Happy Easter!

We had an Easter weekend eggstravaganza. Began of Friday night with our kids going over the river to my sister and brother-in-law's house for a sleep-over. Uncle Ken and Aunt Caryn are moving at the end of the month to San Antonio, TX and so they offered to keep the kids and take them to Scott Air Force Base to show them Uncle Ken's plane and let them climb around in it. They got some cool pix and I'll have to wait til Caryn emails them to me. But needless to say, my kids had a blast and Ken and Caryn got a large dose of birth control. And are happily enjoying the kidless honeymoon stage. :-)

On Friday night while our kids were away, Dave and I were able to enjoy a dinner out and went up to Calvary Church to see a person called "The Jesus Painter". Wow. It was an amazing production. This 30 something guy has a gift to take a large canvas and just create some amazing portraits of Jesus. I highly recommend a glance at his website. Just google "the Jesus Painter". You can see all of his creations. It's more impactful if you can see him in person, however, because each of the paintings starts as one thing and gradually ends up being a picture of Jesus. Like my favorite, I think it's called, Jesus' eyes, started as a cross and a bridge, with people on one side and one person on hands and knees crawling across this bridge to the cross, and then the whole image of the face of Jesus emerged from that.... it was quite spectaucular. Anyway, check it out.

On Saturday, we all met up at Ken and Caryn's for an egg hunt and dinner. It was pretty fun, the only downer was how tired my kids were, so we didn't stay to play a game with the grown ups. Ah well.

Today, we got up and gave the kids their goodies. I'm thinking they were pretty happy with their Easter treasures. Only a smidge of candy. I'll be a candy nazi for the rest of my life it feels like. Only one time a day, if you deserve it, is my motto. :-)
They were good today too. Still battling the allergies really bad, which makes it hard to go outdoors at all. Not liking that so much, and they're both pretty doped up on Benadryl, which makes it strange here too. Kind of stare off into space a lot. :-)
We went to Calvary for church this morning. It was the first time we'd been to a Sunday morning service there in more than 6 years, but I truly enjoyed the worship time. It was vibrant and fun, and so full of vocalists and musicians. Maybe just a hint of me would find it fun to go back, but not sure that's really where God wants us. So next week, I'm guessing we'll go back to searching for a place to call home. Still no one from the church we're in the process of leaving-- calling to check in with us to see how we are or where we've been. Not one. We've not been there since the end of February. Poor Hannah asked to go there this morning. So difficult for me to explain to her all that's gone on. She would never understand, but she will be fine. I know that once we find some place, she will blossom. She's so friendly and kind, she will make fast friends for sure. I pray that it's soon. Tiresome feeling like a gypsy. But afraid to settle for just anything, and even more afraid to invest my heart and soul into another church for fear of it being stomped all over again. But knowing I have to trust God to make my path and to use the gifts He's given me to be a part of something bigger than just showing up on a Sunday. All prayers apprecialted as we search for His will.

Tomorrow sis is off school, so I'm trading baby sitting kids with my mom. A baby niece for a four year old niece, so I can take the big kids to the park for a while. So they can run and play and get all sorts of energy out. And hopefully not have any huge allergic reactions while we are still insurance free for 23 more days. :-) Also this week, I get to substitute at my son's Mom's Day out program. I nearly forgot about it. But he gets free tuition this month for me working 2 days. Not a bad trade off, if you ask me.

Other than that, I'm not sure what my week holds. I'm sure it will be busy, as it always seems to be. Gotta clean it up real good, cuz I'm hosting Caryn and Ken's going away party on Saturday. *sigh* It's all happening so fast. Even tho Caryn and I aren't the closest, it's freaking me out a little how far away she'll be and how that will change the dynamics of our family. Hoping they'll be able to travel our way for lots of the holidays without too much complication, but you just never know. Trying not to get all sad about it.

So, on a happy note, I'll close with a new pic of Dave and I. Finally cut my hair shorter again this week. What a relief! I'll try to post some kidlet pics tomorrow, or whenever I get them from Caryn. Have a wonderful week!

Jackpot!

I have won two blog candies in one week! How's that for some luck? Both center around stamping, and oddly both around the same blog in a round about way. The first was on Gina K Designs blog. All I had to do was leave a comment on her blog, and I won a bottle of Mono Multi Glue. Cool, huh? But then a few days later, I won a $20 gift certificate to Gina K Designs stamp store from Asela, one of Gina's guest designers, for commenting on her blog also. So, two blogs, one shopping spree! I'm a lucky girl!

