Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader?

Um....yes. But some of those questions are surprisingly difficult. Wow. So, stay tuned for tomorrow when I blog about my beautiful children, and my fantabulous new job!!

Oh and check out my American Idol blog, if you follow AI....I'd love to have your comments on that one too!!! :)

Going to do some fiction reading now!!

New....

So that I don't take up any space here with Idol ChitChat....

exciting....

I start my new job tomorrow. I’m SO looking forward to it!! Although this week will be boring; no patient care – it’s just Hospital Orientation and Computer Charting Training. Since I did my clinicals there, I’m hoping that maybe I don’t have to be there the whole days on Computer training days…I could use the time to go work out! Since tomorrow is a “back in the saddle again” day for me on the whole working out thing…

I’m going to iron all of my scrubs that I’ll need for this week so that I’ll make a great first impression…after all, you only get once to make that first impression!! I feel like I’m about to fly up to Cloud 9, and I’m ecstatic about the opportunity.

I’m going to schedule my first 3 Excelsior Tests…I need a light to run towards. (As if the NICU position wasn’t enough of a light!!)

zoe...

she's a cutie pie in her little topknot!! And too cool for words in her shades!

and she's a punkrocker, yes she is....when she takes her hair down!

The Look

If you’ve never had a child with an obvious injury, then you probably have never received “The Look.” I certainly never had until Zoe’s black eye. Let me set the scene :

You enter a store with your two kids, one of whom is injured in some way. For giggles, let’s say it’s a young toddler (16 months, will that work?) and she has a black eye. Now, you put the toddler into the seat of the cart, and you scoop up your 3 year old and put them into the basket part. Dangerous? Maybe, but hey…you’ve got stuff to get and you cannot chase a 3 year old all over the store! So, you set off. Lucky for you it’s mid-afternoon in the middle of the week and it’s a school day. There aren’t many people out shopping. Whew. You move on and start your chores.

You’re halfway down the second aisle when it happens. You don’t realize it at first, but yeah there it was…your first “Look.” You chalk it up to a sympathy look, some “aww poor baby, that eye looks awful” look. It’s not until the second perfectly coifed, designer dressed housewife drifts lazily past you, does a double take, and gives you a much more obvious and pointed “Look” than the first lady that you realize, “hey wait a minute…they’re not looking at the baby, they’re looking at me!” And you get indignant. Rightly so? Yeah.

Here’s the look : it’s a “oh my gosh, I cannot believe your baby has a black eye. What is the MATTER with you?” In my head, I respond to them “What, you don’t punch your 16 month old in the face? Gee, thought it was what everyone did.” Good Grief. I mean, COME ON people…..do you honestly think I punched my child in the face?!?! What kind of sick person do you take me for?

Even worse are the “you LET that happen to her?” Looks. No, as a matter of fact I did not. I wasn’t even home when it happened. But guess what…she’s SIXTEEN months old. She’s quick. She’s unsteady on her feet. She’s a little awkward at times. Toddlers fall down, it happens. Get on with your life. Stop sticking your nose into mine.

I took her to the Dr the very afternoon that it happened, praying all the while that she would not develop a full-blown black eye. But, by golly…she’s got a full on shiner! The really good news? Her eye is starting to heal, and the color is less black and purple and it’s starting to turn some shades of yellow and green so I know it’s healing. Thank God.

And remember : the next time you see a little child with an obvious injury, don’t give them “The Look” instead, give their parents the benefit of the doubt!

2 new faces she's making now...FUNNY :)

she looks like grampa, sans teeth....she did this on command for about five minutes today at IHOP!

I'm HUNGRY!! Oh yeah and I'm mimicking my Mommy....

and stay tuned for the next post later this evening....title : "The Look" dum da dum dum DUUUUUMMMMM!

Zoo Trip Today! Check Out Our Snapfish Album!

Zoo Trip 2/22/07

Not for the faint of heart....Poor Zoe :(

On Tuesday, Zoe fell and hit her head. Poor baby. We took her to the Dr and we were told to watch her closely, every hour for the 1st 24 hours I was to do neurological checks. I woke her up during the night to make sure she was easily arousable. She's doing great, and she's smiley and happy and back to somewhat normal now. Who would've thought? Our SON is 3, and has never had a black eye...here is our DAUGHTER at only 16 mos with her first one...rough and tumble Zoe, that's her name!

Home

A Church Home. Is there really anything more comforting for a Christian? Nothing says “belonging” like feeling part of something wonderful, and worshipping alongside other Christians. I suppose the hard part comes when you no longer feel “at home” at your Home. So, what do you do? You go looking for a new Church Home. But you go in a bittersweet way, I think.

