We have the pleasure of watching the boys tomorrow night. Noelle has been asking almost daily to watch them. With my schedule, or lack there of for right now, it's hard at times to pin down a night that works.
As the boys start to get older, I can't help but remember all of the things that Amy has taught my kids. There are so many different things to choose from, I just don't know where to begin. She has taught my kids everything from "pull my finger" to "beans, beans the magical fruit".
I have already started my "pay backs are hell". Over the years, Amy has provided my kids with some loud and annoying toys. At Christmas, I came across an Alphabet Pal by Leap Frog. It teaches the alphabet, colors, letter sounds and as an added bonus, plays 26 different songs.
I have already started looking for their next "special gift". Loud and annoying suggestions welcome.
Friday, July 27, 2007
Thursday, July 26, 2007
You Love Me, You Love Me
When I had Noelle, Sean was in between jobs. For a while he worked here and there to find the job he liked. Some of them were just awful, but everyday he got up and went to these jobs while and I stayed home.
One morning before he left, I wrote a message on the mirror in the bathroom with eyeliner. I did this for quite a while. Somewhere along the way, I stopped.
The other day, I left Sean a note on the mirror that said: "Sean, don't for get I love you". Since I worked Tuesday night, I slept Wednesday. When I got up in the afternoon I saw that Sean had left a note on the mirror for me that said: "Erin, don't forget that you love me".
One morning before he left, I wrote a message on the mirror in the bathroom with eyeliner. I did this for quite a while. Somewhere along the way, I stopped.
The other day, I left Sean a note on the mirror that said: "Sean, don't for get I love you". Since I worked Tuesday night, I slept Wednesday. When I got up in the afternoon I saw that Sean had left a note on the mirror for me that said: "Erin, don't forget that you love me".
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Where The Cars Go
You know that thing called a garage that you are supposed to be able to park your car in? Well, we have a "3 car" one of those. How many cars park in there? Zero, that's right, zero. At one time Sean's Trans Am, otherwise known as "the beast" was in there. Since we are not rich and it looks like gas will not be going down any time soon, he has decided to sell it. Plus, we can use the money for home improvements such as:
- garage doors that work
- a fence that doesn't look like it will blow down if the wind blows just right
- fixing wood rot on the windows
- painting the house anything other than the awful peach it is right now
- moving the laundry room upstairs
- finishing the kitchen
Since we moved in, five years ago, our garage has been a huge source of frustration. Full of "things to sort through later". Well, I guess later is now. I'm sure our trash man pretty much hates us. We have one trash man who yesterday tossed several heavy bags into the "hopper". We probably should pay for him to go to the chiropractor.
The third "stall" is about half full of garage sale stuff. (the thought of pricing all of that "crap" makes my head hurt) What doesn't sell is going to good will. Sean has gone through a ton of things and has organized several shelves and the workbench. The deep freeze has been defrosted and the floor swept. We have less than 1/4, yes mom 1/4, left to sort through and then once we have the new garage doors, we can actually use it.
This fall, hopefully, I will have time to really go through the kids toys and things in the basement and get rid of what isn't needed. After that, it's on to the closets and spare bedroom. I don't even care if it's put in a garage sale or not, I just want it gone.
We WILL be organized~well somewhat.
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Slow Down, You Grow Too Fast
Tonight, Noelle went with the youth group to Worlds Of Fun. We saw in the church bulletin on Sunday that they were going and asked her if she wanted to go. She couldn't wait...I could. How crazy is that? I sent her to Mississippi for a week to help teach bible school, minister to men and women in rehab and help clean up a house hit by a hurricane. I guess sending her to a place with rusty nails and mold and things like that was ok, but an amusement park was just too much.
Every time I work, I drive by this park and think nothing of it. Tonight on my way to work, I looked over at it and thought "I hope she makes good choices, is staying with the group, is not going alone to the bathroom and is not spending all of her money on crap".
Tonight when I called to tell everyone at home good night, Noelle was talking 100 mph. I wasn't able to understand everything she said, but I'm sure tomorrow, she will tell all about it again.