They're BAAA-AAACK!

My two wonderfully cute kids are home again. They spent a week in Indiana with Dave's folks. They all seemed to have a great time and all seem to be exhausted as well. :-) The hardest parts are Dave and I saying good-bye when they leave us and then his parents crying as we take them back. *sigh* God love 'em. They are so excited when they get them. And we are blessed to have both of our parents so willing and excited to take our kids just about whenever we need them too!

This week has been crazy so far though! Yesterday was crazy busy. Glad it's done. Then today was less busy in a sense, but a playdate at the park with Hannah and a friend was COLD! I think that I just got so cold and then found that I couldn't get warm all day. So I'd hunker down under a blanket, and then I'd get sleepy. So my day was pretty unproductive! Ah well.

Some fun news: Dave got us 9th row floor seats to Alisson Krauss this July at the Scottrade Center (or whatever it's called now).
We have been to two of her concerts already. And we just really enjoy her and the laid back atmosphere of her concert. So I'm looking forward to that!

Went to the endocrinologist today. Trying to get my doctor visits in while we still have this insurance before the month long wait for our new insurance to start. So I had bloodwork done again after being on the methimazole for a month and my levels are getting better. Looks like my thyroid is balancing out a little, which will hopefully get me out of having to get the radio-active iodine treatment. My true wish is to get off of as much medication as I can. I am currently taking three daily meds and I'm only 33. I don't like that. And I don't want to make a habit of it. Which is another reason that this South Beach lifestyle seems to be a good fit for us. It can maybe help me to a med-free life too. By the way, today I am wearing a pair of capri pants that are two sizes smaller than before! Woohoo!

Had stamp class last night. Made some really cute cards at my friend/demo Lisa's house. She is quite crafty and I usually truly enjoy myself. The last few times have been crazy though! So many people, which is great for Lisa, but man, it's like LOUD and crazy! I took advantage of the Stampin Up March special and got me some fun paper, a jumbo wheel, and stamp set for bundle price and then got to order anything out of the mini catalog for half off! I was boring and got a pre folded card set in a new size... but I got it for only $3.28! And mostly went with that because none of the other stamp sets really lit me up. This weekend I was supposed to go to a shoe box swap, but time is just so packed with stuff to do, that I was able to talk another stamp friend who's going into taking my stuff for me. I was excited that she was willing! Thanks Beth!

Tomorrow I'm keeping Madison for Tracy. She is the little girl I watched part time for a year before my dog bit my son. After that, they stopped brining her. But this is Tracy's last full week of work as she is having another baby on 3/29. So, Maddi was asking for Spencer and Hannah so we'll have company all day tomorrow. Hopefully it will go well. Madison has just a slight temper! ;-) And quite a bite too!

*yawn* Well, I'd love to ramble on longer, but my brain is toast! I'll leave you with a fun picture...it is from our winter trip to Indiana. My kiddos' first b.b. gun experience! They were hilarious!

Day 2 without kids

So, it's been alright since my kids left to spend a week with Gma and Gpa. But it TOO quiet and I'm lonely. And I miss them! But it's been nice at the same time too. Dave and I walked Sunday and Monday nights. Tonight we were able to go up to the mall for Dave to find some pants for his new job, in a smaller size (way to go honey!). And we visited Trader Joe's for the first time where I discovered dark chocolate covered cherries. OMG! Delish! Tomorrow and Thursday nights we have dinner plans with two different couples. Which will be a blast too. Then on Friday morning, we'll head to Indy to see our kids and the in-law and the great grandparents too!

Today the weather was incredible! High 70's! I wore bermuda shorts. Not sure how I feel about how I look in them, but my friend Bethany assures me they looked fine and that my butt looked cute. I guess the most important thing was that they are a size smaller than what I had to wear last year. Last month for that matter. Although I have to say, eating healthier has its good side, but I am definitely going to be excited to eat a slice of Cheesecake Factory cheesecake tomorrow night! Lemon-Raspberry!
Bring it on!

