Ladies Bible study

For a few months now I have been attending a ladies bible study, we just finished a 6 week study on Ruth. I have known I needed these ladies to prayerfully pray for me and our provisions, but I haven't had the courage. Here's what's going on-In February we were notified that my social security would stop, and we owe them a whole bunch of money because apparently I was making too much money working (not the whole time I was working just 9 months too much). Which really sucks, because we seemed to be struggling with social security and my income. I wrote a letter stating how I was injured at work in January and would not be be able to pay them back now. I haven't gotten a response back yet. When I was first taken to the hospital after the fall at school the hospital used my private insurance instead of having me fill out a workers comp form. Valley schools which is the school district's insurance provider, still has not paid any bills including the ambulance, hospital, doctors, etc. I can't seem to get them to pay. I filled for short and long term disability and even though I have finally gotten through to my case worker, which was no small feat, my claim is still pending. They say due to my employers not sending them a job description. Deer Valley says it has sent it twice once with the original paperwork they submitted on my behave and then faxed later. 5 1/2 months after the fall I have not had any income. Pat has worked 6 day weeks for a few months now, unless he's off on Sunday then he only work's a 5 day week. (If he works Sunday that's already time and a half, so if he works 6 days that week, he doesn't get paid over-time, but he gets paid for 6 days) Anyway back to the bible study. On Wednesday we were talking about what we learned most or got out of the study of Ruth. I was the last one to comment, I knew I was supposed to. I can see myself as all the main characters. Naomi- bitter and angry at God in the beginning of the story. Ruth not understanding who this God of Naomi's is but trusts him just the same. As I told the group some of my story I started to cry. They prayed for me right then and one of the ladies gave me a lawyer's number she used for an issue she was having with a school district (not mine) and her special needs son, and another woman who offered to pay the fir t$100 to the lawyer. Talk about touching my heart. I haven't been able to contact the lawyer yet, I put the number in my cell phone on Wednesday then had some problems with it so I haven''t been able to call, hopefully I'll be able to call on Monday and if she can't help me know so someone who can. I need my bills paid and it would be really great to get my long term disability paid so I had a little income.

JROTC Awarda

Last night was Joseph's awards ceramony. He recived 4 awards- Daughters of the American Revelotion Award, which was a certificate, ribbon and bar. Top student 100% all year in JROTC which was a plague. 4 cadets from his unit won this award which is rare. His 3rd award was a button for being a TA all year, and the last one a certificate for his 4 years in JROTC. Pictures are on my facebook page.

Back hurting day

I woke up with my back hurting, the kind that hurts because you've been in bed too long. It didn't get better the rest of the day as it swung into the painful spasms kind of pain. Laundry needed done and I lost 2 of my helpers while they were helping their grandpa with yard work so it was just me and Rachel. I have to help her with the machine part and she carries the baskets in and out of the house for me. The older ones I just send out and they bring me the laundry when it's done to fold/hang up to be put away. I usually try to start my bible study lesson while doing laundry on Saturday, but Rachel would not leave me alone. It was good we talked, and hung out, but you know it if I'm not doing my normal routine it makes me feel uneasy. I just need to put those study hours some where into my schedule this week. After the laundry was done I gathered all my Easter decorations for Pat to put in the attic when he got home from hiking. He got home around 4, with the van so then Rachel and I did a few errands. Walgreen's picked up pictures, library, and grocery store. Rachel is not as good as a helper at the store yet as Joseph or Pat, but she'll get better. Other than a few things I didn't put on my list, and milk, and fruits and veggies we should be good for 3-4 weeks. Rachel really wanted fondue for dinner last night, we haven't used the fondue set in a long time. I didn't know we didn't have any gel for the pot heating source. I just cooked everything at the stove instead. It was very tasty and yeah I didn't get sick from the steak! After dinner Rachel and I watched a movie together. It was one long non stop day, and I barely left the house!

Joseph-AIr Force update

Tuesday, I got a call from Joseph's recruiter. He was to report to MEPS yesterday morning at 5:45 AM. I think it was exactly 30 days since he was first there and was told he would hear something in 30 days. Thank goodness Pat had to work at 6 AM I asked him to please get up a little earlier to drop Joseph off. Joseph's knee was looked at and an x-ray done. Knee is cleared. He got done a little after 11, which was perfect, I was still able to go to my bible study before having to pick him up. It was a long drive for me, 1st Street and Washington. I had to park and sign in, to sign him out. Pat had just had to drop him off. Luckily there was a parking spot right in front of the building, I don't expect that to happen every time he needs picked up, but I was thankful for yesterday! He needs to report on the 26th and May 9th. Vision and psych evaluation.

Sarah's knees

Took Sarah to the an orthopedic doctor today, I'm not sure what he said the official problem is, but he did say it's normal for girls her age to have the pain and swelling problems she has been having. He is going to have her do physical therapy and she her back in 2 months. I hope the PT helps her, she's been sitting out of her dance classes for 2 weeks now. And not doing PE in school.I asked about using a brace during exercise and dance, the doctor said we could try if we wanted but it usually causing itching and it gets abandoned. She wanted to try it though, she knows how much her knees hurt. I bought one to start with to see if she likes it. No sense in wasting another $15 if she won't be using them.

Bullies

I hate bullies, I hate that my baby has to go through this at school. I hate that one girl is so "powerful" that she makes all the girls miserable. If you not my friend so and so can't be your friend, etc., etc. This is nothing new, it kinda slacked off for awhile. I hesitate to get the principal involved again. She met with the girls and made them promise to all be friends last time which I don't think really solved the problem. Maybe put a band-aid on it, but band-aids fall off, and you can be left with a scar. I don't want Rachel to be left with a scar. I know the principal just doesn't have time or make the time for students like she should. Oddly enough I got this article from my principal the other day. This is some of it

• Teach them that bullies get their power from our negative emotions. The more upset we get when picked on, the more powerful mean kids feel.
• Show your child how to trick bullies by pretending to be calm. If our children can learn to act calm when bullies hassle them, they become far less attractive targets.
• Teach your child to confuse or bewilder bullies by responding to verbal taunts with replies like, "Thanks for noticing" or "I appreciate the feedback."
• Help your child develop great social skills so that they are liked, accepted, and protected by positive peers. Kids who don't know how to relate in healthy ways often find themselves gravitating toward peers who treat them poorly.

I put on hold at the library "Words Will Never Hurt Me", by Sally Ogden the book goes into more details. I just love the 3rd point. I want to go up to the girl and say those things to her! But I think it best I teach Rachel those things.

Happy April Fool's Day!

Popcorn!

Spaghetti and Meatballs

Giveaway

http://azurestandard.blogspot.com/2011/03/giveaways-dont-get-any-sweeter-than.html#comment-form Wholesome Sweeter. I hope I win. Should be good for diabetics.

Happy Birthday 1st born!

18 years ago my life changed forever. I became a Mother. Now, I'm about to embark on a whole new chapter, being a mother to an adult child. 18 is just a number you will always be my baby boy. While for a few months until graduation you will be still under live under our roof not much will change. Your hearts desire is to join the Air Force, soon after graduation that might find you in boot camp starting your adult life. I am proud of you decision to defend our country, but I will always be your Mom and will worry about you were ever you are led. You are a blessing from God! Happy 18th Birthday!

Proud

3rd quarter grades. Of course I've known what the kids' grades were thanks to the school districts online grading program. S struggled a little this past quarter. She was not on her meds the entire quarter. She pulled up all her grades at the end and made honor roll. R had a great quarter and her teacher only had wonderful things to say about her yesterday at her parent/teacher conference. Her writing especially has really improved. Which I had noticed myself, she's came a long way from her writing from a year ago. J who doesn't get a report card at the end of quarter only at the end of each semester has straight A's right now! I'm a proud Mommy x 3!

