costume parade at school. I'm curious to see what Thanksgiving and Christmas will be called though. OK, not sure where all that came from because I love Halloween! Some of my greatest memories growing up were of my mom and older sisters helping us come up with (and make) costumes and carrying my pillowcase full of candy and searching for my younger sister's stash two weeks later when mine was long gone. Of course nothing compared to Christmas memories but fun anyway... Pictures to follow tomorrow after we trick-or-treat in the snow and mud!

Winter's here...

...why am I? After over a foot of snow fall in the last 24 hours with no signs of letting up soon, I'm starting to wonder why I didn't just move someplace warm while J was deployed? I'm not ready for winter to start just yet! Granted this is supposed to melt by the the weekend, but I'm already irritated with the snow and kids running in and out and in and out and finding gloves and picking up wet clothes and dirty snow on the carpet. When you're overwhelmed on a daily basis as it is, snow just adds that much more 'stuff' to deal with! At least the kids are enjoying it. They've been outside most of the day except to track snow in every once in a while and change gloves and eat. I wasn't expecting to see snow this early so I still haven't found snow pants for LG and BB needs new boots. I did happen to go through all of our gloves and hats and boots a few weeks ago when the closet exploded so at least that stuff was ready to go at 7:30 this morning when BB started getting dressed! Guess I better improve my attitude about this climate or it's going to be a really loooong winter and you probably won't want to read much of my blog...

Anti-cancer

I picked up this book a few weeks ago and finally started reading it today. Much of it is stuff I already know, but have yet to implement in our lifestyle, like cutting way back on the sugar! Anyway, I'm about half-way through it and so far really like the well thought out presentation and explanations for why 'Western' civilizations have seen such a huge increase in cancer the last 50 years (changes in what we feed our livestock, increased sugar intake, and increases in synthetic chemicals). You have to have your head buried pretty deep to ignore what most nutritionists and doctors are saying about refined, overprocessed diets and the effects on our weight and diabetes, but they often don't go further and link the cancer 'epidemic' to all these environmental factors. Even after being diagnosed with a cancer, I assumed it was more of a genetic factor than environmental, but after reading just half this book, I'm finding that there are things I can do for myself and my family to help prevent further cancer growth and in the process cut down the odds for obesity and other related problems later on. Now, wish me luck in getting Isabelle to eat a vegetable...

I had a dalliance...

...with Facebook. I can't say I won't do it again because it was fun catching up with old friends and sending people pies, and flairs, and plants, but I'll try not to neglect my blog again. To make up, I finally gave it a new background! When I wasn't playing on facebook we actually got through another week. Nothing too exciting, which is a good thing around here!

BB was sick and stayed home from school on Tuesday while the twins were at hourly care. And I've been fighting a cold all week and feel like I'm losing today! LB got 'Fifth's Disease' and had a rash all over him on Wednesday but it didn't slow him down at all. And LG has a runny nose again too. I think BG is the only one who didn't have some health issue this week!

LB and LG have upped the two-year-old mischief this last week or so also, probably becuase I was less attentive and didn't give them any directed playing. Learned my lesson as you'll see in the pictures! While I hate to clean up the messes, it is fun to see them really starting to play together and interact with each other so much. They're definetely getting the teamwork thing down and really starting to talk! And I'm learning things about myself too in the process...

A sense of humor really helps, but I'm starting to wonder where the line is between laughing at a myself or a situation and actually going insane? But I know if I didn't use the 'humor band-aid' I would probably be a total mess and bawling all the time. This blog has been good for me in that way because it forces me to think of a positive spin on things instead of always the negative. So in my attempt to not bring other people down and still keep them informed about our lives, it's effectively giving me a better attitude too! Not that I have that much to complain about and I'm sure I'll do that sometimes too...

This is the first time I've been 'sick' since I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer, so I realized how paranoid I am about my health now. More than the actual cold, the stress of wondering if it's something else is bothering me more. Every little twinge of pain or ache or swelling of glands or a day I'm really fatigued and I get paranoid about cancer growing everywhere. I know part of that is the psychology of waiting six months before I really know if the cancer is gone and also having a parent and a grandparent die of cancer, but I think I'll drive my doctor crazy in the meantime. And read my previous post a few more times to remind myself that God gives us strength for each day...

This next week will be six months down in J's deployment! So we're half done! Hard to believe, yet feels like longer since so much has happened the last few months! We're looking forward to his R&R in January sometime and hopefully we'll go someplace warm for a few days... I'm not looking forward to the cold and snow and I had better find some creative outlets for my little ones so we don't have another week like this past one. Here's the pictures of what happens when you leave 2 two year olds to their own devices for longer than five minutes. I blame it on Facebook, but obviously my own fault for not paying closer attention! Thank goodness for washable markers and Magic Erasers! I had wanted to post pics of our new wall colors, but not exactly in this way!