Between Noelle starting middle school, finding out I officially "embarrass" her and letting her go to the amusement park without one of her parents, it has really hit me she is growing up.
Thank heavens we are watching Amy's boys on Saturday night so I can relive what it was like before I blinked.
Every time I work, I drive by this park and think nothing of it. Tonight on my way to work, I looked over at it and thought "I hope she makes good choices, is staying with the group, is not going alone to the bathroom and is not spending all of her money on crap".
Tonight when I called to tell everyone at home good night, Noelle was talking 100 mph. I wasn't able to understand everything she said, but I'm sure tomorrow, she will tell all about it again.
Between Noelle starting middle school, finding out I officially "embarrass" her and letting her go to the amusement park without one of her parents, it has really hit me she is growing up.
Thank heavens we are watching Amy's boys on Saturday night so I can relive what it was like before I blinked.
The Test Is Coming, The Test Is Coming
It's official~I have scheduled my test! The state gave me my "ATT" and is allowing the school to resend my transcripts. When I called them, they told me that they couldn't locate mine or the others that were received that day. Since I tend to freak-out (just a little), I'll just let everyone know when it's over. Just know that I need lots of prayers and positive thoughts sent my way between August 1-11.
I didn't schedule it for a Thursday or Friday because you find if you passed or not 48 hours after your scheduled start time, unless those 48 hours fall on a Saturday or Sunday. The 48 hour wait time is bad enough for me, and those who live with me, to have to go from a Thursday or Friday to Monday is just too long to wait.
Thank heavens for my "new" beautiful and peaceful bedroom.
I didn't schedule it for a Thursday or Friday because you find if you passed or not 48 hours after your scheduled start time, unless those 48 hours fall on a Saturday or Sunday. The 48 hour wait time is bad enough for me, and those who live with me, to have to go from a Thursday or Friday to Monday is just too long to wait.
Thank heavens for my "new" beautiful and peaceful bedroom.
UGH!!! This Test!
Well, as I said not long ago, sometimes your life turns to crap. Before long, it starts to straighten out and things start to get somewhat "normal"...and then you get a "hey, I was just teasing" slap.
I still do not have my test scheduled. I didn't understand that you had to PAY to take the test before the state will let you schedule it. After thinking back, when I was in LPN school we paid for our test DURING the school year, we didn't do that in RN school. Anyway, I paid for the test this week-end. I called the state and they said they didn't have my transcript. After freaking out, I called the school who then called the state. After providing them with the tracking number the state found out that it was signed for and they don't know where it is.
They are now, well, not right this moment, looking for them. I am trying to think positive. I have not been studying like I should. I spent so much time taking practice questions that it seemed like my brain was turning to mush and I was missing questions I shouldn't.
Of the many, MANY frustrating things about this whole situation is that when it comes right down to it, it really doesn't matter how many questions you practice or how much you read to prepare. There is no way to learn everything that could possibly be on the test.
It is what it is and it will be what it will be. One way or another, I will pass the test. If not this time another time. I won't be the first person to pass or fail the test, and I won't be the last.
I'll just be one of the many, who, after climbing the mountain and reaching the top, look back and say "I did all that worrying over something that would have the same end result either way" and then try to find a new mountain to climb.
I still do not have my test scheduled. I didn't understand that you had to PAY to take the test before the state will let you schedule it. After thinking back, when I was in LPN school we paid for our test DURING the school year, we didn't do that in RN school. Anyway, I paid for the test this week-end. I called the state and they said they didn't have my transcript. After freaking out, I called the school who then called the state. After providing them with the tracking number the state found out that it was signed for and they don't know where it is.
They are now, well, not right this moment, looking for them. I am trying to think positive. I have not been studying like I should. I spent so much time taking practice questions that it seemed like my brain was turning to mush and I was missing questions I shouldn't.
Of the many, MANY frustrating things about this whole situation is that when it comes right down to it, it really doesn't matter how many questions you practice or how much you read to prepare. There is no way to learn everything that could possibly be on the test.