How do you leave the Church where you met your spouse? How do you leave the Church where you married your spouse? How do you leave the Church who supported you through the births of your children? But how do you stay? If you do not feel welcome, or part of something greater, or important? How do you stay somewhere you feel doesn’t want you any more?

Ok, so all that aside…when you try a new place, how long do you wait to see if it “fits?”

I was not raised in the Church of Christ, so this whole “stand and greet your neighbors” thing is new to me. But, isn’t the point of it so you might by chance meet a visitor to your Church? Shouldn’t you look around and see who is around you? Very few people turn around if their “Visi-Dar” tells them someone new is behind them. I’ve noticed at EVERY Church I’ve been at, very few people want to greet a visitor. I think it probably has a lot to do with comfort zones, or some such nonsense. My husband is shy. Yeah, really, he is! You wouldn’t guess it by looking at him, but he IS! And he hates meeting new people, so for him to want someone to reach out is a BIG deal. We both want to find a Church Home so desperately that we’re willing to be like Cinderella’s step-sisters in the Grimm Fairy Tales story…cut off a big toe, suffer uncomfortable situations, MAKE it fit. Is that the right thing? Do we just throw ourselves whole-self into a project just because we can? I don’t think that’s really the answer. And I’m NOT saying that’s what we’re doing…I don’t really know what I’m saying. I do not feel well today (if you read my myspace.com blog you already know that) and it’s manifesting itself in odd ways.

So here goes : we found out that we’re no longer members at our old Church. How we found out, well that’s a funny story…I had online members only access and I tried to get online to find an address and couldn’t get on! Then someone called me and said that we weren’t listed in the membership rolls online, when they were looking for my address or phone number or something. Anyway, they got my information from someone else and called to see what was going on. Now, I know the Church lost a lot of members, and a sermon we heard at another Church really hit home to us, it described our old Church to a “T.” But HOW does someone get deleted from the rolls? We never rescinded our membership. We, in fact, were about a hair away from going back because we didn’t feel good anywhere else. I don’t know, and really I’m not looking for an outpouring of support, or overwhelming emails. (You won’t find my email address in the membership rolls online, so unless you know it you can’t email me anyway ;) !) It’s really gone beyond how my mother in law was treated, or anything like that…it’s much deeper now.

We’ve attended a Church for two weeks now, and it’s been an uplifting experience. The Children’s Worship is (OF COURSE) amazing, and we feel so safe with our kids in there. The service has been fabulous, and the preacher is good. I’ll go right out there and say it : he’s NOT as good as Danny, but he’s really good. But is it HOME? We don’t know. Nobody turned around to greet us the last time we were there. But hey, nobody ever turned around to greet us at our old Home either! (Excpet you, MC Lam.) I think it’s just an epidemic of turning the other way, not noticing, and not making anything “your” problem. But really, turning to us, introducing yourself, and saying hey really won’t make us latch on like leeches!! I promise!!

At least I don’t think so….

So yeah, OH YEAH!!

He's got it, y'all!! Daniel wore underwear ALL DAY LONG today...THE SAME PAIR!! We went to Chili's to meet my Mom and step dad for lunch....gone from the house from 10:45 and at the restaraunt until close to 1. NO ACCIDENT!! We pushed our luck and went to Target on the way home to buy more underwear....he peed in the big potty at Target and was so proud of himself!! NO ACCIDENT!! We got home, peed again, and oh my word....NO ACCIDENT!!!

He has succesfully completed a whole day as a pottying expert. He can tell you exactly where he can pee pee ("on the potty") and the various placces he canNOT pee pee ("the floor," "the car," "the chair," etc). The pooping thing? Well he's trying...and thankfully, no pooping accidents either though he did have a pretty bad one this morning when he woke up!

I can't believe this...all of a sudden it's like it clicked, somewhere between his complete and utter refusal to even TRY on Tuesday to going every time I took him yesterday (a total of 18 times with only 2 small accidents) to his triumphant pottying experience today....he's GROWING UP, wow. And now, I can put him in all those great extra curricular things he wants to do AND he can go in the 3 year olds class at School. I suppose the real test will be whether or not he'll remain accident free tomorrow, and tomorrow night at Church if he'll potty for the ladies at Church....

Here's hoping!!

Way to go Captain Underpants!

The Mystic Order of Toileteers

Our stubborn little newly three year old is on his way today to becoming a Toileteer! We started out the day in a really bad way, but we've had 8 successful pottying trips today and we're wearing underwear!! He's doing really well, and now he's watching "Potty Time With Bear" and he's already told Bear "No! I don't want to wear diapers!" I hope this is a break through!! Oh man, I can't believe he's actually doing it!! Lots of tears and screaming at first, and then we had some consternation over washing our hands....he is his mother's son : A Control Freak. So yeah, I guess I'm a wee bit more pig headed than he is....barely. Let's just hope it sticks....