I Kings 17:16

My Aunt sent this to my sister who passed it on to me. As usual, God's Word finds a way to those who need it:

Subject: I Kings 17:16
"The jar of meal was not spent, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the Lord which he spoke by Elijah" (1 Kings 17: 16)

The widow at Zarephath had given up all hope and only wished to die. But God taught her to walk by faith, and this changed everything. God, however, helped her only one day at a time. He did not place at her disposal a storehouse from which to draw supplies. Each day she scraped the jar of meal to the last particle and drained the last drop from the cruse of oil. But the next day she again received what she needed. The widow had to learn to live one day at a time.

We, too, need to learn this lesson, otherwise we will sooner or later suffer a nervous breakdown. Each day brings new demands - but also new strength. The strength we receive, however, will be sufficient only for that one day. If we take upon ourselves the cares and worries of days to come, the strength will not be sufficient.

Often we may feel extremely weary when evening comes, and we drain the last drop from our cruse of oil. We dare not think of the demands that await us on the morrow.

Nor should we think of these. In peace let us lie down to rest, thanking God for the day that is past; and when morning dawns, God will provide us with a new supply of stength.

Elijah's God is the same today. Think of the widow of Zarephath and take courage.

taken from: REST A WHILE by Wisloff

Sunday Drive

We've had great weather for the last week or so and we're enjoying being outside and having a fire in the front yard in the evenings. We had a georgous day yesterday for a Sunday drive into the Adirondack mountains. We didn't go far, just enough to see the beautiful fall colors and then stopped in Harrisville for lunch and then a little walk in the scenic park where the river flows into the lake. That's when the 'mom alone with four children adventure's' really began... We happened to have a jump rope in the car, which I tied to one of LB's belt loops, just so I would have a little more to hang on to on our walk, especially with water around. BB and BG were in charge of LG and did a great job just running around the beautiful woods and climbing rocks and picking up sticks. We met a sweet older couple having a picnic and they asked me to take their picture, but other than that there wasn't anybody else around. So of course, when we get close to the water that is where LB wants to go. I managed to get him to look at a few other things and then turned my back on him for two seconds to snap a picture of LG and I hear a big SPLASH! Dropped the camera, ran over to where LB is flailing in about 2 feet of water, jumped in and fished him out, set him on his feet, patted his back and he was fine! He didn't swallow any water, didn't even cry, wanted a brief hug and then wanted to go back and throw more sticks in the water! Does nothing phase the boy?! I was pretty calm throughout, but didn't sleep very well last night with pictures of his big eyes in the water. I've become a more firm believer in the power of prayer and guardian angels the last few months because I am definetely not equipped to handle this without some Divine Intervention. So, keep the prayers coming and I'll try to mitigate the risks... I wish I could say I can just stay in the house, but I think I would be crazy in less than a week! Homebody I am not. Maybe this is a wake-up for me that I do have limitations and I can't do whatever I want to with four kids in tow. And also a reminder that it's OK to be bored once in a while. I try to teach my kids that they don't need to have an activity all the time, but then don't apply it to myself! If I'm bored with being in the house or procrastinating about housework, I'm very quick to find something to do away from home and that's when I get into 'trouble' with time, money, and unplanned adventures...

Drama and hysterics

BG came home from school yesterday not feeling very well; sore throat, fever, tired. So I gave her Tylenol and put her in bed and she woke up fine this morning except she came in my room while she was getting dressed and said 'Mommy, I can't get this off of me." I look at her side and there's a big tick on her left side! As soon as I say, "we have to take this out," she starts crying and screaming and then she saw the tweezers! So, after moving her from two different bathrooms and finally to my bed, I'm trying to hold her still and take the tick out at the same time and of course just end up breaking it off without getting the whole thing out. We end up going to the ER in Carthage because her doctor couldn't see her and I was afraid I would hurt her if I tried holding her down again to get the rest! The girl can scream and thrash like nobody's business... It took another nurse holding her arms and head and me holding her lower body for the ER doc to get the rest out. It's times like this, that I wonder where kids get some of their personality traits. I mean, I've never been tortured or anything, but I would say I have a pretty high pain threshhold and I just want to tell her "I birthed you with no drugs, so buck up girl and get a grip, it's just tweezers!" And BB is just the opposite from her, he didn't say a peep even with the top of his head split open by a baseball bat, requiring 6 staples and then removal of staples a week later. I guess it's just another reminder of how they are all individuals and what works for one, certainly doesn't work for another. Sure keeps life interesting...

A georgeous day

at Old MacDonald's Farm near Sackett's Harbor today! LB was a little bit under the weather, but we decided to go anyway for the military appreciation day at the farm. So Motrin to the rescue and we all had a great day looking at all the animals and petting ponies and alpacas and rabbits and goats everywhere! We went on a wagon ride and fed some pigs and cows (they have rough tongues) and then went through the corn maze and finally to the pumpkin patch, which was LB's favorite place. He's been pointing out all the 'bumpins' we pass the last few days and he really liked sitting on them. I guess it's becoming a tradition for us to visit a farm or pumpkin patch type thing in the fall and it's kind of nice to hear the kids talk about going to the one in Arizona (Apple Annie's) and the one in Kansas (Deanna Rose Farm) and how they're all different and their favorite things about each. Anyway, beautiful day, perfect weather, and kids who didn't whine too much about not getting a toy in the ever present 'gift shop.'