It is what it is and it will be what it will be. One way or another, I will pass the test. If not this time another time. I won't be the first person to pass or fail the test, and I won't be the last.
I'll just be one of the many, who, after climbing the mountain and reaching the top, look back and say "I did all that worrying over something that would have the same end result either way" and then try to find a new mountain to climb.
Saturday, July 21, 2007
A Doggie And Her Blankie
Some dogs love toys, some dogs love people...Hydie loves her blankie.
When I got her, she came with a "hello do you see me" bright green and orange blanket. One morning when I was coming home from work, it was freezing! I grabbed a blanket out of the warmer, wrapped myself up and headed home. Later in the day when I got up, Hydie was laying on the blanket. She then proceeded to drag that blanket all over the house. I thought no big deal, she has a new blanket.
If you say, "Hydie, where's your blankie", she will get excited, possibly do a little "bull dance" and go find it and bring it to you. She is now on her second blanket, (maybe third) and loves it just as much today as the day she first found it. Every night, we will put one of them in her kennel with her. The next day, she will drag it down the stairs or up on the bed or on the couch. She wants to play tug of war with it and then, after hearing it rip, will sometimes give it a kiss as if to say "oh, I'm so sorry about that" and then want to play again.
Here are a couple of pictures with Hydie and the "love of her life". I'll have to catch some when she is bringing it down stairs.
When I got her, she came with a "hello do you see me" bright green and orange blanket. One morning when I was coming home from work, it was freezing! I grabbed a blanket out of the warmer, wrapped myself up and headed home. Later in the day when I got up, Hydie was laying on the blanket. She then proceeded to drag that blanket all over the house. I thought no big deal, she has a new blanket.
If you say, "Hydie, where's your blankie", she will get excited, possibly do a little "bull dance" and go find it and bring it to you. She is now on her second blanket, (maybe third) and loves it just as much today as the day she first found it. Every night, we will put one of them in her kennel with her. The next day, she will drag it down the stairs or up on the bed or on the couch. She wants to play tug of war with it and then, after hearing it rip, will sometimes give it a kiss as if to say "oh, I'm so sorry about that" and then want to play again.
Here are a couple of pictures with Hydie and the "love of her life". I'll have to catch some when she is bringing it down stairs.
Friday, July 20, 2007
Fun With A Hose
One things the kids love to do on a hot day is jump on the trampoline with the hose. They call it "Snaky". They start with it laying on the trampoline and then each take a turn attacking "Snaky". I took a couple of pictures of them today.
I happened to catch Michael in the air.
Michael thinks his muscles look "awesome" in these pictures.
She looks so grown up here.
"Noelle, don't kiss me."
Big surprise, I caught Noelle talking.
Are they cute or what?
I happened to catch Michael in the air.
Michael thinks his muscles look "awesome" in these pictures.
She looks so grown up here.
"Noelle, don't kiss me."
Big surprise, I caught Noelle talking.
Are they cute or what?
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
We're #67!!!
Yep, that's right! Our BEAUTIFUL town of Liberty is number 67 out of 100 on Money Magazines "Best Places To Live". Not only is it number 67, but it is the ONLY city in the state of Missouri to make the list. The following were what into the total decision:
"For this year's list we focused on smaller places that offered the best combination of economic opportunity, good schools, safe streets, things to do and a real sense of community."
By the way, "mystery smell" in the kitchen went away. I scrubbed and cleaned and found nothing. I either cleaned it up and didn't realize I did, or it will come back to haunt me at a later date.
"For this year's list we focused on smaller places that offered the best combination of economic opportunity, good schools, safe streets, things to do and a real sense of community."
By the way, "mystery smell" in the kitchen went away. I scrubbed and cleaned and found nothing. I either cleaned it up and didn't realize I did, or it will come back to haunt me at a later date.
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Pens, Pencils, Notebooks~Oh My
Today, we did one of Noelle's FAVORITE things in the whole world...shopping for school supplies. This year, we went pretty early, for us, and actually were able to get all of the things listed. I had my list of what was needed for each one of them and off we were to Wal*Mart.