Beef

Almost 2 years ago I got sick from a roast beef I had made in the crock pot. I haven't been able to eat any beef except ground for 2 years. (steaks, beef ribs, etc.) No one else got sick from it. I bought a roast last week at the store because it was really cheap, I thought I'd try eating it. Yesterday afternoon I put it in the oven. No way was I going to cook it the same way or smell it all day cooking. I had to gag it down to show the kids it wasn't so bad, the whole time though I thought I was going to throw up. Thank goodness for the puppy who helped me finish. I don't feel so great today, and actually threw up the water I drank this morning with my meds. I haven't eaten anything, I don't really feel like eating and I'm scared. It will be a long while before I eat beef again.

Spring Break-relaxing!

Monday afternoon to J to his recurter for hie health evaluation Tuesday. More on that later. The girls had dance, then S spent the night at her BFF's house. Tuesday R an I had the house to ourselves. We went crazy!!!!! Reading!!!!! Sarah comes home to get ready for dance and spent the night again at her BFF's friends house. Wednesday I went to my woman's bible study group, them did a few errands, picked R up so I could help her pick out $100 worth of shorts for the summer she only have a few pair that fit correctly. Thursday I spend the day scapbooking the girls watched National Treasure over and over again. Then S went to her 3rd dance class of the week. Normally she would have had her tap class on Tuesday, but she's going to be dancing with the preforming group class that meets on Thursday's. Once again S was at her friend's house today and she got her ears pierced. She'll be home soon. It really seems like she hasn't been home much at all. Today the other 2 children had to help me with laundry and grocery shopping. I'm falling asleep as I am typing this. And I too a good 30 minute nap today, what's the deal?

Baptism

S has said for awhile now she was ready for baptism. I have really seen growth in her this past year, and told her next time there's baptism and P is off you can be baptized. P had to close yesterday and Desert Breeze had a celebration Sunday including baptisms. S looks pretty radiant if you ask me? But I am a proud Mama. At our church we do baptisms differently than most. As babies parents dedicate them to the Lord, like Hannah dedicated Samuel in the bible. Anytime after that when the child/adult accepts Christ as their Savior they can be baptized, full water emerging completely in water just like Jesus was.

busiest week I've had in awhile

Sunday, P took me and the kids and the puppy to a park for the afternoon. The weather was lovely to sit and watch them all play. Monday I did have my blood work done, then P took me out for breakfast. In the evening he took me to my book club. I had read the book and recommended it, but it's been a long while since I read it, so I didn't talk much, but I got out of the house and got to be with 3 dear older women. Tuesday P took me to Sunset Ridge and I got to visit with my favorite classroom ever. I read a few stories, answered questions and helped with a writing assignment. It was so fun! P helped out a little too. Wednesday morning I went to the ladies bible study at our church office. I think I'm going to start going every week, while I'm not working. The are just finishing up a teaching of Ester, and will start Ruth in 3 weeks. Thursday I didn't do anything/go anywhere. P who was on vacation actually worked an 8 hour shift. Friday P took me back to the doctor's. My cholesterol is very high, and she put me on a medication for that. My blood sugar is borderline high, she gave me a meter to track my glucose levels and scheduled an appointment with the nurse practitioner to go over a diet plan. My labs from a few weeks ago I was low on vitiiam D, and my thyroid, but they were fine this time. I'll have to have the blood work repeated in 3 months. This morning P took us to a St. Patrick's Day parade. It was fun doing something all together as a family, after the parade we went out for lunch and to the library. Tomorrow at church we are having a church celebration and baptism. S is going to be baptized. She is really excited.

Blood Work tomorrow

Since I'm not having surgery, I scheduled my fasting blood work for tomorrow (the follow up from a few weeks ago). P is on vacation this week, it seemed like a good day to get it over with and then I can probably get into see the doctor before the end of the week for the results and he can drive me around.

Back Update

P and I spent the day on Thursday at The Laser Spine Institute on Thursday. I had a physical and a lot of testing, including, blood work, a pregnancy test (just to make sure I wasn't, even though I told them I wasn't), back x-rays, EKG, chest x-rays, etc. Met with the surgeon who said that surgery would not help my back pain at this time, but I could come back in 6 months for a consultation. I was very frustrated to hear this. I so wanted to have surgery, because then I thought I would be better sooner. 6-8 months healing is a long time. I'd like freedom from pain with out having to take high doses of pain pills. I'm not 100 pain free on them, but it's mostly tolerable on them, unless there's standing or walking involved. Sleeping is OK, unless I have to move in bed. Sitting is OK, but with a pillow behind my back, and then I have to move around often so I'm not sitting on my tail bone. I can't drive on the pain meds. I'm going a little stir crazy at home, not being able to just jump in the car and go. I think I'm going to have to not take the pills so I can leave the house by myself sometime.

Military Ball King

With Becca his date for the evening, and with Han the Queen from Deer Valley High School.

Field Trip and Surgery

Today was R's field trip to the Halle Heart Center. I love this field trip the center is like the science center but only for the heart. I've been there 3 or 4 times and I was originally going to go with R, but because of my back I couldn't go. R still hasn't because the bus on the way to the center was involved a minor car accident. Everyone was fine, but they didn't make it to the Heart Center. My best friend was on the bus she sent me a text right away when it happened. Thank you God the kids were all OK. The school called all the families after they moved to a new bus and were on their way back to school. They will reschedule the field trip. In other news I was scheduled for my back surgery today! It will be on March 7th! Please pray that I'll do OK during the surgery and it will really heal my back.

Blood work

I had blood work done last week as part of my clearance for surgery. While she cleared me I need to follow up on my blood work. My cholesterol is high and my blood sugar. And I think something else but the nurse rattled it all off so fast I didn't have time to process it all. I do know she said the doctor thinks I should be on medication for the cholesterol and I am diabetic but we can wait until after surgery to follow up on the labs. Great just what I need more things wrong with me :(

Sickness and AAA and thank you notes

R has been sick with allergies which has felt forever. She's been using her inhaler, taken Clartin and she's still not getting better. She's missed school all week. Yesterday she didn't have a fever so she's trying to go to school today. Tomorrow is her filed trip to the heart center I don't want her to miss it. Please let her be well. In the medical world AAA stands for Ascending Aortic Aneurysm. For some reason the laser spine institute thinks I have an abdominal aortic aneurysm. I'm trying to get my heart doctor's nurse to work this out with them, I talked with her all day yesterday trying to get it straightened. While I'm glad the spine institute is being so through I really wish they would believe me already! Last night I was helping R with her thank you notes from her party. I know the party was a few weeks ago and usually I get out or make the kids get out thank you notes right away. But I wanted to use a group picture from the party and had to get them printed. As I was muttering to myself about not getting them out sooner, I realized again not many of her friends brought gifts. Is that the new norm? I would be embarrassed sending my child to a birthday party with out a gift. And this party was for 2 girls, and R got more gifts than the other girl, which I felt bad about too. What's the deal you just send off you child to a party and some of the parents didn't know us, and let us drive your child 45 minutes to the party location and then of course 45 minutes back to our house with out meeting them or sending a gift or card? One boy didn't show up in time so we picked him up and he's older brother came too? What??? I wouldn't do that if the party was even at so someones house but this party was going to cost us $16 per child, I think the parents owe us a thank you and not us thanks for coming to my party notes. Of course these boys had no gift for either girl. $5 or a homemade card would have been better than nothing. Maybe I'm just wrong, and gifts aren't really about attending a classmate's birthday party. But weren't they embarrassed when the girls opened the gifts they had? I would have been very uncomfortable even as a 10 or 11 year old.