Introducing...

Conan the Barbunian:





Not quite the fierce fighter as his name would suggest, which is a good thing in a bunny! I finally caved in to the kids begging for a pet and since dogs and cats are out due to allergies, a bunny it is. OK, who am I kidding. I've been missing having a pet for ages now, so I'm happy the kids gave me an excuse! He's very mellow with the kids and playful, as far as rabbits go. And BB and BG are so far excited about 'helping' take care of him. LB is not so sure about him moving around freely, but he'll come up and pet Conan if I'm holding him. LG likes to try to pat him as he hops by, but so far he's evaded her...

The rest of the cancer story (I hope!)

Someone asked me how my radiation stuff went the other day and I realized I never finished my updates. So, I did my Radioactive Iodine treatment the beginning of September and spent 2 days in isolation. My hospital room definitely put a different spin on the meaning of prophylactics... The floor of my room was covered in paper and everything else from the telephone to the toilet seat was covered in plastic wrap. Comfy. I think I saw the nurses 2 times a day and someone would throw a tray of food over the barrier 3 times a day. The radiation safety officer provided commentary and became my friend when I told him I was a former Army Chemical Officer (I could tell he had been in the Army) and he didn't have to dumb things down too much for me during the whole radiation half life lecture. So they did my scan on that Wednesday before discharging me and said everything looks like it's supposed to and all the iodine is still in my neck area with no 'floaters' anywhere else in my body. I go back in six months for another scan to see if the radiation did what it was supposed to and all the thyroid tissue/cancer is gone. And the good news is I got to start taking Synthroid (synthetic thyroid hormone) and am finally starting to feel human again. I started working out again last week and am hoping that between the thyroid hormones, exercise, and the loss of taste sensation (side effect from radiation) the weight will start going down too!

So during my isolation the kids got to spend some time with Auntie M and my only regret is that I didn't get as much time with her as they did! We also got to have my Aunt B here for a week after M left. It was wonderful blessing to have her here to help out and play with the kids and get out and see the area a little bit. A few pics from her visit:

We seem to be getting into a routine with the big kids in school and twins in daycare twice a week and starting a few activities also. BB is really loving school as evidenced today by not even mentioning staying home today even though BB was home sick. She gladly got ready and got on the bus. It's still a long day for her and she's a bit of a beast in the evenings. BB had a little stomach thing last night and LG had a fever yesterday also, so we've been laying low today. OK, I'll quit now before this gets too long! Obviously haven't been writing enough if I want to say everything in one post...

Scary...

crazy, wild little boy with no fear... BG started gymnastics last week and when we came home LB started doing somersaults off the couch and all over the place. At least he put the cushions on the floor first! He's also trying to 'fly' meaning diving chest first onto the cushions from the couch. So do I take him to the mom n tot 'gymnastics' and try to teach him how to do the stuff correctly or will that just encourage him to try more? LG's trying to do it too, but she can't even get her feet over when she tries to forward roll so I'm not too worried about her yet...

tagged?

OK, this is a new thing for me in the blogging world, but I was tagged by Laundry, Little Boys and Lattes. Here's the rules:

1. Post the rules on your blog
2. Write 6 random things about yourself
3. Tag 6 people at the end of your post

6 random things about me

1. I can't stand purposely misspelled words and sometimes avoid products or places because of it; ie Krispy Kremes or Kut 'n Kurl.

2. I love cooking, eating and working out, but recently the eating has been winning!

3. I like taking random side roads while driving, although not as often with kids in tow.

4. I know how to load a vehicle to it's maximum capacity and still fit 6 people in it.

5. I think I'm funny sometimes and have no problems laughing at myself.

6. I've been accused of sesquipedalianism, although my vocabulary has dwindled significantly in recent years.

I tag:
Galingers on the Go
Displaced Beachbums
Daily Dose of the Dentes
Somero Saga
Chaos in Motion
and I don't know anyone else who hasn't already been tagged!

On August 7, 2006

I was in the hospital for a much more joyous occasion than on August 7th of this year... We welcomed LG and LB to our family and haven't been the same since! I can't believe they are already 2 years old... Only a month late but here's a then and now:









and a 'nice' little poem my sister Melissa wrote for me after they were born:

From two kids to four
just like that,
little twins that
made you fat.
They're bundles of love
sent from heaven above.
One's a girl,
the other's a boy,
two little babies
for twice the joy!

And some personality name games:

Joyful
Outgoing
Smiley
Infectious Laugh
Effervescent

Rough and Ready
Overdrive
Hop, Climb, Jump
Affectionate
NO!