Thankfully, we started very early with the "there really is no reason to spend $1.99 on a notebook with a puppy that you won't see because you will be writing on the paper inside that looks just like this notebook for $0.10". Knowing that by December, they will be needing more school supplies that we won't be able to find, I bought several of the $0.10 notebooks and $0.30 folders along with this Sterilite bin to store them in. I say every year I am going to do that, and this year, I did. It is part of my quest to become more organized.
Noelle has packed, unpacked and repacked her supplies several times. Michael has put his stuff in the his "art box" holder and his pencil bag.
School supply shopping reminds me of supply shopping with Amy. When I told Amy of Noelle's obsession to have all of her things labeled and put in just the right place Amy said "aaaww, she IS my niece".
Thankfully, we started very early with the "there really is no reason to spend $1.99 on a notebook with a puppy that you won't see because you will be writing on the paper inside that looks just like this notebook for $0.10". Knowing that by December, they will be needing more school supplies that we won't be able to find, I bought several of the $0.10 notebooks and $0.30 folders along with this Sterilite bin to store them in. I say every year I am going to do that, and this year, I did. It is part of my quest to become more organized.
Noelle has packed, unpacked and repacked her supplies several times. Michael has put his stuff in the his "art box" holder and his pencil bag.
School supply shopping reminds me of supply shopping with Amy. When I told Amy of Noelle's obsession to have all of her things labeled and put in just the right place Amy said "aaaww, she IS my niece".
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Radical VBS
This past Friday-Saturday, both kids had vacation bible school. It took a lot to convince Michael to go. If you remember, last year, (actually it will be one year 7-17), Michael had a seizure. He was sure he would have one if he went. We talked about it, prayed about it and when he realized that more than likely, he would NOT have one, (and his sister would be there) he decided to go.
They had a day that included:
They had a day that included:
- The Radical Race where they had to figure out what different bible passages meant.
- Star Search where they had to match constellations
- Had a visit from John The Baptist
- Michael ate a bug
- Swimming
- Noelle jumped into 9' water (and survived)
- Slept on bunk beds
They also saw what Michael calls "the saddest movie ever" which was about Christ giving his life for us. They both said they cried. Saturday night, we were driving home from a friends house and the four of us were talking about this sad movie. As we were talking, Noelle decided that she wanted Christ to be the leader of her life and asked to be rebaptized.
Both kids were baptized as babies, but with this, they are themselves able to say they want Christ to be the leader of their life. I think of it kind of as a different version of confirmation. She has to go through classes and then at one of the Sunday services, she will confirm that is what she wants. Another sign that she is growing up.
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Tuesday Update In A Nut Shell
First things first. Molly is just fine. The area on her neck where they had to remove the growth is much larger than I thought it would be. Hydie and Sadie were so happy to see her. The two of them have just been laying around looking sad. Molly is to keep calm and not get excited for the next two weeks. PLEASE, she is a Cocker Spaniel, all they KNOW is excitement!
Yesterday after Noelle's transitions classes, the kids and I went to the lake with dad. We went fishing, with no success. However, our ability to catch trees, lake weeds and loosing lures continues.
After fishing for a while, we found a secluded beach and went swimming. It was nice to have the area all to ourselves. As I have always said, I really think Michael and I are part fish. That comes from my dad. Noelle has always been a "the waters in my eyes, I have to hold my nose" kind of girl. WELL, yesterday, Noelle really worked on her swimming. She was putting her face in the water and trying to turn it to the side to breath. There was one time when she got water in her nose and mouth and coughed a bit. Normally, she would be just a little dramatic and give up. Not this time. She said "hold on, give me a minute", took a breath and continued on. I was so very proud of her for not giving up. Michael was his usual fishy self, making up a something called the "torpedo".
Now, I'm off to play the "guess the smell and where it's coming from" game in the kitchen. Wish me luck.
Yesterday after Noelle's transitions classes, the kids and I went to the lake with dad. We went fishing, with no success. However, our ability to catch trees, lake weeds and loosing lures continues.