Also today Bethany and I hung out. We ate lunch here at my house. I made a quite tasty chicken salad. Simply put, I cooked some tenderloins (the frozen ones from cosco) in the crock pot with minced onion, pepper, and chicken broth. After it was cooked, I shredded it, added some chopped red grapes, chopped celery, chopped walnuts and some mayo. Light on the mayo, cuz I don't prefer slimy salad. We served it up on little whole wheat pita bread. Nothing to go along with it, and it was fine. Quite happy with how it turned out. Then we ran a few errands together and came home to watch a movie. We watched, The Holiday, with Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet, Jude Law and Jack Black. Very charming movie! I really liked it! It's long, but I highly recommend it for a nice romantic movie with some laughs too.

Anyhow, I'm off to watch American Idol. Tomorrow is Bible study and lunch with my dear friend Lisa. Haven't seen her face to face for quite a while. Looking forward to it!

Ta Ta For Now!

Bye Kiddos:(

Today my two kids are leaving me for a week to spend time with their grandparents in Indiana. I'm so sad for them to go, tho I know they will have a blast and that Dave and I will have such fun not having to worry about childcare or ANY disciplining for one whole week. But it is still weird to let them leave. Feels like you looks all control (which I guess, in a way, you do). Dave's parents are great and I know this will be theraputic for them too. They are lonely up there since Jeremy's been gone, so this will be good for them.

Our kid-free plans for the week include: a day at the shooting range with Dave's new pistol, dinner with my sister and bro-in-law at cheesecake factory, dinner with another couple on another night, Dave's last week on call with ESI (woohoo!), and then a day off for Dave on Friday so that we can go get our kids back!

Speaking of Dave's last week on call with ESI! He got a new job as a consultant. He will be doing something pretty new for him, AND he will have a 50% pay raise on his hourly! That is going to be a huge blessing to us as we have some debt that we've been working on. Who doesn't, right? We've been pretty faithful every year when raise time came around to continue living off of the original salary, and applying the rest toward our debt. So, by doing this with the new job, we can very potentially look at having only a house payment left by the end of a year! I'm so thrilled by that prospect. It would be a huge stress relief and hopefully make us even more conscious about creating debt. Like learning to wait for what we want instead of instant gratification.

South Beach diet still going pretty well, I realize that we really need to incorporate the exercise part into our routines now. I hate that. I hate exercise. Always have. But I know it works and I know if I want to have a splurge once or twice a month on a night out in a restaurant of choice without regret, then I'll have to work harder on exercizing. So, we'll see how I can do that this week. Dave too. Wish us luck. He's down 18 pounds already! So proud of him!

Well, I'm off to do bathtimes so that my in-laws don't have to take stinky, dirty headed kids home with them. :)

Houston, we have strep!

So, to the best of my memory, we have our very first case of strep throat. My 6yo was running a fever when Dave and I got back into town from our weekend away. She was runnng about 102.7, so I kept her home from school yesterday and took her in to see our family doc. Doc says, throat isn't even red, fever was down, but she'd do a strep test anyhow. She came back into the room and said, "well, I lost the bet, cuz she's got strep". She said she never would've suspected it because of the symptoms not matching up.

Other than that, we are just waiting for the weekend. I know, it's only Tuesday. But on Thursday, Dave meets with his small group from church to tell them of our decision to leave this particular church. Then on Friday, Lord willing, he'll be giving his notice at work and, Lord willing, will have signed with a new company. Then LORD WILLING, our lives will once again not revolve around CRAP! We are so ready to just be done with these two overwhelming issues. Ready to be excited about going to church and for Dave to not dread going to work. We need some changes or we'll lose our minds.

Anyhoo. Hey, I've posted 2 days in a row! That's a record, I think!

Tonight we have parent/teacher conferences with Hannah's kindergarten teacher. Since she is home sick today, I sent her an email asking if there was anything she'd like me to have Hannah work on. And her teacher replied, that Hannah is so far ahead of the game, that she could do whatever she liked. You know what? She is a smart little girl. We are so proud of her!

I also got Spencer registered for Mom's Day Out for next year. He is excited. He loves school this year and is already excited about being in the monkey class next year. It will be a big class, but there are three teachers and they have a blast! He only goes 2 days a week, but it's so fun.

Idol's on tonight too! Woohoo! The guys are alright, I like Blake and Chris Sligh for the guys. The gals, I am all about Melinda Doolittle! She is my absolute favorite. And if Annotella Barbra doesn't get her hind end voted off this week, I'm gonna pitch a fit! She's is awful and people need to not vote for her to keep her around to make a fool of herself! Seriously!