Valentine's Day

We celebrated as a family on Sunday. R who hasn't felt good since Friday and I stayed home from church. I made 2 lobster tails, shrimp scampi and asparagus. For our lunch desert we had strawberries covered in chocolate. Yum. P took S to the Suns/Star Wars game. R and I watched a movie together. One day this weekend I broke part of my bridge eating a conversation heart, so this morning P and I are going out for Valentine's Day breakfast and he's going to take me to the dentist before he goes to work. Sounds like love...

Happy Birthday to my Baby Girl!

R is 11 today. I can't believe it, doesn't seem all that long ago I went to the hospital late on a Friday night to have her. She was supposed to be delivered on the 10th and everything was set up then for her birth. But she decided she couldn't wait that long to be held. My doctor went away for the weekend, so another doctor delivered her. It was pretty scary. P was not allowed into the operating room. You were born so fast, I remember I just wanted to sleep afterwards, but the doctor's kept yelling at me to wake up. The nursed were yelling ask about the baby, I remember asking a few questions like how much did she weigh, length. But really I wanted to sleep. I remember a lot of activity in the room. I really didn't know then what was going on. I remember hearing her lungs are solid white, but I didn't know if this was good or bad, and if it was me or the baby. They wheeled me to the ICU and I remember the doctor's all standing at the end of my bed talking and watching me. I do not remember much more from that day, other than my Father-on-Law coming to see me and he had on a long sleeve red shirt. He wasn't the only one to see me, but the only thing I remember. After we had the film developed after R was born I was shocked to see me holding the baby and feeding her, and I don't remember it at all. P said when they first brought R to be the first I did was uncover her and I counted all her fingers and toes. The first few days after she was born I didn't get to spend very much time wit with her. After they moved me to the telemetry floor I spent lots more time with her, and one time after not having her for a long time, P helped me walk to the nursery and we took her. She was a very good eater and would down a 2 oz bottle in minutes. We tried nursing, but we both ended up crying. I had just decided to stop trying when I went to see mt heart doctor as a follow up few days after leaving the hospital and he put me on a beta blocker that could harm the baby if I nursed, I'm so glad I had just reached a point of wanting to stop trying before that appointment. But it was all so very upsetting because I really wanted to nurse my last baby. Anyway that was 11 years ago, unbelievable. I love you, R happy Birthday!

Party # 2

Amazing Jakes birthday for R and her friend. 10- 5th graders 2- 8th graders 1- 12th grader 3 adults played and rode rides (and I ate and sat around and watched). Fun was had by all. I was a little bored at first, I had taken a book to read but I grabbed the wrong one, I grabbed the one I had just finished and not the one I wanted to start. And I didn't charge my cell phone and the batteries were dying, poor me. It got better sitting around, I did try to play some games but my back was really hurting so that didn't last long. It took a long time to get the kids loaded up and back in the cars for the ride home. They were having so much fun they didn't want to leave. It wasn't crowded at all so they were able to everything more than once. I hope it's a birthday R will always remember.

14 years ago!

Happy Birthday S!!!!! I love you!

First Birthday party of the season! LOL!

S had a few friends over last night. J dropped 5 girls off at the movies, then picked them up. They had pizza and they had cake 2 girls left and the other 2 spent the night. They pretty much played the Wii all night, well until 2 AM when they finally fell asleep. I have to say that a 14 year old birthday party is not as much work as a younger child's birthday. By 14 they don't really need me any more to keep the party going, or come up with things to do, they just do it. Wednesday R will celebrate her birthday at Amazing Jakes. One of her good friend's birthday is also next week and they are combining their birthdays, they are both really excited about it. There's no school on Wednesday so I hope it all works out. R was invited to 2 birthday parties today, she had to pick one to go too. This must have been a good time of year for babies to be born!

Girls and their birthday parties

Both girls have their birthdays coming up. They both want fabulous parties instead of presents. S wants to go to Castles and Coasters with some friends, and they want to go by themselves. I'm not ready for that. It's a big place and she's only gonna be 14. I suggested going to a movie and having a sleepover. I'm not sure I convinced her of that. R wants to go to Amazing Jakes with some friends. There is no school on Feb. 2nd which would be a great day to have the party during the day/during the week it's much cheaper. I'm worried about the fact it's a long drive to get there, and will parents really drive that far to drop off their kids? If they stay we would have to pay for them to hang out, play, and eat? We could take some kids in our car, and do I go not to be able to have any fun and how painful it would be walking around there? So, do I let P be in charge of the party? We've never done that before. He sometimes isn't even home when the kids have their parties. I just feel awful about not going, but if I stay home then one more friend could ride in the car. I want them to be happy, but I want them safe and darn it I really don't want to miss their birthdays.

2 weeks

2 weeks ago today is when I fell. Seems like I've been living like this forever. Yet it's only been 2 weeks. The pain medicine MS Cotin is helping a lot. I haven't had bad spasms since Saturday night. But the medicine makes me tired. I just started walking short distances (in the house) with out the walker. I had J pull out my scrapbooking stuffyesterday so I have something to do. Today I organized pictures and did a few pages. Nothing fabulous but cute pages. Was able to sit for a few hours. Yesterday I began contacting the Lazer Spine Institute, today P faxed them a large packet of information. Hopefully they will hear back from Worker Comp, fast and I can get in for an evaluation right away. If they can fix my back like their website claims I could be pain free 5 days after treatment. Is this to good to be true? I hope not, and I'm praying they get in me soon. I also need to contact a surgeon that my neurologist recommended. They want copies of my latest MRI films, which P picked up on Friday, their office in by St. Joe's hospital and they want to films before scheduling an appointment. P will have to take them the films when he's off on Thursday. It's very hard not being able to do much of anything. I feel like a lump of coal.

Still in tons of pain

Not a whole lot of relief, I am on a much stronger pain med. now and I have 2 referrals to see 2 surgeons about maybe some surgery that will help, I'll start calling on Monday. I had to have the MRI films to schedule the appointments. I did get out of the house today, J had some pictures taken for his graduation announcements. Since we've been home from the hospital I've haven't been able sitting at the kitchen table for long. Today I have sat here for over an hour. I'm just starting to feel uncomfortable. Tonight we are going out for dinner with P's family to celebrate my sister-in-laws birthday, I hope I do as well or better at dinner.

Rough Night

Since I've been home I've really only have had one good night of sleep. Last night was the worst. I slept for 1 1/2 hours then woke up, my back started having horrible spasms. Took some pain meds. They got worse. Played on my laptop for hours. Had some ice cream at 4, when I could finally take more pain meds. I slept on the couch from 4:30 to 6:15. I see a long nap in my future today. I have a doctor's appointment at 9:30 hopefully he can get me better pain relief. I have to add that I am so in love with R's puppy. She's been watching over me, and snuggling when I'm alone during the day. She really is the cutest little one.

I've fallen and can't get up

Tuesday I was on the playground with the 1st graders. I went to walk behind the swing when I tripped on a boy's leg. I knew right away I was in some serious pain. 911 was called and I was transported to the hospital. X-rays and CT scan showed a compressed fracture in the L1 spot of my vertebrae. Wednesday I had a MRI to see if there was any other damage. Yesterday I had the fracture fussed with cement, that was one very painful procedure. Hammering on my back to drill holes to squirt the cement in. Today I walked with a walker to the nurses station and back to my room. I am sitting up right now as I type on my laptop. First time I've been able to sit up. It's not pain free but not as bad as I would have imagined. It's going to be a long road of physical therapy.