After fishing for a while, we found a secluded beach and went swimming. It was nice to have the area all to ourselves. As I have always said, I really think Michael and I are part fish. That comes from my dad. Noelle has always been a "the waters in my eyes, I have to hold my nose" kind of girl. WELL, yesterday, Noelle really worked on her swimming. She was putting her face in the water and trying to turn it to the side to breath. There was one time when she got water in her nose and mouth and coughed a bit. Normally, she would be just a little dramatic and give up. Not this time. She said "hold on, give me a minute", took a breath and continued on. I was so very proud of her for not giving up. Michael was his usual fishy self, making up a something called the "torpedo".
Now, I'm off to play the "guess the smell and where it's coming from" game in the kitchen. Wish me luck.
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Fun At The Lake
Last Monday, the kids and I went with dad to the lake. We fished, swam and went tubing. My left upper arm is STILL sore from holding on. We are hoping to go today, but it's pretty over cast, so it looks like it will be some other day we go.
Here are some pictures:
Michael is wearing dad's hat.
They did this on their own.
Michael LOVES this hat.
Noelle was getting ready to sneeze.
Here are some pictures:
Michael is wearing dad's hat.
They did this on their own.
Michael LOVES this hat.
Noelle was getting ready to sneeze.
In The Blink Of An Eye
It seems that time has flown by too fast and I want it to slow down, way down. This morning, I dropped Noelle off at the middle school for her "transitions" classes. It is to prepare her for the new school year. She will find out what "team" she is on, get her class schedule and the combination to the locker she is looking forward to decorating.
Well, what happened yesterday led to a kick you in the gut make you cry exchange. I had to take Molly, Noelle's dog, to the vet yesterday. She had a large knot on her neck that grew from about the size of a dime to the size of about a half dollar in a week. I noticed this because there was some drainage. (I will resist explaining what it looked like, but lets just say it even grossed ME out and I've seen a lot of nasty stuff) Anyway, Molly is having surgery today to remove said growth.
Noelle, of course, is upset and was worried about her dog. On the way to drop her off, I told her I was going to come in and get the phone number for the school so they could get her a message saying that Molly was alright.
The following is the conversation we had:
Well, what happened yesterday led to a kick you in the gut make you cry exchange. I had to take Molly, Noelle's dog, to the vet yesterday. She had a large knot on her neck that grew from about the size of a dime to the size of about a half dollar in a week. I noticed this because there was some drainage. (I will resist explaining what it looked like, but lets just say it even grossed ME out and I've seen a lot of nasty stuff) Anyway, Molly is having surgery today to remove said growth.
Noelle, of course, is upset and was worried about her dog. On the way to drop her off, I told her I was going to come in and get the phone number for the school so they could get her a message saying that Molly was alright.
The following is the conversation we had:
- Me: "I'm going to come in and get the phone number of the school."
- Noelle: "Mom, please don't come in."
- Me: "I was going to call and let you know that Molly is ok."
- Noelle: "It's ok mom, please don't come in."
- Me: "Have you officially hit the 'my parents embarrass me' stage?"
- Noelle: "Yeah, kind of."
- Me: Long pause as I try not to break down.
- Noelle: "Mom, are you going to cry?"
- Me: "No, I think I'm ok."
- Noelle: "No offence, but you can just tell me when you pick me up."
HOLY CRAP!!! I pulled into the circle drive to drop her off and she leaned over and said, "I still love you mom, see you after school".
As I watched her walk into the school, I thought of her first day of kindergarten. She had on this cute little pink sear sucker dress, her hair was in two pony tails and she didn't want me to leave. Today, she is wearing a pink and white striped shirt, capri jeans, has her long hair down and couldn't wait to jump out of the car.
Oh, as an added bonus, when she told me about the "no parent in the school" thing, I asked her if that meant I couldn't come and eat lunch with her. She answered yes and said, "you can still eat with Michael".
Monday, July 09, 2007
Beautiful Bedroom
Of course, photos do not show the true color. Some of them are not the best because the camera tries to compensate for the sun shine.