One thing at a time

Since I have a lot to catch up on, I thought I would do it one at a time instead of one huge post... Don't want to overwhelm myself or anyone else! So back to school is next on the agenda:





Here's a couple of pics of the kids getting off the bus. A week into it and they are settling into their classes. BB was reluctant to give his man teacher a chance at first, feeling that he yelled at them all the time. I told him he had to give it a week and see how he thought of it after that. I figured it was just a matter of him having a louder voice than he was used to and seems I was right and he's feeling much better about his teacher now (and may even like him!). I'm not one who jumps in at the slightest hint of 'my child is unhappy therefore I must change everything.' I guess I want my kids to learn to get along with people and it would be a big diservice to BB to not teach him that there are many different people they will come across in life and that he needs to find a hopefully positive way to deal with all of them. Of course, I did do my 'research' first when I found out who he had and heard positive things about his teacher. I know there are a few teachers out there who are just mean or choose to pick on one child and in those cases I would offer some more concrete support to BB than just saying 'give the guy a chance before you decide you don't like him.'

BG is happy so far, although it is a long day for her. Poor girl falls asleep on the bus ride home almost every day. They get on the bus at 8:15 start school at 9:00 finish at 3:25 and are supposed to get home at 4:00 but the bus has been at least 15 minutes late every day! She is enjoying her teacher and friends and class so far and is already 'reading' her sight word books she's bringing home. I attribute that to Starfall.com for the most part, 'cause lazy parent that I am, I surely haven't been working on reading... After a few tears watching her get on the bus the first day (my little girl growing up so fast), I'm glad she's excited about school! LB and LG on the other hand really miss them both and ask for them all day and give them a big hug when they get off the bus. R points at every school bus he sees and asks 'Num? and Ba-belle?'

End of Summer

Melissa figured out my camera issues while she was here, so finally able to get the rest of the summer pictures downloaded and all that. Despite everything else going on, we did get some fun day trips and things like that in this summer.
When John was home we went to the REnaissance Festival in Sterling, New York. Always fun to see the funny people walking around and the interesting exhibits and little money traps set up everywhere. Kids really enjoy it, but I think John likes it most...

We also had a couple of evenings of just sitting by the fire pit, roasting marshmallows and probably the shortest backyard campout ever. Daddy told a scary story and 5 minutes later everyone was inside. Planned outcome??? Perhaps.

A little swimming trip to Remington Pond on post and to the playground there. Rohan kept going over to the boats because he didn't want to actually get in the water to get to the slide. After he saw that the slide led into the water, he lost interest.

We made it to Wescott State Beach a couple of more times, and Elowyn and the big kids and I spent a day in Alexandria Bay and took a short boat tour of a few of the 1000 Islands and Boldt Castle. Beautiful day, unfortunately no pics.

Definetely a lot to do here if we can get outdoors and get going! I look forward to next summer when we'll have a daddy around to do some of it with us...

Remember...

...September 11, 2001. Since I actually looked at the date today, just thought I would send out a reminder to everyone to say a prayer today for all the survivors and families of those lost and those still fighting for the senseless attacks on our nation seven years ago.

quick note

Just a quick note to let everyone know I'll be 'enjoying' some forced peace and quiet the next couple of days while my sister M takes care of the kids and other stuff. Thanks again to everyone for your support and she's got a list of numbers to call 'just in case' of anything! I've been meaning to post the rest of summer pics and first day of school comments, but that will have to wait until later in the week! Have a Blessed week!

Problem solved

My sister, M, called today and I asked her what she was doing next week (I was just assuming she was working so hadn't asked her earlier) and she said she had it off. So I asked if she wanted to come out here for a few days and just like that, she'll be here Friday night until Thursday! Kids taken care of, although I do thank my wonderful friends who were ready to step up to the plate for us! So on that note, I've had reason to really appreciate my friends and family lately and have my own list of great friend qualities as demonstrated by those around me. Trying not to be too sappy here's what I've valued in friendship lately:

1. Asking "what can I do?" and not getting offended when I don't know!
2. Offers and gestures of help and really meaning it even if I don't take you up on it.
3. Watching my kids and not telling me when they're stinkers if it's not necessary.
4. Keeping the 'gossip' and the pity to a minimum.
5. My family giving up their vacations to take care of me and mine.
6. Being kind and not pointing out the truths since I probably already know I've gained weight lately, I'm looking a bit tired and my kids are running around like banshees without shoes!
7. Ignoring the 'spaciness' which is much worse for me lately.
8. Listening to me 'whisper' and only making fun a little bit ;-)
9. Trying to make time for fun despite everything else going on.
10. Encouraging words without going overboard and embarrassing me...
11. The many people praying for me and my family.

And many more little things that make wonderful friends and make me feel so much better just knowing they're my friends. So just in case I forget to say it: Thanks, and I appreciate everything from all of you! I'm still not looking forward to being in isolation for 2-3 days but it's a lot better knowing I have so many great people around to count on...