Happy New Year!

This is how we celebrated this year...Games!Loving the puppy! Horns! Necklaces! Sparklers! Silly String! Toasting! We had a fun night!

Year Ending

The last few days we didn't do much. I did get my stitches out on Tuesday, which took about an hour and 2 doctors to get out. I then did a little shopping, and almost lost the car. I was scared, cold and alone in a very large parking lot. I finally found it, thank goodness! Wednesday it started raining and the temperature really dropped. Sarah went to a friend's house in Mesa on Tuesday, J and I picked them up and they spent the night out our house on Wednesday. I also went with a few friends for girls night out for a few hours. Yesterday it was cold enough to snow a little bit in Phoenix! Today we were going to go to the zoo, but it was too cold. We started taking down the Christmas decorations. What a mess mt house is now! P went out and got us some dinner, and soon we'll start playing some family games before we ring in the New Year.

Christmas

Very busy, very fun last few days. On Christmas Eve we attended church at 5:30 and my in-laws met us there. R and all of kids church sang beautifully. After church we came back here and had a little snack of little smokies wrapped in quartered biscuits and soft pretzels with cheese. Pretty tasty. R read us the Night Before Christmas and we opened one gift before going to bed. Christmas morning I had to wake everyone at 8:30, once we read "our" Christmas book (the story of Christmas)we opened gifts. S was very happy with the Just Dance 2 game for the Wii, and R was very happy with her keyboard. J of course loved all his Steelers stuff! We then headed over to Aunt Jul and Uncle Will's to exchange gifts and brunch. My nephew called from his Navy station and we all got to wish him a Merry Christmas. Very cool. We left about noon to come home to get the house ready to host P's family for Christmas dinner. P wanted spaghetti so that's what we had. Opening gifts took awhile since there were 14 of us, with numerous gifts each. After dinner the kids tried out the keyboard and the Wii game. Very fun! Sunday we picked P's Aunt up who was visiting from California for church and lunch out. P had to go to work, but the rest of us got to enjoy watching Alice in Wonderland with his Aunt and parents. Followed by the rest of our families coming over for game night. Very fun, but long day! Yesterday we spent the day with P's family at Amazing Jakes it was very fun. They all left about 4, but we stayed on for 3 more hours, playing more bowling, riding rides and playing games, before eating dinner before we left. It was a great family outing. When we got home we started to watch a movie, I didn't last long and was falling asleep on the couch, I was the first one to bed and then the first one up at almost 11 AM. The saddest part of yesterday was because we were gone so long I think Baby thought we would never come home, she was very, very happy when we let her in.

Merry Christmas!

Baby!

It's Saturday and I have 2 weeks off

The girls danced beautifully last weekend. I was sorry to see the weekend end, it went by so fast. This week was another busy week. And big change for our household. A puppy! Baby is 7 or 8 months old and just adorable. R brought her home the Thursday of her band concert. P finally agreed to let us keep her on Sunday. She was a stray or abandoned. Her right front leg is injured, and the vet doesn't think we should do anything about it, since she is getting around OK and it's not hurting her. We'll get her license after she gains some weight she only weighs 4 pounds now and we have her spade. Tuesday night S had her 8th grade chorus concert. Wednesday she had bible study and J needed to buy some secret Santa gifts, we went to Fry's and I did the grocery shopping while he was picking out his gifts and S was at bible study. Thursday night R had her "Pirates" play with her school's drama club. She was very good and it was a very cute play. Yesterday at work when I was walking a student out to meet his mom I fell and cut open my knee. I had to get 8 stitches to close it up. What a way to end the last day of work for 2010. NOT!!!

Busy Week followed by Snow Queen weekend

Something every night this past week. Including last night which was R's first band concert. She did very well. This afternoon they had a dress rehearsal for The Snow Queen performances this weekend. Both girls are excited about preforming! I'm tired already! But I love watching my girls and their cousins dance.

Sickness and decorating

Yesterday I woke up with horrible pain and pressure all over my face. Called and made a doctor's appointment driving to work. Worked for 45 minutes. Sinus infection. Antibiotics, stay home for at least 2 days. Managed to buy some groceries with waiting for my prescription, no list just winged it. I was planning on going back to work not shopping. Took a long afternoon nap. Started decorating for Christmas. The tree still needs to be set up, and decorated and the table for the village needs to be brought in, and then set up. I felt terrible last night I'm sure I over did it. J and R helped me. But still probably not the best thing to do. But I couldn't stand all the boxes all over the living room. The tree and ornaments are currently covering the couches in the living room. I still have lots of pressure in my head today, I won't be doing anything today. P was off yesterday and he got all the lights and things outside decorated, so the outside looks really good. I can't wait until the kids get home from school one will be sweeping the messy kitchen/family room floor and another will be vacuuming. I think I need to take a nap. I did decorate my blog and the back ground for my computer, with out much energy taken LOL.

Thanksgiving Day 2

I let the kids sleep in, while I whittled away on preparing our feast. I had to get J up to help me with the turkey, it was way to heavy for me. After everything was made, and the turkey in the oven the girls and I went shopping. I am no black Friday shopper, Blockbuster, Walgreens, Target, Michaels, and Dollar Tree weren't so bad, and I got a few deals. I think I am done with shopping, other than a movie that won't be out for a few weeks. After shopping the girls watch Eloise at Christmas, after dinner R and I tried to watch Miracle on 34th Street but I couldn't stay awake. We had a lovely dinner, then S went to spent the night at a friend's house. Other than I've been struggling with a bloody nose for days, the last few days have been wonderful.

Thanksgiving Day One

Watched the parade with the kids. S made us cinnamon rolls for breakfast. The kids played Wii nicely together. S ate her first piece of pumpkin pie. We all went to see Tangled in 3D. It was a very cute family movie (and I didn't fall asleep, which is how I rate if the movie is good, LOL) We came home and got ready to go out to dinner with P's mom, and his sister and her family. It was an enjoyable evening. It was awkward at first because we haven't seen P's sister in 16 years or so. We had never met her husband, who is very nice. Her son is very polite young man. Today P is working till 4:30, and we'll be having our own Thanksgiving meal, just the 5 of us.

Happy Thanksgving!!!!

I've been debating if I should do a sappy I'm thankful for list as I sit here watching the parade with my children. And I'm thinking that sentence is what I am most thankful for.

The week in review

Monday I went to work late, first to see my heart doctor, then an interview at R's school. I didn't think I would get the job, but I had to try. Got to Sunset Ridge and got a phone call from Sunrise that R was sick, took me forever to get a hold of P to go pick her up, jeez I had just left Sunrise. Came home from work called my brother to wish him a happy birthday, made dinner, dropped S off at her dance class. Went to my book club. It was just me and the hostess, but we had a fun discussion of the book and lives. Tuesday morning R decides she couldn't go to school, so I got to stay home and snuggle with her all day. J didn't have scouts so I got to watch S's jazz class it's been several weeks. Wednesday I worked a whole day. S had bible study, I dropped her off and P picked her up. Thursday after work I saw my neurologist who wants to try another drug for my back spasms. I called P on the way to the doctor's and told him how to start dinner, he had it almost all together when I got home, which was so wonderful I didn't have to cook! Yesterday the kids had an early release day. Most of the paras went out to lunch together. One of the dearest ones bought my lunch for me. I'd like her to adopt me, she's such the sweetest lady. And she's old enough to be my mother. After lunch we went on walk troughs of different classrooms, then had a team meeting. We went really long and I didn't clock out till almost 4. I went to my favorite teachers room and read waiting for Marcella to bring our girls to the Fall Festival, which started at 5, I'm glad Marcella thought of the awesome plan. The girls had a fun time and I got to show off Sunset Ridge and my favorite student. Slept in this morning till 9, and haven't even started laundry yet, but I guess I must soon, cause it's not gonna get done otherwise.

good news

Saw my heart doctor this morning, that horrible stress test came back normal! The irregular heartbeat is normal for a heart valve. And he'll see me in 6 months. I am so relived.