Batman Undies today!!

We're learning that we can take a break even from playing play dough and go potty...in and out in under sixty seconds!! :)


Going to the Zoo tomorrow will NOT derail our potty training!! We'll just take lots of extra clothes and undies....

Two Things....

1) Nah Nah fish died. I'm not entirely sure why, but his death made me very sad. I cried, and Daniel told me it wasn't my fault, but I still cried...the fish was a year old! I mean, bettas don't live much longer than that do they? He was OK on Sunday then yesterday I went to check on him, and he was gone. Perhaps it's simply because I don't like things to die, no matter what they are. That and I didn't know what to say to my 3 year old...so when he asked, I told him Nah Nah was in fishy heaven. He seemed satisfied with that. So now what, do we get a new fish? Or what? Daniel asked for a turtle, like Tuck, but aren't they difficult to care for? I liked the hands-off nature of the fish. I'd actually like to put the fish in his room but I can't do that yet, he's still all about dropping stuff in the tank.... I don't know, and I haven't had the heart to tell my mom yet. She's the one who gave Daniel Nah Nah fish last year for his 2nd birthday...

2) Happy Valentine's Day. I'll post some pictures later. Tomorrow night Michael and I are going to celebrate the heart day at Texas de Brazil...if you've never been there, you should.


Still trying to overcome the trauma associated with something dying...

Daniel's Really Birthday...Please read the other posts down lower too??!!

Non-Sequitor : I don't know, maybe nobody reads this blog, and that's really OK with me...I do it mostly for myself. But just for giggles, if there IS anyone reading, would you mind commenting now and then?? Sometimes I'm just curious if anyone is reading, and if so, who?

Anyway.....

Here are some pics from our family celebration at Daniel's favorite restaurant, Olive Garden.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Look who fell asleep on the way home, from sheer exhaustion :

And who tried to wake him up for me (by shouting Da Da!!) :

"Just In Case You Ever Wonder..."

If you've never read the Max Lucado children's book, Just In Case You Ever Wonder, you should! You should go to the bookstore right now and buy it for your children. I'll warn you ahead of time, you will NOT make it through it when you try to read it. I read it to Daniel tonight and I didn't make it through it. But here is the wonderful child we're raising : he has my fragile and tearful personality. I'm sitting there trying to read and bawling my eyes out. He reaches his little hand out and grabs my hand, states "it's OK Mommy. I love you. We had a good day today." Which, of course, made me cry even harder! He was so sleepy tonight that he pretty much put up no fight when I left his room, though usually he would. Bless his heart...

We're getting *back* on the potty train tomorow...

THREE...part Deux

Well, it’s happened. You look up one day and you’re pregnant. The next thing you know you’ve got a three year old! (Not to mention a 16 month old rolling around on the floor, but this post isn’t about her…) Where did the time go? I honestly don’t know, and I don’t think I can tell you. But I know it whizzed by at roughly 165 MPH. And now, here he is…a little independent “man-child” who can put on his own shoes, but still refuses to go potty on the potty! What a mystery… You know, yesterday was his party and it just felt like such a short time ago I was in labor with him. In many ways, though, it feels like it’s actually been three whole years. Three wonderful years, and I’ll tell you why I love him…but I’ll only give you 3 reasons…

1) Hugs & Kisses – he gives the most amazing hugs and sweet little kisses. And he’ll give them to EVERYONE : me, Dad, Zoe, even a total stranger!! And the best of all? The unsolicited kisses and hugs…the ones where you don’t ask for one, he just offers…indescribable
2) Speaking of strangers – he’s never seen one, never ever ever. And he’s so incredibly friendly to EVERYONE he meets. I love that about him, but it means I have to watch him closely.
3) He’s polite. He says “please” and “thank you” and he’s working so hard on remembering to say “yes ma’am” and “no sir.” He’s awesome.
And of course, he’s cute. He’s got these beautiful blue eyes that only God knows where they came from, and he’s got this dirty blonde hair, which I imagine will probably turn brown somewhere down the road. He’s tall and skinny, but there’s not an awkward bone in his body. He has pudgy little cheeks, sweet little hands that are so soft, and the cutest little feet and ears. He’s a perfect little creation, and I’m so thankful for him. Every day I marvel at how God chose to Bless us with this Angel in human form. Even when he’s grumpy, he’s an angel.

This morning he is very excited about his “really birthday” and going to Olive Garden with is daddy, mommy, and baby sister. Speaking of which, it’s about time to get ourselves ready to go meet Daddy. I’ll post OG pictures later from our family dinner on his “really birthday.”

He sang “You Are My Sunshine” to me this morning, and I cried.