A Forced Hand and Answer to Prayer

So, the last year+ background revolves a lot around the loss of my BIL, Jeremy. He died while responding to an EMS call in December 2005, Middletown, Indiana. Since then, our lives have been a roller coaster journey. Sometimes more harried than others. Other factors have played into this craziness like Dave's job (him being very unhappy where he is and seeking a new job), my health (recent diagnosis with hyperthyroidism, which took a long time to diagnose), and then just normal craziness is life.

One of the things I've struggled with for a year now, is our church. Admittedly, we have not been as involved since we lost Jeremy. We got the news of Jeremy's passing on a Sunday morning, and quite honestly--for a LONG time, we woke every Sunday morning feeling like we were caught up in a bad dream. So we found it difficult to get out of bed and go to church. And as Dave would say, we didn't want people staring us down with that "oh, are you all doing alright" look. KWIM? I realize that grieving is a white elephant in the middle of the room. It still is for me when other people grieve, makes me uncomfortable, though now it makes me more sad, cuz I've been there in a real way. So we kind of closed ourselves off in some ways. But not to everyone. Only the ones who wanted us to mysteriously "pop" back into normalcy. The part where is gets difficult is that some of those same people, have accused me personally of running away from God. People who have really made NO attempt to be a part of our lives since our loss. No card, no phone calls, nothing. One of them being the leader of our women, and the other being a friend. They are not the only ones to left us hanging... by any means, but they are the ones who accuse me of being disobedient for various non-issue things. The biggest one being on whether or not I attend a women's retreat. That was last year. This year, when I didn't go, the other EMAILS me to say, she "noticed I wasn't there, so she can only assume that I'm still struggling with my spiritual life or 'church' or both". WHAT? You can get all that about a person that you've had NO contact with in at least 5 months and very little contact with in a year? I DO NOT understand how people work. Especially when they make statements with "I can only respond to what God lays on my heart".
Um, God never lays on our heart to lay into a person and tell them what they assume about that person, or to tell them through email either. Scripture is very clear on confronting other Christians. In Matthew 18:15, we are told how if another believer is in "sin" that you are to go personally to them and correct them in love. However, my not being at a retreat and dropping back from church activities is not SIN. Clearly, I am not in sin on this church issue. I know there is sin in my life, as I am human. But my husband and I and a few family and friends are in prayer for our decision regarding whether to continue as members of the current church we are in, or to leave and seek a new church. This judgemental email I got last week was the answer to that prayer. We will no longer be going to that church. Hurtful as that email was, another dear friend pointed out to me, that I'd been asking God to show me whether to stick it out or just leave and get out of a toxic situation. God showed me how toxic the situation is. So Dave and I feel that is our answer.

Now the daunting part is explaining to our kids that we'll be moving on, and that we will be asking Jesus to show us to a church where not only Mommy and Daddy can grow in faith in a loving environment, but where they can make new friends and learn new things about Jesus too. And have MORE FUN! Any who are reading this who believe in prayer can be lifting us up as we begin our search. That we wouldn't carry this hurt around and that it would not scar us to the point of mis-trust no matter where we go. That we could find joy in worshipping on a Sunday morning again and not dread it so. And that our kids would be comforted and trust that God will show Mommy and Daddy where to go. And that He will take care of us all.

So, a new path begins. The hard part here is walking on it, even tho we don't know where it may lead. Time to boost the faith muscles!

What's new?

Lots going on here lately.

For starters, Dave and I have begun the South Beach Diet. Today started our 2nd week of phase 1. Dave is down 11 pounds already, and I am down 6. Not discouraged tho, I know that stinky ol boys lose weight faster that we girls. No worries. I fit into a pair of jeans that I'd opted to leave in the closet for a while because of comfort issues... so that is proof for me.

Got diagnosed with my first disease. Hyperthyroidism. Not sure how I feel about it. Still kind of trying to figure it all out. I think a part of me hopes that it may be the reason I get so emotional over things here lately. Not that I haven't always been that way, but the last two years in particular seem to have sent me over the edge. I can cry at the drop of a hat, over nothing even. So, my endocrinologist has me trying Methimazole for a month. The side effects are SCARY with this drug, so it's very short term. Most likely, I'll undergo a radioactive iodine treatment, where they will destroy my thyroid to keep it from over-producing the hormone. This will in turn send my body into hypothyroidism, which means I'll get to take medication the rest of my friggin life! YIPPEE! Sign me up! Figures I would not get the sudden weight loss symptom of the disease... instead I get the rapid heart rate.. even when I'm on a beta blocker! Go figure!