Mumbled Mess of a post

I didn't think it ever would be Saturday again. Kidding. Sort of. The week just seemed long because there weren't any days off, or earlier releases and I worked a few hours longer this week. So glad we have Thursday off this week, anyone want to go to a parade? It will be J's last Veteren's Day parade with his JROTC unit, P will be at work. So, the vicadon the doctor put me on really makes me tired. Driving to work is especially scary. I called him and asked for something else which I tried for 24 painful hours. At work I had to work with a different student for a few days, the general education teacher I work with asked if that could please stop, she needs me (there was a sub in the room for me on those days). I love working with this teacher, we have similar teaching styles, and she appreciates me. It is such a wonderful compliment that when she didn't get results from the special ed team she went to the principal to fight for me :) The mapping of our special services team is being redone and we are adding a 6th para professional to the team. I am hoping mine doesn't get all messed up. I like my day just fine as it is. I finally put out some Fall decorations today. I really didn't feel like decorating for Fall until it got cooler than 90. The forecast looks promising this week. R got up this morning to help me get the Bountiful basket, she actually offered so I treated her to McDonald's for breakfast, and fake nails at Walgreen's. She did my nails too, I lost 2 of them with out even knowing, I ripped the others off before I lost any more. J went to a chicken BBQ with his scout troop, and S to my oldest nieces Fall Festival. My friend texted me during the day on Thursday to tell me there was an on-campus reassignment posted for a part-time EL para at Sunrise. I called and left a message for the principal, only someone from Sunrise applied so they got the job, before it went out to district. I was having lots of mixed up emotions about it, therefore I just prayed and gave it to God. I really love Sunset Ridge, I hate driving there, but love the campus and staff. Love that gen ed teacher and our 1st grade class. I hate working so many hours, but we really need the income. I would love to be back at Sunrise for R, who thought it was going to be so great me not being there, only for her to realize she misses me being there. I had the worst sinus headache yesterday, lasted all day, and because of the vicadan I can't even take regular Tylenol any more. OK, that's all I can think of right now.

Stress Test

On Wednesday I took the day off for the nuclear stress test. It was horrible, I made P promise me that I would never have to do that again. Like if I'll ever forget it. First they started an IV but of course didn't get the first vein and he couldn't find a big enough one in my arms, therefore started it in my hand. Hurt something awful. Then there was a medicine that went into the IV, then some waiting, and I had my echo done. Then I had to lie perfectly still for 20 minutes for the "pictures" the machine seemed like a cross between and MRI and CT, only it was completely quite. Wait some more, then the treadmill part. My resting heart rate was 60, my O2 level 99. I was suppose to walk until my heart rate was 150, then continue walking for 1 more minute. After 2 and a half minutes and my heart rate was 90 the gal running the test asked me how I was feeling. Dizzy, she asked if I wanted to stop and I said yes without any hesitation. I then had to have medication to raise up my heart rate with out exercise, I was asked if I wanted to sit up or lie down. I thought I better lie down what if I got dizzy again. The medication was to work for 4 minutes then the 1 minute of the second medication. It was horrible, I couldn't breath. I thought I was dying. I really thought some oxygen would feel good. I had to close my eyes to focus on breathing. It took a long time for my O2 level to come back up. So scary. After that horror, I had anther period of waiting then "pictures" again. It took almost exactly 4 hours. I see the doctor on the 15th, for the results.

Arthritis in my back

Finally made it to the nuerogist yesterday after work. The muscle spasms I have been having is do to arthritis. I never heard of such a thing. I could try physcial theraphy, but he didn't recomend it. PT sometimes can cause more damage than good. I could try a chiropractor, but again it may cause more damage than help me, plus it's not covered well by our insurance so I won't try this. Another option is epidural shots, which he is nervous about because I'd have to be off my coumidin, which isn't so great of an option. Right now were going to do Vicidin for pain. If I don't like that, we'll try other pain meds. He doesn't even care if I become atticted because really I need something for pain, that's not going to just go away on it's own.

solved

One mystery is solved. I thought my back doctor's appoint was on Friday at 4 PM, when I got there the office was closed, lights off door locked. Bummer I had even remembered the films from my MRI. Of course I tried calling, but no answer go figure! They were closed. Today in church when I was digging in my purse for a pen, I found the slip of paper that had my appointment time on it. I was really supposed to have gone on Thursday at 4, not Friday. Not sure why I didn't get a reminder call, or a you missed your appointment call. Hopefully I can get in this week at 4 any day but Wednesday would work, since I have my stress test and echo followed by R's parent/teacher conference at 4:30. I guess if I have to I can try to go in between things. I'm really stressed about the stress test. I don't think that's a good sign.

things are better

P and I are talking again. R is the one who made us. She kept asking me for days to say "I'm sorry" It was killing me. I started the conversation with P that R wants me to say I'm sorry. We aired out a lot of things and for a few days now things have been pleasant. We need a budget and a plan to stick with it. I spent some time looking on our online banking yesterday and it's not I who has been spending needlessly. I'm glad this work week is over. 2 early release days and wild 1st grade kiddos and a sub in the classroom (for the past 2 weeks) I'm in for most of the day = not much fun for me. The regular teacher will be back on Monday, her grandmother died and she had to fly to Guam. Thursday after the students were dismissed we had meetings all afternoon. Then because I had a horrible sinus headache I left at 3:30, so I had to stay on Friday till 3:30. Friday afternoon I did some coping for teachers but that's about it. It was pretty boring. yesterday afternoon R spent at a friend's house, her mom dropped her off and we talked for a long time, then went outside and while we were talking ants were biting at my feet and ankles I finally had to excuse myself and go inside they were driving me crazy. I soaked them in the bathtub to no relief when J said try to soak them in tea, so I added tea to the water, that didn't really help, but then one of the bags broke and I rubbed the loose tea on my feet and ankles and what a difference! I got out grabbed some extra thick socks, reapplied the loose tea and was able to sleep last night. I think that's the worst I've ever been bitten by ants. I thought ants go in after dark?