Procrastinating

OK, I've been putting off thinking about my upcoming treatment, and it's time to stop! I had my initial scan Mon/Tues and the results were nothing unexpected, however, I'm going to need a rather large amount of radioactive iodine to 'oblete' any thyroid tissue left. The treatment itself is not bad, but the kicker is I have to stay in isolation at the hospital in Syracuse for 48 hours so I don't 'contaminate' others. So I'm stressing about what to do with my children for 2-3 days while I sit in the hospital. It's not that I don't have options, I do. I've got great friends and neighbors and family and FRG to help me. I just can't seem to make any kind of decisions and I hate being in the position of needing to ask for or accept help. So, I'm going to pray about the situation today and hopefully come to some peace and humbleness about needing help.

Other than that, we've been busy, busy this week getting some stuff done. While we were in Syracuse we went to the State Fair Monday afternoon after my appointment and had fun looking at the animals (favorites were the rabbits and feeding the giraffes) and the midway of course! There must be something about a mom with a bunch of kids that compels people to give us stuff. Somebody gave us some ride coupons at the fair and when we went to the Renaissance Festival with J somebody gave us a bunch of entrance tickets! Maybe I'm just projecting neediness right now... Thank you kind strangers.

In the house niece E has big a huge help with organizing projects. We got the office area done last week, the laundry room done Sunday and we painted the living room and one wall in the kitchen yesterday! As soon as I get my camera working I'll post some pictures, but I love green walls! Preparing for a long cold winter doesn't seem so bad with some brightness in the house...

We met BG's teacher yesterday and she showed her stubborn/shy streak right off the bat. She refused to draw the picture of herself. Later, when I asked her why she said she didn't want to mess it up. Too much pressure already! We also found out BB has Mr. Webb which is what I was hoping for him. I think he needs someone who is 'nice but doesn't put up with any nonsense,' which is how he is described. And a good teacher too...

So, another appointment tomorrow back in Syracuse, then relax for the weekend and E is leaving us on Monday. I'm not really looking forward to that! She's been wonderful with the kids and helping around the house. Between her and babysitter Melissa, my family has been really blessed this summer!

What boys are like

BG's perspective on her brothers:

They be gross
They be wild
They be stinky
They be loud
They be dirty
They be crazy

From mommy's perspective that's pretty much spot on with a couple additions:

They're really sweet
They give great hugs
They're funny
They're easy

Search and Destroy

It struck me as funny that the Radioactive Iodine I'm to recieve on Monday is called a 'search' dose. Basically, it's to find where in my body any remaining thyroid tissue/cancer is located and from that they will determine what I'll refer to as the 'destroy' dose. Which will do as indicated and kill any remaining thyroid tissue. At least that's the plan.

In other news:

I've been meaning to post about the twins turning two but I'm having problems with my camera and the computer not wanting to recognize it anymore. As soon as I fix that problem, we'll have a birthday update.

And speaking of computers, I, yes me, all by myself, installed a wireless PCI adapter into the old computer for the kids to use. Only took me a couple of hours and then when I get to the part of actually connecting to the internet the computer decides it doesn't like it and shuts down... Any advice? It was acting funny and doing that sort of thing prior to installing the new hardware so maybe reloading Windows will help (not that I've ever done that before). And I did get all my pics off it prior to messing with the insides...

E and I also organized and rearranged the 'office' area in preparation for school starting. I wanted a spot the kids will actually use and we were overrun by arts and craft supplies...

A couple of other organizing projects planned (laundry room, aaahhh!) for next week along with doctors appointments and then school will be starting! I think we're all ready for it!

What do you do all day?

A friend emailed this and since my brain is in fog and can't keep a thought for more than 3 seconds, I thought I would post this instead of random thoughts...

A man came home from work and found his three children outside, still in their pajamas, playing in the mud, with empty food boxes and wrappers strewn all around the front yard. The door of his wife's car was open, as was the front door to the house and there was no sign of the dog. Proceeding into the entry, he found an even bigger mess. A lamp had been knocked over, and the throw rug was wadded against one wall. In the front room the TV was loudly blaring a Cartoon channel, and the family room was strewn with toys and various items of clothing. In the kitchen, dishes filled the sink, breakfast food was spilled on the counter, the fridge door was open wide, dog food was spilled on the floor, a broken glass lay under the table, and a small pile of sand was spread by the back door. He quickly headed up the stairs, stepping over toys and more piles of clothes, looking for his wife. He was worried she might be ill, or that something serious had happened. He was met with a small trickle of water as it made its way out the bathroom door. As he peered inside he found wet towels, scummy soap and more toys strewn over the floor. Miles of toilet paper lay in a heap and toothpaste had been smeared over the mirror and walls. As he rushed to the bedroom, he found his wife still curled up in the bed in her pajamas, reading a novel. She looked up at him, smiled, and asked how his day went. He looked at her bewildered and asked, 'What happened here today?' She again smiled and answered, 'You know every day when you come home from work and you ask me what in the hell I do all day?' 'Yes,' was his incredulous reply. She answered, 'Well, today I didn't do it.'