On to other frustrations: church. Ugh. I have such issues with it lately. Not church in general, but my church. This past year has been a real eye opening experience of finding out "who our friends are". In particular, for me, I've found out which leaders cannot be trusted. Which, in a weird sense, is good. Because it is forcing me to put my trust only in Christ to sustain me. Easier said than done, but it's all a process. Based on the scripture in Jeremiah 17:5-10. Which basically says, if you put your trust in people, you will wither up and dry up and cease to produce fruit... fear the drought and the storms... live miserably. On the other hand, if you put your trust in Christ, you will be unafraid of whatever life tosses you, and will still bear fruit... be planted by water so that your roots may grow down deep into the soil, strengthening you for what life brings.
Wow! Sounds simple doesn't it? Unfortunately for me, I know not how to make it simple. I am drawn to people more than I am to Christ. I can see people. I can touch people. It's more real. I believe Christ, I've seen His works in many ways, but sometimes, I feel I don't KNOW him as I could if I put forth more effort. So, I've been putting forth more effort over the last two months, and quite honestly, I've felt more turmoil. Especially regarding the church I attend. I feel like I'm coming out of my skin sometimes. Like people there are just liars and they are judgemental. It's like a big high school dance, and all the sides are chosen. All the cliches are formed and the outsiders, or non-conformers are left spinning like "what happened"?
So needless to say, hubby and I are in prayer about it. As much as we can. I find that each time we make it there (which requires effort in itself) we are more and more uncomfortable. What I'm mostly, honestly praying for is a way out, but I'm trying to pray for God's will in the situation.

This next month in March will be a busy one, but should be fun. The first weekend, Dave and I get to have a weekend without kids, as we head to Louisville, KY to the annual Supporting Heroes Banquet. We will meet his parents, and Jalinda, and his cousin Kimberly there. The banquet is to honor fallen heroes in the civil service realm: Police, Fire, and Paramedics.
We, unfortunately a part of this club now, because we lost Dave's brother, Jeremy, an EMT, in an accident in December 2005.
So, this is a memorial and a fundraiser all at the same time, so that any fallen heroes' families can be taken care of when the need arises. It's actually bittersweet. It's amazing how people can come to the aid of families. Amazing.

Then my little Hannah's cycle break comes this month too. She and Spence will be heading up to Indiana for a whole week! Staying with Grandma and Grandpa Rodecap. They've talked about it for weeks and ask all the time, "When can we go?".

Dave will hopefully be blessed with a new job this month too. We are ALL pulling for that. He is in an extremely toxic place right now... nothing to look forward to there or to work towards even. Just a lot of hard work and empty promises. He's done. It's now just a matter of finding a new place to go. All prayers appreciated.

Well, it's that time of day when it's getting difficult to keep the eyes open. We've been enjoying the first Lord of the Rings movie on our new TV. It's awfully nice! Having a geek for a husband has it's perks. :-) I'll try not to wait so long to report again. Hopefully I'll have good news soon! TA TA FOR NOW!

Long time-No blog.

Excuse the absense. No excuse, just haven't updated.

Lots to report tho. The latest news being that I have a new nephew. My first nephew, in fact. Lucas Joseph Becker... and he is just the teeniest, most precious little boy! He was 6 pounds, 7 ounces and around 19 inches long. His mommy, Shannon, and daddy, Dwight, and big sister, Sarah are all happy that he is here and healthy. And so is the rest of his very large family.

And my niece, Haley is growing like a weed. She is coming to spend the day with me on Saturday. I look forward to that. Here is a picture of her and I at the hospital visiting the new cousin. :)

Dave is doing alright. He is really struggling at work. Needing a change, but not sure what exactly to pursue. There is a job opportunity that is coming up with IBM in Indiana, really close to his parents, but it's not doing what he wants to do. Another freind of ours just went back to working for Mastercard... and that may be an avenue that he pursues, which would be a fantastic commute and some good benefits. So, I know he'll be okay, but it is SO difficult to watch him get so down. I know the weather is not helping. It also doesn't help that he is chained to a desk all day long.