Angry and Frustrated

P got home Thursday afternoon from the annual father and sons Grand Canyon hike. I tried being really extra nice to him, put he didn't even seem to notice and shut me down. Whatever. Friday morning I mention to him to pick up some milk when he went in to get his schedule. I called and had to remind him. Really he's a grown man, shouldn't he have at least noticed when he poured his milk on his cereal we need milk, even if he forgot the conversation with me? He said "oh, yeah I guess the milk is almost gone" But he probably had just gotten up, it was only 1:15 PM when I called. When I got home from work and picking J up, he says he forgot about the APS bill and we bounced the payment $35 extra cost. Great. He said he would take J back to school for his JROTC fun night, only when it was time to leave he was screwing together his bookshelf that I guess was coming apart. So I ended up taking J. You think he could have made sure the girls we changing clothes, brushing out their hair so we would be ready on time, for our niece's high school football game oh no. Luckily it wasn't very crowded and we didn't stand in a long line to get tickets, therefore we made it for the National Anthem. Climbing up the bleachers I nearly fell and he was behind me and he never asked if I was OK, or tried to steady me. Pretty much he sat like a lump beside me but careful not to talk or touch me, during the game. I just went to bed last night. This morning my alarm went off at 7 to go pick up our Bountiful Basket that I had to charge, since I thought he left for his trip up north with just $.50 (really we were negative) Anyway this morning he did not get up to help me get the basket. He has been coming to help, I guess he really doesn't want to help me today. I started laundry when I got home, P actually got up before noon, but didn't do one thing to help me. The girls had to clean their room today since we weren't going to go anywhere as a family like I asked about doing last week. We have no money, and I just got paid. I am so tired of not having any money to do anything. I know in his mind that if the girls didn't take dance lessons we would have money. Granted R doesn't always love dance, but I really feel like she should be involved in some sport, and right now when I never know when P is going to work from week to week I really can't sign her up for lets say soccer. 2 practices a week and a game day. ANd soccer is going to have a price tag too. It won't work for me, I need help all the time for it to work. She only has to keep dancing for 2 more years then she can join as many sports as she wants in Middle School. S on the other hand it would break her heart to stop dancing. She loves it so much. The girls discovered 2 more loads of laundry while they unearthed the floor. S did that laundry. Right before dinner P eats a snack of some lunch meat and chips. I made dinner myself as usual. P ate one chicken strip. I wanted to yell thanks for wasting a paper plate! The kids and I cleaned up while he sat there like a lump. Then got up and started getting ready for bed. It was 5:30, he has to work at 4 AM. J helped me and the girls reassemble their bunk beds and I discovered 2 more loads of laundry, we'll have to work on that tomorrow, my back is killing me. The carpets need a good vacuum too, I'll have to get one of the kids to help me with that. Tomorrow brings us serving during the first service attending the second then racing home for the girls to get ready for Snow Queen rehearsal. Then home to do their laundry, and vacuuming.

Stress

Today, since we didn't have school I made doctors appointments. So, at 9:15 I saw my neurologist, well that was after I got off the wrong floor to see him. After we talked and he poked me with his little needle and even though I kinda knew and he confirmed that both my knees are now numb on the inside, it's another rare weird thing I have wrong with me. Anyway because of the numbness and the spasms I have been having in my lower back he ordered an MRI and I get to go back to see him. After leaving that office I had a little break and went to Michael's to exchange the cord S got yesterday, but she wanted the stretchy kind and got the non stretchy kind. Then I went to the building were my cardiologist moved to, and in that building has a radiology department too, so I could schedule the MRI, did that but really they only schedule by phone so I got to do that on their phone, kinda weird. It's not like I even had their number just the order from the doctor. Then I headed to the floor I thought the cardiologist was on, but I had the wrong floor, so I tried the nest floor, only as it turned out I had the wrong building. As I was on hold with the office to find out where the freaking office was I went into one of the other offices in the wrong building and asked and the girl at the front desk who actually knew where I was supposed to be,(the building across the parking lot) which was good, because the person who came on the phone after being on hold for 10 minutes could only give me an address not directions since it was a service. My cardiologist moved in with a new group of doctors, so although I have seen him for many years, I've never seen him at this office before. I saw the doctor and had an EKG done, then he comes back to tell me that I have an irregular heartbeat, which doesn't look good. What. I've had my share of heart issues but not an irregular heartbeat before. He asked if I felt it. No, I don't think so. He orders a stress test and echo, which won't be until the 27th, and it's supposed to last 4 hours, I knew I was in trouble with how long it was going to take when the girl scheduling it says bring a snack. I called P as soon as I made it to the car because I was really quite upset. He left this morning with his Dad and brother to hike the Grand Canyon. I came home for a little bit to check on the kids both girls had friends spend the night last night. I would not have let S or R spent the night at a friends house when neither parent was going to be home all day, and the 17 year old brother was in charge. OK S is 13 and responsible, but I don't think I would like that. Both moms were OK with it. Not that J would do anything, to them but I would not be comfortable with it at all. I left the house at 1 to get some lunch and shoe shopping. It was loud at my house and I was stressed, I had to get out of here. I then went to see the Gynecologist for my yearly visit and mammogram. I thought my appointments were at 2:30 and 3, but as it turned out I was off by 30 minutes they really were @ 2 and 2:30, I still got poked and squashed, and have the results in a few weeks. The GYN gave be samples of an estrogen pill I'm going to try to see if that helps one area of me feel better.

my blog posts are turning into weekly events

I really like to blog for a few reasons, the first is purely selfish reason. I want to keep a journal of our life as a family, for us the 5 of us, and for anyone else you finds our life interesting. We had an amazing rain/hail storms on Tuesday. I got pelted on the head during the first storm which was at dismissal time. My little first grader I walk him to a parent was really scared. We had to go back in the classroom and wait out the hail. He sat cuddled on my lap with his head buried in my chest crying, I felt terrible. Driving in the rain on the freeway was not so fun, I didn't think I would ever get home. After the second rain/hail storm Boy Scouts was canceled for J. I still took S to her dance class and didn't have any trouble on the roads, but we are only about a mile away and I don't use any major streets to get there. I'm really getting burned out of having to cook dinner every night usually I have to start something as soon as I walk in the door from school I just need a little downtime before I am on to my next job so to speak. I'm praying about what to do to fix this. Friday after school P and I had to take the van in to get a tire looked at. Then it was the start of picking up friends. S and 1 friend come over to spend the night. R's friend had to wait until I was done with the grocery shopping, P went ti get this friend, then S asked if her boy whose a friend could come over, P went and picked him up. It was very loud in the house and outside with 3 teens and p - 10 year olds. R's friend left about 10, as did the boy who is a friend left. S's girlfriend spent the night. P and I got up and got out Bountiful basket together, we run into one of my sister's friends and we traded somethings. We got her artichokes and she got our red pepper and onions. The kids were pretty happy that we all got our own artichoke for dinner last night. I baked a half a tender pork roast. Yummy meal. P and J went to see nephew/cousin play during his first football game of his season. After P fixed the grill by getting a new propane tank, he took R to see "Legends of the Guardians". Took S's friend home and S and I picked up Karate Kid for us to watch as a family. Pat fell asleep so he missed it, but the rest of us watched it together. We all went to church this morning which was the first time in over a month. The guys and R stayed home to watch the Cardinals game. I have been wanting to spend time with just me and S, so I suggested we do some shopping, have Panda Express for lunch and go to a movie. We saw "Easy A" I'm not sure I really enjoyed it we did talk about some of the scenes. R really wants to see it and I don't think that's going to happen an year soon.

Much Better

I'm feeling better and it's been much nicer of a weekend so far. I'm still coughing, not as much as before but the feeling of someone sitting on my chest is gone. Friday night S spent the night at a friend's house. P took me out on a date! It's been a long time. We had a quick dinner at Chick Fil A because I took too long dropping off S. I haven't seen S's friend's mom in awhile, she's one of my best friends so it was great talking to her IRL not just texting or talking on our cells. Anyway after P and I had dinner we saw the movie Like Dandelion Dust. I loved it. It's been a long time since I read the book by Karen Kingsbury but I think the movie didn't stray far from the book. This morning P went with me to pick up our Bountiful Basket, then he took me out for breakfast. Came home and started the laundry and P was fooling around doing other stuff. My niece B came over to drop off my camera that she borrow to take pictures for me of the Deer Valley High School Homecoming parade. It was great that she was able to take her 2 year old to see J in the parade for me. B stayed and visited while I made dinner, artichokes and cheese sticks with strawberries and cookies for dessert. It sounds like a strange meal, but it was pretty awesome. Relaxing family day, which I really enjoyed after being so sick last Saturday.