Sunday, July 08, 2007
Taking A Break
Why is it when your life seems to be going well, it suddenly turns to crap? Long story short, I have taken a few weeks off of work to regroup, relax and of course, study for my big final. I still don't have a test date, but I should have it sometime this next week.
For me, relaxing is redecorating. Did I work on the kitchen? No, it still looks like it did about a year ago. Part of the reason is that we are going to move the laundry room upstairs above the third garage and turn the laundry room, which is off the kitchen, into a large walk in pantry. My thought was, why work hard to get the kitchen the way I want to have to redo it when we cut the doorway and change the floor.
What did I work on? The master bedroom. We have lived here five years and other than the kitchen, our bedroom was the only room that has not been redone. When we first moved in, EVERY ROOM was peach! So, for five years our room has been this awful peach color with one of the ugliest boarders I have ever seen with nothing on the walls.
What a difference two days make. While I was up on the ladder scraping off the wallpaper (they actually PAINTED the walls before putting it up) I thought I might as well scrape off part of the ceiling. Our ceiling is not flat, it kind of has two indention's to where the ceiling fan is. I painted the two indention's the same color as the wall.
Our room is now kind of a soft green color called "canopy stripe". Noelle and I picked the same color at the same time. I had brought one of the pillows from the comforter to Lowe's to help select the color and shopped at Michael's, Wal*Mart, Target, Gordman's, and Bed Bath & Beyond.
At Lowe's, I bought two of these, and one of these. They were on clearance, so triple bonus!! At Michael's I found some green candles that match the walls. At Wal*Mart, I found a great clock to go in the bathroom with a face that is just about the same color as the walls. At Target, I got three pewter candle sticks with green candles that fade to different shades. Again, on clearance, as well as a small shelf for the bathroom. At Gordman's I got two pictures with flowers on a soft green back ground and a picture that says, "Cherish Yesterday, Live Today, Dream Tomorrow". These were on clearance as well. Finally, at Bed Bath & Beyond, I found these candles, these towels, and two wall sculpture's. One says "Love" and the other says "Dream".
I'm getting ready to post the pictures. I didn't think to take "before" pictures.
For me, relaxing is redecorating. Did I work on the kitchen? No, it still looks like it did about a year ago. Part of the reason is that we are going to move the laundry room upstairs above the third garage and turn the laundry room, which is off the kitchen, into a large walk in pantry. My thought was, why work hard to get the kitchen the way I want to have to redo it when we cut the doorway and change the floor.
What did I work on? The master bedroom. We have lived here five years and other than the kitchen, our bedroom was the only room that has not been redone. When we first moved in, EVERY ROOM was peach! So, for five years our room has been this awful peach color with one of the ugliest boarders I have ever seen with nothing on the walls.
What a difference two days make. While I was up on the ladder scraping off the wallpaper (they actually PAINTED the walls before putting it up) I thought I might as well scrape off part of the ceiling. Our ceiling is not flat, it kind of has two indention's to where the ceiling fan is. I painted the two indention's the same color as the wall.
Our room is now kind of a soft green color called "canopy stripe". Noelle and I picked the same color at the same time. I had brought one of the pillows from the comforter to Lowe's to help select the color and shopped at Michael's, Wal*Mart, Target, Gordman's, and Bed Bath & Beyond.
At Lowe's, I bought two of these, and one of these. They were on clearance, so triple bonus!! At Michael's I found some green candles that match the walls. At Wal*Mart, I found a great clock to go in the bathroom with a face that is just about the same color as the walls. At Target, I got three pewter candle sticks with green candles that fade to different shades. Again, on clearance, as well as a small shelf for the bathroom. At Gordman's I got two pictures with flowers on a soft green back ground and a picture that says, "Cherish Yesterday, Live Today, Dream Tomorrow". These were on clearance as well. Finally, at Bed Bath & Beyond, I found these candles, these towels, and two wall sculpture's. One says "Love" and the other says "Dream".
I'm getting ready to post the pictures. I didn't think to take "before" pictures.
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