This weekend in the RV show in St. Louis. We are going to take the kids down and check them out. We are really wanting to camp more this year. We need to do things like that more.. be outdoors and away from T.V.s and computers. We are getting rid of our satellite as soon as we go buy an antennae for the television. We need to watch it less and read more, play more, sleep more.

The kids are good. Hannah is doing fantastically in Kindergarten. She's basically passed it already. But is loving reading and is reading on a 1-2 grade level, if not a little higher. Spencer is having fun at mom's day out, and is learning his letters really well. He writes his name really nicely for just turning 4.

My biggest news is that I have offically given up soda. Cold turkey, and it's going just fine. It's been nearly a month and I'm not craving it at all. Whew! Hopefully, it will continue that way. I'll tackle another life change next month. Baby steps. :-)

So here is the dress for my sister's wedding. I like it, actually, more than the one I originally had chosen. Shannon and I will be wearing a color called Pool, like a light/medium turquoise. Amanda, Megan, and Caren will be wearing more of a teal color. All of our dresses are long, so Caryn said we can wear whatever shoes we want. Which is cool. I think I'll start tanning once a week to get some color over the next 3 months.

Anyhow, tomorrow Spencer and Hannah will both be at school all day. My only plans are to have lunch with my dear friend Lisa. We are going to a fantastic Italian place, called Frankie Tocco's pizzaria. They have really yummy pizza. They also have an appetizer called a rice ball. It's so yummy. It's risotto, peae, meat, cheese, all rolled up into a ball and fried. So tasty, dipped in marinara. I cannot wait to hang out with her too. She's been my right arm this year. Not only does she provide me with my stamping addiction, but she is an amazing friend.

Now, I'm gonna finish watching Grey's anatomy and veg on the computer while hubby gets on a work call. Thank God tomorrow is Friday!

FAMILY--Can't live without them-Can't shoot them!

I need to have a shooting night with my hubby. My family (not the ones that live IN my house) is driving me bonkers. Literally, I've felt like pulling my hair out and screaming. My youngest sister that just had a baby was upset about a wise crack I made, (which, looking back, I realize was probably not appropriate even meant in jest), HOWEVER, she failed to tell me this really bothered her and instead pulled the silent treatment, not returning phone calls act. WTF!!! She is 21 years old and a mother! She should be adult enough to let me know that I upset her enough to ignore me for 2 freaking weeks! Really frustrated me, cuz not only do I NOT want to hurt her, I don't want her to be upset with me, and not tell me, so I can fix it!

My other sister, the one getting married, seems to still be bent out of shape over my comment of having to starve myself in order to feel good about being in her wedding. Bottom line there? Skinny people don't understand fat people. I, of course, am not literally going to starve myself, but she got a size 4 dress off the rack, while I'm trying on size 18 tents... excuse me if that makes me feel crappy about myself.

I'll admit one of my faults is that one, I cannot hide my emotions well. And two, I speak sometimes before I think. And even when it's not directed at someone, like when I said "I'm gonna have to starve myself"--it can still start a land slide that my emotional self is never prepared for.

Let's see, my dad and I went to lunch with my little boy today. Yeah, Dad proceeded to tell me that he and my mom were about to split back in July. Nice. I needed to hear that. I don't have enough anxiety in my life, what with the death of my BIL, the heart operation of my dad, one sister having a baby, one getting married, my kid starting kindergarten, ...... JEEZ!

What is it about a person that makes them handle stress in a healthy way? Why can't I figure it out? I feel like a basketcase 75-85 % of the time. Over whether I am succeeding in parenting and marriage. Over whether my family thinks I'm doing a good job and are proud of me? Over whether my siblings give a rat's ass if I dropped off the face of the earth, except they'd be outta free childcare that they never reciprocate? Whether or not I'll ever feel about God the way I thought I did, and whether the feeling of trusting Him in all situations will ever happen.

Naw, I've got nothing going on.

Anyway, gonna go try to do something fun with my two children, so they don't remember me as the crying basketcase that I have been today.

Take Me Out To The Ballgame!!!

