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!