Vocally challenged

So the main side effect from my thyroid surgery is that my voice is not healed yet and I can't talk very loud. Try whispering while 'yelling' at your children or ordering from the McDonalds drive through. Doesn't quite get the job done... My children realized that I can't yell at them and are taking full advantage. Luckily, J is here for enforcement for another week and niece E can put 'translator for the vocally challanged' on a future resume or maybe 'family communications specialist.' She's been a great help the last week! Had a lovely night out with her and a friend last night despite my whispering all evening and we were discussing the different types of babysitters. There are ones who are great with the kids but don't 'clean up' and there are those who 'clean up' and park your kids in front of the TV and a very few who do both. With E we are blessed with one who does both! She's been keeping the kids busy and managing to keep my dishes done and, Bless her, she put my groceries away yesterday (which I hate doing) and cleaned out the refridgerator! And just an all around sweetheart to have around! Perhaps her flight home will be indefinetly delayed...

another health update

I meant to post a little before I went to the hospital yesterday, just to let everyone know that J made it home on Wednesday and my niece got in Tuesday night. We went to pick her up in Syracuse and decided to stay down there just in case J came in the next day, and he did! And we got some school shopping done too!

So I had the rest of my thyroid removed yesterday without any problems. I'll see the doc on Monday to get stitches out and discuss the next step in my cancer treatment. In the meantime, he told me to prepare to feel 'lousy' since I will have no thyroid hormones for the next several weeks at least. joy.

But on the brighter side, thanks to everyone for your cards and phonecalls and positive thoughts and prayers and meals and help with kids. I know they are helping! and I do appreciate every one of them even if I haven't called to tell you so!

Lake Ontario

We did get a little bit of time when K and D were here to hit the 'beach.' Wescott State Beach is about 30 minutes away from us just south of Sackett's Harbor on Lake Ontario. It was a little stormy that afternoon so we had to wait for a while to actually go in the water, but there were nice playgrounds and picnic areas to keep the kids busy. When we did get in the lake, the water temp was around 68 degrees which was bearable until the wind started picking up again. LB didn't like the cold water at all and headed back up to the beach. LG liked it as long as K was holding her so she could dunk her head in and out and the other kids loved it! We will definetly get back over there before the lake freezes in a couple of months!

Some women...

...will do anything to get their husbands home from Iraq... I'm thinking cancer might do the trick. In all seriousness, I would much rather he come home on his scheduled R&R so we could actually have some fun and relax, but I saw my doctor on Thursday and the pathology report for my thyroid and the tumor on it was cancerous. He explained that of the three types of cancer, mine is the least aggressive, easiest to treat and was very positive that it wasn't 'too serious.' But, he does want to remove the remainder of my thyroid next Thursday and then I will take radioactive iodine to kill any remaining thyroid/cancer cells. Most likely no further treatment will be necessary (oh, except synthetic thyroid hormone the rest of my life, but I can deal with that).

I guess I wasn't too surprised by the results since I knew the nodule grew pretty quickly, so I was kind of expecting the worst. I'm more worried about the logistics of having surgery again, but have faith that God will provide everything I need as He has done in the past. J is trying to get back before Thursday, my niece is coming to stay with us on Tuesday and will be a great help with the kids and we are blessed with wonderful friends and neighbors here.

VBS or Last Minute Day Care

Before I went to my appt yesterday I had to find some childcare for my kids and was striking out on all my trusted sources. One of my friends mentioned that Vacation Bible School just started at the Chapel (about a mile from us)at 9:00. So this is 9:30, kids are still in pjs and BB hasn't eaten breakfast yet and my appointment is at 10:15 in Carthage (20 minutes away). Guess what kids, you get to go to VBS this week! (I was hoping they would get to go to one this summer) They got dressed in record time, ate a muffin in the car and we got over there about 9:45 and got them registered. BG was a bit reluctant to join the class until she saw her friends were there and then it was 'see you later Mom.' I think everywhere else we've gone to VBS they've done Catholic and Protestant together, but not here. So, they're going to Catholic VBS (I'm sure it will be pretty identical to Protestant VBS with maybe a little less whoopin' and hollerin') this week which I think works out pretty good since most of their friends are Catholic. And while I feel a slight tinge of guilt for using VBS as a last minute babysitter, I am happy to have found out about it in time and they get to go learn more about Jesus, which can't be a bad thing... Time to go pick them up!

Waiting and itching...

I went for my Dr. appt today to get my stitches out and he looked at my red, itchy neck and wanted to take the stitches out and put more tape on it??? Hello!? Guess he didn't get it that I'm allergic to the tape (even though it's written on a red allergy wrist band during surgery) or adhesive or whatever is making a nice rectangle of burning itch around the actual cut. Can you tell it's making me cranky... Anyway, I said I would rather keep the stitches in my neck, lovely as they are, for a few more days than deal with anymore allergic reactions. He then said he could take them out on Thursday and hopefully have the biopsy report then also and said not to put anything on the itch. I have to admit that I wasn't exactly a model patient with this doc on our last encounter... He removed a mole from my chest a few weeks ago and I couldn't make the follow up so I removed my own stitches and blew off the follow up. I figured if it was malignant he would call me. You know what they say about payback...