My sister Caryn is a nuclear medical tech at a cardiology clinic here in St. Louis. Earlier this year, she did a heart scan on Auggie Busch, a former owner of the St. Louis Cardinals. He gave her eight tickets to last nights game agains the Chicago Cubs. Caryn invited all four of us siblings, Mom and Dad, and her fiance', Ken. Ken, by the way, proposed about two weeks ago, and they are getting married on December 10th! Anyhow, these tickets weren't just any old tickets. We were in the front row, along the first base line, looking into the Cardinal dugout!!!! OMG, it was absolutely incredible! It was as if we could reach out and high-five the players!

Anywho, here are some pictures from our fun night at the ballgame!

She's HERE!

On Tuesday, August 22nd, my baby sister, Megan and her fiance' Patrick welcomed their daughter, Haley Jane into the world. She is just precious. Cutest little dimple on her chin and very alert. She was 7 pounds and 11 ounces. Just beautiful.

It stirred emotions in me that I was NOT prepared for. Dave and I have decided our family of four was perfect the way it was and we took precautions to keep it that size. Well, being at the hospital just plain made me sad and long for that feeling of a newborn experience. Even though I know we made the right decision, the feeling blind-sided me. I'm recovering though and will get lots of time with Haley when Megan goes back to work. I'm the only sister at home during the day. And my SIL, Shannon is expecting in January. I know I'll be busy with nieces and nephews!

How would YOU respond?

Background: DH and I have been very involved in a small group Bible study for nearly 6 years. The last 2 have not been so fulfilling as before. Too much drama, not enough heart. Troubles with wife of the couple that leads.

Anyhow, last December, we suffered a very tragic loss of my BIL. Life has just not been the same, which is totally normal, according to my counselor friend, and another friend who lost her brother 2 years ago. This woman, and a handful of others from church just don't seem to understand why we aren't just bouncing back into everything we had been involved in before.

Fast forward to this afternoon. This woman asked me to keep her 3yo DD while she worked with a homebound student for about 2 hours. I have a 3yo DS and so I agreed, and they were great, played together. Well, she comes back to get her, and I TRY to make small talk to be friendly. As she leaves, she asks whether we are coming to small group picnic on Sunday. I say no.
She then asks when are we coming back to small group? I say, "I don't know." Then SHE SAYS... "well, I'll just keep asking til you feel guilty."

WHAT????? Seriously, does she think that makes me want to come back sooner? I responded with a simple. "I don't feel guilty." I refuse (at least I'm trying to refuse) to let ANYONE guilt me into anything!

So, how would you have responded?

I mean, I am just sick to death of trying to befriend this person. We just don't mesh! I can't feel "safe" sharing with her in an intimate setting... it's impossible! So I really feel that when we DO decide to return to a small group--it will be in a different group. GRRRR

Updates

So, I guess I should update this thing, huh? Lots going on.

Dad is doing great. It's been nearly three weeks since the operation, and he's getting around good. I'll be anxious to hear what the cardiologist and the surgeon say at his check ups in a few weeks. By my untrained eye, he looks to be doing awesome. Stir crazy, but awesome. :-)

Mom is doing fine too. I know she went to get a massage today (much deserved and needed).

Caryn, still waiting for Ken to pop the question. Not that he's stalling... he's just holding out for his parents to come up to meet Caryn. I cannot wait! I am so stinking happy for her. She and Ken met on Match.com. They began emailing each other in January, and met in person (since he was stationed overseas) on Mother's day. I think they will be married by the end of this year or early next year. She said three to six months tops from the time of the actual engagement.

Amanda will start her new job this Thursday. She will be teaching in Jefferson County. Hoping to get an apartment really soon. I know she would be happy to move out of my parent's house. And I'm thinking they would be happy about it too. :-)

Dwight and Shannon and Sarah are doing well as far as I know. They will find out what the baby is on the 17th. Will it be Gunter (Grandpa's pick, only a joke, thank goodness) or Marla Hooch (Dwight and Uncle Jesse's joke name) ??????? Sarah got new pictures done and they are WAY cute and they remind me that I am WAY overdue for pictures of my children!

Megan and Patrick are expecting Haley Jane any day now. She is dilated 2cm.... but not much else going on there. I'm hoping she's gonna get here before Mom goes back to work. And I can't wait to watch her once in a while, and snuggle the little baby!!!!