Snow Queen 2010

R will be a Village Miss and S will be a Village Maiden. I'm so proud of my girls for getting a part! (:

Weekend

The weekend started out fun. S and I went to my niece's high school football game where she is on the Auxiliary Team. She did great, but I, of course had no doubt that she wouldn't :) Such a klutz that I am, I fell leaving the stands and I'm sporting a nice size bruise on the inside of my left knee. We left the game a little early because S had a youth group activity, It was at a place called Jump Street which houses floor to wall trampolines. She had a great time until it was time to leave and her cell phone which she had hidden behind her shoes was gone. She came home very upset, and I was already upset because I had just tried starting the dryer for the last load of laundry before I went to bed and it wouldn't start. I woke J up to help me, nothing doing the dryer wouldn't start. Laying out clothes all over the place and trying to help S calm down and report her phone stolen was not so fun at 12:30 A. M. Saturday I didn't do much of anything other than cough :( P and J got a new dryer for me at Lowe's. Trying out today, not sure on the settings, I'm waiting on the first load to see what happened. Yesterday the girls auditioned for parts in The Snow Queen. Praying they both make it.

Hopefully I'll get rid of this cough

I am still coughing a lot. I haven't slept for the past 3 nights coughing so much. I've been trying to sleep on extra pillow, humidifier, night time has been horrible. Yesterday I tried going to The Little Clinic. Was told they couldn't do anything for me. I cried. Pat who was at work took me into the manager's office to help me calm down. S had an orthodontist appointment this morning, P had to work so I was going to have to go in late, but P convinced me to take the day off. I called my doctor's office first thing this morning when they opened and got an appointment, I didn't see who I normally see in the office, I saw my cousin's wife. That was awesome because I didn't have to go through any medical history with her, and she's one of my friend's on Facebook, so she knows how lousy I have been feeling. I left armed with a much stronger antibiotic, cough medicine with codeine and some for the yeast infection I developed from the last antibiotic, I think I feel better already. I can't believe I've used half of my personal/sick days already this school year and we're only starting week 7.

Sickness go away

You are so not fun. I think it's ridiculous to be this sick when it's only September. And today's high is supposed to be 105. That's just too hot to have a achy, runny, stuffy nose, plugged ears, cough that won't stop, feverish body. I'm dizzy from the medication I got yesterday, have no energy, don't feel like doing anything and therefore am a little bored. But yeah, I haven't gone to work this week. Hoping Thursday I'll make it. Using 3 sick days this early in the school year worries me.

More Car Drama

Different car this time. Our 1999 Saturn L-series. Recently the oil light started appearing on the dashboard. When I first noticed it P said "no problem, we've got plenty of time" and was planning on taking it for an oil change the next time he was off. Yesterday afternoon driving home from work, I heard rattling for a about a mile then POP, I smelled burning rubber and the car was losing power rapidly. I was on the freeway with no where to stop. I got off at the Happy Valley exit, and lets just say cars behind me were not happy with me. I pulled off to the side of the road where the old landfill is. Called AAA for a tow. First I thought it was a tire, then after looking at all of them, and seeing stream coming up from the engine I thought must be a belt that broke. (OK, I really don't know much about cars, but one time before I was married I had a belt break so I thought that must be what happened). AAA tow truck driver amazingly was across the street. I wasn't waiting alone for long. He towed the car to a shop at Cave creek and Bell, so the towing cost me $25. The mechanic and the owner of the shop confirmed the problem, a hole in the engine. Which means a whole new engine. I call P at Fry's to come and pick me up to take me home. I cried all the way home and for a long time after he left and went back to work. I was exhausted with a bad cold on top of all this unease. I was coughing so much last night I was vomiting. While I did laundry today, P looked up cars online. He found a 2005 Dodge Caravan in a price range we have to stretch our budget into adding monthly payments. P decided it would be better to get a newer car than replace the engine of an older one, we would need a loan either way. Off we went this afternoon and got it. P is thinking of getting the Saturn to our house to park out front to possibly add to security of our house, hopefully robbers will think someone is home. Now that we have a car payment I'm not sure how I'm going to be able to work part-time. Working full-time is very hard on me.

September and it's still so hot!

Last week it did cool off a little, like barely under 100. Yesterday we had indoor recess because of a heat advisory. So crazy that it was over 110 in September. Today is supposed to be hot again, looking at the forecast for the coming week I saw some in the 90's temps. You have no ides how much this pleases me. I'm so ready for cooler weather. We didn't make it to my Uncle Don's birthday party. The car overheated on the way. Well, that's my guess anyway because P had it in the shop and they couldn't find anything wrong with it. This should not be called Labor Day weekend, but birthday weekend. My youngest nephew's birthday was this past Tuesday, my sister's birthday on Sunday, my oldest niece's birthday is Sunday, My Mother-in-Law's birthday is Monday, Navy nephew's birthday is Monday. My Father-in-Law's birthday was the 24th, and my youngest niece's birthday is the 12th. Parties all weekend. National guard nephew came home from Iraq this past week, and we'll get to see him too. I had a horrible headache on Thursday. So glad the kids didn't have anything they needed me to do by the time I got home from work I thought my head would explode. P brought me my contact case for me to whip those babies out and Tylenol before he left to go with his Dad to the Cardinal pre-season game. After throwing up, I slept for 2 hours, got up and yelled at the kids, read for almost an hour and slept till it was time to get up on Friday morning. Took Tylenol all day Friday to avoid a repeat of this. I felt OK all day, but I did have a bloody nose around 1 that took a long time to stop. And since recess was inside, I wasn't outside for a long 30 minutes like I was on Thursday. So far today my only complaints are a sore throat and I'm sweating! Tuesday J had a senior meeting at 6, followed by open house at 7 (he only wanted to check in with his JROTC Major, S had dance class at 7, P was at work, J and I had to go get his car at Fry's so we had 2 cars to do all these things. Yesterday S had an after school dance till 5, then she went to the church office for First Friday Jr. High night at 7. She kept me busy, driving her around. P had the worst schedule this week. Thursday was his only day off and he was at the game. Next week so far is a little better with a few nights of him being home for dinner, and off next Saturday. He was supposed to be off today, but was asked to work, so I'm not planning anything until I see he's really here.

Back to School

First week went well for everyone. R hates having to walk home, especially since on the days she has PE last hour, which for now when it's so hot is in the multi-purpose building, which is the farthermost building from the exit she needs to use to start her walk home. P worked 6 days this week, hopefully if he gets any days off during the week, he will pick her up, so she won't be so crabby. It's a big change for her, because I've always been on campus and took her home and she's never had to walk home. J is loving being a TA in JROTC, sounds like it's his most favorite period. S is learning random things about her teachers, and randomly tells them to me, too funny. I have had sore feet every night, and am sporting one new blister on my toe. I wish I could find sandals that I could walk in and not hurt my feet. There was a near break in of our house on Tuesday, either right after J got home from school or right before he heard noise when he was in the bathroom, room into his room and got his knife and by the time him got it, they left, the French door was broken and the carport door unlocked. P and J were up very late last night installing a security system, hopefully we'll all be safe and our things from now own. Were off to Prescott soon to celebrate my Uncle Don's 100th birthday.