Wedding weekend and other stuff...

So our trip to NH/MA for my dad and Hilkka's wedding started with getting blood drawn Thursday morning and then driving to Boston to meet Katrina and Devon at the airport. Kids did great in the car again and we only stopped once in 6 hours! We had to wait a little while for her flight so I called around to get a hotel that wasn't $6k per night (one place wanted to give us the presidential suite to fit us all in). We drove around Boston and Cambridge a little bit and got some dinner and found our hotel. I'm loving my GPS navigator! The kids were excited to see Devon and they were all antsy and giggly and pokey at dinner and back at the hotel.
Friday morning we found a mall nearby to pick up some last minute items (shoes mainly) for the kids and then drove to New Ipswich, NH to stay with childhood friend Lisa, married to Hilkka's son Ray! Getting around and out of Boston was a mess and took a lot longer than we thought, but lots of beautiful buildings, etc.. Rehearsal that evening with kids running everywhere and meeting a lot of new people. BB was really excited to have more cousins! Lost LB for just a little bit, he was in the pastor's office at the front of the church.

Next day we hung out with Ray and Lisa for a while and then made a quick trip (everything is at least 30 minutes away) to find a last minute item for D's flowergirl ensemble. No luck but we saw lots of beautiful, rural New England! Got back just in time to get dressed and get to the church for pictures and then see a beautiful wedding! I'm happy for my dad that he's found someone to love and love him back! I know they will face some challanges ahead and pray that God showers his Blessings on their new life together!

On Sunday, we packed our bags and loaded up and then spent some time with sister C and husband T and brother J. We left Sunday evening and made it Utica before we had to stop and sleep and made it home Monday afternoon. Unpacked, grocery store and crashed.

Oh, in case you're wondering about the bruised faces, I haven't beaten my kids...yet. BG fell off a bike at hourly care last week and landed on her face and BB was jumping around at the hotel Friday morning and hit his eye on the corner of a chair. He did't get much sympathy from me either as I had just told him to stop jumping around! This always happens just before we're about to take pictures...

Tuesday I had my pre-op appt and Wed we went to Wescott State Beach for a while and played in the water until the wind picked up and then K and I went out for dinner and movie.

Yesterday I went in for my surgery and had the right side of my thyroid removed. As mentioned in previous posts, I had a nodule on it and it was covering most of the right side so they removed the whole right side. I won't have any biopsy results until next Thursday, so another week of waiting...

All is going well so far and K is here to help me out until Monday when I go back for checkup and stiches out. Thanks for all the thoughts and prayers sent my way!

Congratulations

Dad and Hilkka! Wed on July 19, 2008.
Wishing you many happy years together!



Stay tuned... details and more pictures to follow...

Some people....

...will do anything for attention. Recently for me it's been my health, but not exactly the kind of attention I want! I find myself talking about my issues a lot the last couple of years and I never wanted to be that person... But, there's stuff going on that I can't hide from and it's caused a change in plans for us so here's the update:

I was working out a few weeks ago and felt like my airway was a little obstructed, so I started feeling around on my neck and noticed some swelling around my thyroid. So, went to the dr because that seems to be my main activity lately and she said I have a nodule on my thyroid and ordered some tests and labwork, etc... Had a thyroid ultrasound and uptake test Monday and Tuesday and Wednesday morning (quick, huh?) my doc called and said I needed to go have the nodule on my thyroid biopsied asap, so the surgeon said come right now (8:45 this morning). Turns out they don't do a needle biopsy, they treat it like a tumor and remove it then see what it is. So, instead of a cross country excursion next week, I'm having the nodule and possibly the right half of my thyroid taken out.

In other health news I also saw the reumatologist for my follow up and he's very 'suspicious' that I have an inflammatory disease in my spine based on 4 out of 5factors (pain, stiffness in am, genetic pre-disposition, eye inflammation, but blood test did not indicate inflammation in my body). So he suggested a trial of Remicaid which is an IV biologic that targets the TNF proteins and prevents inflammation. If it works then I have the disease, if it doesn't then it's something else. It's not exactly a short term treatment if it does work.

Also, visiting the doctor this week was LG with her ear drum issue. Doc said it looked like it was healing already and gave us some antibiotic ear drops just to make sure it doesn't get infected. Guess they usually heal pretty good and she doesn't seem bothered by it at all.

I'm trying not to stress out too much about the health issues but could sure use some prayers! It just feels like all bad stuff happens when J leaves. And he feels like he's missing all the good stuff! Sometimes I feel like our lives can be put on hold while he's gone, but they're not. Stuff happens, family members die, babies are born, people get sick, kids grow, they lose teeth, start walking, talking and life goes on but with a big hole in it...