My little family here is doing well. Spencer had a stomach bug on Sunday, but seems fine now. Back to his wild self. Hannah is still acclamating to Kindergarten. Tired girl in the afternoons. She seems to like all the extras at school, like music, gym, art... but seems really super bored with her regular class. I know it's true, but I have a meeting with her teacher on the curriculum. The main problem is that it's so early in the year, that they haven't really started a curriculum yet..the teacher is still doing very basic stuff to evaluate what each child is able to do. Hannah is already reading 1-3 grade books from the library. So she is most likely very bored...which means she might start being a trouble maker, talking and stuff. Hoping they'll get going on something challenging soon.

Dave is working A LOT. He didn't get home till after 6:00 tonight. He is quite miserable at work. But he's holding out till after our vacation in late September to make any decisions about whether to stay put and stick it out or to pursue a new job. I hope that he can find something that will be more fulfilling to him.

I will have Maddi tomorrow. I have a trunk full of things to take to resale shop tomorrow. I'm hoping to sell a bunch quickly. Also have four bags for goodwill. While Hannah was at school today, I did a major purge of clothes, papers, and toys in her bedroom. When Spencer starts Mom's Day Out in Sept., his room will get it too. I have to control the junk overload!!!

Anyhow, got a ton of work done on the house today. Laundry, kitchen, mopped, dishes, cooked... tomorrow I can stamp!!!!
Need to maintain the clean for the week... hosting a stamp party on Friday night. Gotta work on swaps tomorrow... oh and Dave wants me to make him a "how NOT to be a fat ass" notebook to log his food consumption. He's determined to lose 20 pounds... and I need to do the same!!! Especially if my friend moves her wedding up from June to November!!!!

TTFN

AARRGGHH!

Can I just say that parenting sucks this week? One kid is adjusting to her first week of kindergarten, and has to sit still all day long there, and the other kid is adjusting to his first week without his playmate since she's at kindergarten, and we just drove to and from Indiana this weekend and they are both freaking driving me nuts! All fidgety and fussy and fighting! Ears as deaf to my voice as ever! I hate feeling this way about them, but I know that it's normal. It's like they are looking for ways to hack Dave and I off. Thank God he and I were able to have a date this weekend, otherwise it would feel that much more frustrating.

We were able to go see "Lady in the Water". And we really liked it as well as other M. Night Shamalan movies... (sp?). "The Village" is still my all time fave... guess I'm a sucker for period type pieces.

Anyway, no more grandparents to entertain... Now I have to work again.

All things new.

Today was Hannah's fourth day of Kindergarten. Little miss independant decided she wanted to walk in to school all by her little self...and so she did. What a cool thing, and a sad thing all at the same time. I'm so thrilled with her sense of independance, and yet I already feel so left behind. She's gonna do great! Her teacher just emailed me to say she was well prepared for kindergarten... and that she is a great example to the other students... what mom wouldn't want to hear that!?!

Dad came home from the hospital yesterday. Sounds like he is doing well. He and mom are taking walks down the street and back. That will benefit them both.

I rescheduled my stampin up party. I just email invites last night and already have 7 people coming! I hope it's a good turn out. I'm ready to have some of that yummy spinach and artichoke dip!

So far, So good.

Well, surgery seems to have been a success! Praise God! I'm so relieved. Dad is talking and may have even walked already. He has been out of bed a few times at least. He will be discharged on Monday provided all continues to go as well as it has.

We are taking the kids up to see him in a bit. Dave is on his way home. A friend of his Dad's called and his wife is stuck in downtown St. Louis with very little gas to make it to Oklahoma. A huge storm blew thru both Wednesday and today and knocked power out in several counties. She can't fill her tank cuz all the gas stations are down. So we'll take some to her in a few minutes and then go see Dad will we are over the bridge.

Hannah's first week of Kindergarten has gone great! I'm so happy she is liking it!

Gotta run!

Ok, so I lied AGAIN! :-)

Mom just called and the infection seemed to not really even be an infection, but rather an infiltration, where the IV was never in the vein--only under the skin. His blood cultures came back normal, and no fever or anything, so they are going to do it tomorrow at 8:30 a.m. CST. Anyone who prays, can add Dad to their prayers and it will be much appreciated. Will keep updating. Thank you!

I lied. :-)

Okay. So Dad is making things complicated... just kidding! He developed an infection in the IV, so they had to postpone the operation. Looks to be on Thursday. Nice. On Hannah's first day of Kindergarten. Ah well. Get all the scary things done in one day. Will keep updating. Going to go make dinner before we go meet Hannah's teacher. Toodles!