THREE

We did it, folks. Daniel turns 3 tomorrow, and today we had his party. I can't really talk about it right now, so I'll just post some pictures and we'll go from there. Yeah. Ok. And tonight, Michael and I are celebrating that very special day by going to see Rockstar Supernova and The Panic Channel at Nokia Live. Can't WAIT!! Should be an awesome concert. Of course, I'll take my camera AND lots of pictures!! I'll post those later this week. Enjoy the pics from our fun party!!

The boys wouldn't let Zoe in the car, so she practiced her car model pose...ON the car!

The cake and table associated with said cake....

The birthday boy, with his safari jungle animal party table!

Obligatory crowd shots....

yeah yeah...lots of toys and PAPER!!

Zoe finally got to get IN the car! Yay!

Got a really cool train whistle from HoHo and Mamaw!

No, your eyes don't deceive you...that IS Cinderella III...Hey! He asked for it, OK?!?! ;)

I'd almost forgotten....

What life is like as a stay at home Mommy! I missed it!! But you know what, because we know that I MUST work it's comforting and rewarding to know that I've chosen a profession where I can make a difference. Still, though?? I'm enjoying these days off with my children. After all, he turns 3 on Monday...and I know it's going to be a very hard day for me!!

50 lbs lighter....

Ever have a huge weight sitting on top of you? Ever feel like an elephant stomped on your chest? Well I did...for a few weeks. It was called my J-O-B. No, not my new career but my stupid JOB. I quit yesterday. I couldn't take it anymore...I couldn't take the looks, the questions, the all day long pushing a med cart and just being a glorified medication aide! No thank you, it wasn't for me and I knew it from day one. Should've listened to myself that day! But I just couldn't take it anymore. I tried to put in my 2 weeks notice, but I got a huge runaround so I just said you know what? Take this JOB and shove it, I ain't a-workin' a here no more...anyway. So yeah I feel MUCH better now. And I start my career Monday February 26 at a nearby hospital, which is going to R-U-L-E. Yeah boy....it will.

And Michael and I are trying out a new Church this weekend. We have a feeling it might just feel like Home. But my frustrations with Churches right now isn't the subject of this post. Here is that photo I promised of our unexpected snowfall last week!!

the view out our front door as the hugest flakes I've ever seen fell on a rain soaked world. Of course nothing stuck around, but it was beautiful to watch!!

those are snowflakes, not rain

Can't Live Without Them...

These are a few of the items that have made my life easier over the past few days.... (thanks for the ideas, Maggie!)

It honestly does work wonders on ANY surface!! Leaves wood and plastic looking awesome, no streaks on the glass, and it is safe for electronics!! It dusts the TV like a charm!

This stuff smells amazing, like fresh laundry, and it lingers for hours!! It covers and eliminates odors in the air, and on the furniture. I sprayed it on the kids' rugs and their rooms still smell nice!

And the winner is....Clorox Ultimate Care! The ONE item I can no longer live without (in cleaning world). It's designed for the laundry, but 1/3 of a cap and about 6 cups of water and it makes short work of filthy floors. Of course, I'm on my hands and knees because I've yet to find a mop that works as well as I do! I wash the floor and follow with a drying rag immediately. I feel really good about the kiddos being on the floor now, because not only do the floors look pretty they're disinfected too! It doesn't smell traditionally like bleach, but my advice? Wear gloves...it will leave your hands cracked, and smelling like bleach for days!! Can't wait to try it out in the bathrooms this weekend!! YEE HAW!!

I'll post some pictures of our unexpected snowfall from last week later!!

Well, things are rolling along nicely; and gathering no moss I must say!

First things first : Michael's grandmother – she had an internal defibrillator implanted one week ago and is home now. She's doing well, and we're so thankful.

Now onto me : I've been working in a job I do not care for. It's not for me… and I knew that from day one. Just ask Michael, I texted him about 10 minutes into my first day "This is NOT for me!" So I started praying, and praying, and praying that God would show me what He wanted me to do. It was about one week into my job when I got the call I'd been praying for – the Nurse manager at the Hospital where I did my last level of clinicals. They wanted to hire me!! Despite the fact that they are not currently hiring any LVNs, she told me that she kept coming back to my resume, and that she just felt I needed to be there. YIPEE!!! Prayers answered!! So, had I not fallen violently ill today I would have put my official 2 weeks notice in today, dated Friday! So I'll do it Wednesday since I'm still sick and won't be there tomorrow. Yick.

The kids are great. Daniel turns 3 in one week, and we're so behind on his party that I think what we've settled on is going to the Zoo as a family, inviting extended family to join us, and then doing lunch afterwards. Sending invites out tomorrow, anyway. We'll see.

Going to take some medicine and go to bed.