Needless to say, our plans for the next few weeks have changed a bit. We are leaving tomorrow for my dad's wedding in NH and my sister and niece will come back here with us instead of all of us driving to CA together. Then depending on how everything goes, Katrina will fly back or we'll drive. Kids were really looking forward to visiting with their friends in KS and their cousins on the West Coast, but they were pretty good about it especially when I told them Devon would be staying at our house for a little while. I better get some sleep so I can drive to Boston tomorrow...

Almost forgot my bright sides:
My sister is coming!
I only had to pack for the weekend instead of the whole summer!
I've had a wonderful babysitter the last couple of weeks!
I've great friends and neighbors who help look out for me and my kids!
We're going to have a great weekend in a part of the country we've never been in and meet a bunch of new people!

Last Week

I have so much to do right now that I feel slightly guilty sitting here writing, but I use the excuse that it helps me focus... Not that I really need an excuse; I decided that I really like this blog thing. I have no idea who is actually reading it, but I sure like writing and getting some things down. Especially with J gone and nobody to talk to every day, it kind of feels like I'm having a conversation of the best sort where nobody tells me my opinion is wrong or interrupts me or asks me why. Not that I wouldn't love to have a 'real' conversation every day, but I'll take this as second best!

Anyway, this past week we've travelled, visited the ER, killed one of God's furry creatures, cleaned carpets and the van, and a bunch of other stuff...

We decided to make a quick trip to NJ this week to see Pop-pop and Mom-mom Adams before leaving for the rest of the summer. The kids all did a great job riding in the car both to and from, so I'm hopeful for our cross-country excursion next week! We had a wonderful visit again and kids got to play with their cousins again. Our only regret is that J can't be there with us. I ventured to Long Beach Island on my own with the kids on Thursday afternoon and they had a blast at the beach and amusement park and the beach shops. LB and LG were a bit apprehensive about the whole ocean thing; which I'm actually quite thankful for. I don't think I could have handled all of them running crazy all over the place. LB did venture down the water very briefly, but LG was content to sit on a towel and play with sand. BG and BB wanted to stay the rest of the day... OK, I don't reccommend taking 4 kids to an amusement park by yourself: LB started crying when BB went on a ride and wanted to go too. So when I put him on a ride with BG, it went around a few times and then he got scared. Then he cried every time BB and BG went on a ride until finally I found a little cars going around ride he went on w/ BG. He was happy until we took him off! More screaming, and of course I can't go on any rides with them and LG was content to sit in the back of the stroller with her thumb in her mouth taking it all in... We had a good trip back until...

we just came in the gate to Fort Drum about 9:30pm and a family (mama and 3 babies) of skunks waddled in front of the van. I couldn't stop soon enough and hit one of the babies. I've never hit an animal before and it made me sad. And of course BB and BG both said they felt the 'bump.' We got sprayed also so the van still stinks on the outside a little bit. I checked the next day and there was just a spot on the road and it looked like it dragged into the woods, so now I feel even worse that the poor little creature suffered before it died.

I did get my carpets cleaned yesterday and today. Nothing like renting a Rug Dr for 24 hours to motivate you to actually clean the carpet. It still baffles me as to why they would put carpet in the dining areas of family housing. In case you didn't know, I'm not a big fan of carpet, period. I think it's disgusting because no matter how well you clean it, it's still 'dirty.' Of course if you look at my house you'll wonder why I pick carpeting to be grossed out about... I guess I like the potential of having things clean and carpet just doesn't give you that! Didn't take as long as I thought and I even got the stench out of our van! Still have a lot to do in the house before we leave and of course the never-ending laundry and packing. And I was set back a little bit by our trip to the ER yesterday...

LG (yes the nearly perfect child!) decided it was a good idea to put a small stick-shaped toy into her ear and then proceeded to fall off the couch with it in there, thus perforating her ear drum. At least that is what I think happened as I was in the kitchen making breakfast when I heard her scream. I found her on the floor with the toy next to her and she was pointing to her ear which was starting to bleed. So we drove to the ER in Carthage about 20 minutes away after being turned away on post at the acute care clinic because we have an off post primary care manager (the things they tell you after the fact). So the ER doc said that it was perforated but he couldn't really tell how bad because of the blood and to see her regular doctor on Monday and maybe have to see an ENT. So I don't know yet what the damage is and if it will heal on its own or what? She was the last child I expected to bring to the ER!

Anyway, I still have a lot to do this week before we depart on Thursday morning for the rest of the summer (I'll write those grandious plans next time), including clean the house, load music on ipods (maybe), laundry, pack, 4 different doctors appointments on Mon and Tues, etc, etc... I've been having my friend's daughter from down the street help out a couple of nights a week just so I can get a few more things done and am so thankful for the help!

OK, I heard the dryer stop so I better get moving again!