Shoelaces

I have been thinking about how when I was in kindergarten and we had to learn to tie our own shoes. My sister was given the task of teaching me, and I remember a very long night with her determined to teach and me so frustrated I was crying. But I learned how to tie my own shoes that night. J wasn't really ready in kindergarten to learn how to tie. I only bought him Velcro shoes, unfortunately he didn't start tying his own shoes until 4th grade, which was a good thing because it was getting hard to find shoes that Velcroed in bigger sizes. Why this rush own memory lane. I am spending most of my work day in kindergarten and 1st grade classrooms. Shoes are always untied. I'm just nervous when I see kiddos with untied shoes because falling and tripping. I think I should charge for every lace I tie I'd be a millionaire. Well, maybe not a millionaire, but richer. I could collect a lot on those shoes with the round laces, because they never stay tied even double knotted. I'm officially beyond tired, one more day of the first week, whoo, hoo!

Last Day Of Summer

As I sat here sweating typing that title, it seems a rather a crazy thought. Yet today is my last day of summer break. Which hasn't seemed long enough, maybe it would have if I didn't work 5 of the weeks. If only it was below 100 degreesit would be better. I'm still looking for a part-time job, but in the mean time I'll start the school year off at Sunset Ridge. Tomorrow I won't have to drive all the way there as the all day meeting is close by. Thursday I start out close by at a high school, but finish at the campus. Friday all day at the campus. I am so nervous about this whole thing. Working at a school where I don't know anyone. No students, no parents, no staff, where anything on the campus is located. I haven't even met the principal in person. I do know where the school is since I took a test drive, but I can't get there without my Mapquest directions. I should be cleaning or washing but really I am just too hot and don't feel like it. I know I'll regret not doing anything today, but I just don't want too. Partly that has to do I was up late last night reading. In the book the main character's Mom is dying and I had to get through that part and end on something happier before going to sleep. I was crying so bad there for awhile. Yesterday I took S to get her schedule, then did the dreaded taking the girls to Justice, so they could pick out their first day of school tops. They could be there all day. J still needs some binders, but then we are done ready for school until it starts and they tell me the things I've forgotten. Right now J only has 4 classes, TA in JROTC, JROTC, L.A., and economics. He met with his counselor at the end of last year and they did his schedule. Not sure what happened. I have a call in to the counseling office and hopefully they can get him a full schedule with classes he will be happy with. He just won't have a ride home everyday if they don't give him more classes. R had an orthrodontist at a dreaded 4:20 appointment time. Traffic was horrible. I didn't make this appointment P did, but lucky him he was at work so I had to drive. I made J cook dinner, or there would not have been time to eat before dance classes started yesterday at 6.

Interviewing

is so stressful. Monday I had an interview for a kinder extended day para professional. Someone else got that job who had more kinder experience. Today I interviewed for an accounting clerk. Which I would love, I had to test before the interview. I'll find out tomorrow or Monday if I got it. The school is very close by. Which really pleases me, I hate driving. The principal at this school wasn't there for the interview but she listened in to the interview on speaker phone. That was different. She did apologize for not being there in person. It was just strange.

My Birthday in Review

Celebrated yesterday morning with breakfast in Bed that S made for me. Yummy caramel rolls. P and the kids gave me my present. A laptop! I am very excited to play with my own own computer. After breakfast I took R and 2 of her friends to Pump It Up the only summer activity she was able to do with the church kids, other than camp that is. While the kids played I sat and talked with my friend Kim whom I barely ever get to talk with, so that was fun for me! On the way home we stopped for ice cream. The day just flew by,after a lovely summer rain shower it time to go to Red Lobster for dinner. Yummy snow crab legs. I played with computer when we got home until very late. All in all a pretty great birthday. J spent the night at Aunt Jul's house, while they went up north for a few days. S went to The Salt River tubing with the youth group from church, P went hiking it was just R and I and home all day, which was good because I've been dragging.

The very next day...

After I took the para professional job 2 things happened. R was going to her friend's hour who lives in Anthem, so I decided to stop by the school I took which was on the way, from home with no traffic it took 20 minutes to get to the school. Which for me is a long drive, since I'm used to a 2 minute drive. When I got home I saw a 4 hour a day position posted for a school a few miles away from J's high school and S's middle school. I have an interview set up next Monday with the principal. I would prefer the 4 hour a day job. But I'm going to trust God on this, he knows where he wants me to work, and who knows what still might come up. Friday afternoon, the kids and checked in to a local hotel, we swam for a few hours and had a fun time. They left to get pizza and go home. P met me at the hotel when he got off work. We went to the restaurant in the hotel and had a fabulous dinner, we tried things we wouldn't normally try, it was fun, I had champagne which was awesome, the server refilled it a few times and before we left, she refilled it again had me take the glass to the room. It's been a long time since I've drank so much I had no problems with it, and even my blood levels were fine the next day. P and I had a fun time celebrating our anniversary alone. Saturday back to reality and laundry. Monday I took R out to start school supply shopping, and for her to pick out a pair of shoes for school. Today P and I took the kids to Amazing Jake's. It was very fun, but it would have been better if we had several more hours to stay and do more things. Tomorrow is S's day for school supplies, maybe a hair cut, and Vans.

"Be Still"

On April 21st, the last professional day of the 2009-2010 school year, the meeting started out with "some of you won't have jobs next school year". I knew right away I would be one of those hearing the news personally, since I only had 2 years full-time with the district. The meeting was held in the same auditorium as our church meets. Every week since then sitting in service was a reminder of being surplussed. Not that I could forget it on the other days of the week. Then July 1st came and I was put on the reduced in force category. I started applying to other districts. I actually had an interview for Friday that I canceled. As I have been praying about working it seemed like I was hearing God tell me to "be still". Today I was offered a job (really there are 2 campus openings in my job category and I had my choice of which campus). I chose the one closer to home, about 15 minutes away, and the school has been excelling for the past 3 years. I barely got off the phone with HR and the principal called to welcome me. She sounded really nice. The job is 35 hours per week, which is more than I want, but now that I am a district employee again I can post for jobs that are in the same job class but fewer hours, I don't know when something will come up, but I feel better about at least having a position to start the school year with and to work with. Please keep praying for us!

It's my party...

And I'll cry if I want too. Summer is just flying by. Only 1 more week of summer school, then 2 weeks till my birthday, then 2 weeks till school starts. It's making me depressed for lots of different reasons, the top 2 my baby will be a senior, and I don't have a job yet. I just filled out an online application for Washington School District. They have (3) 18-20 hour a week jobs posted that I'm qualified for and aren't in the kitchen or crossing guards, which I really can't do physically even if I was interested. 4th of July found the kids and I at church and out for lunch as usual, P worked till 7:30 PM, therefore no fireworks, which I think the kids are getting to be OK with, since it's been several years, I hate the heat, which is usually my excuse. We played outside after it got dark, R made a cake all by herself as a special treat. On Monday P was off and we took the kids to see Toy Story 3, it was a relaxing 4 day weekend.

It's so strange to only have 1 kid at home

Sunday night was so quite. Yesterday afternoon we picked up my youngest niece and spent the afternoon at a public pool, after lunch at Subway that is. We came home and did some crafts. The girls started on the shrinky dinkys first. I suggested they read the directions first. They were so funny, they freaked out when they curled up, not knowing that happens first then they strink, but had they read the directions, they would have :) Then they moved on to a wind chime craft, and wouldn't you know it, I leaned over the table and got paint all over my dress. UGH. We had dinner and watched "Because of Winn-Dixie". One of R's favorite movies. I think she wishes she was Opal and could rescue a dog to come live with us. This afternoon I took R bowling just the 2 of us, it was fun, without competing brother, sister, or friend. When we got home she let me have an hour to myself, and I used it wisely, I took a nap! She kept coming down to my room "checking" on me. Yes, I'm still here, no, I haven't left you, yes, I am still trying to fall asleep. I didn't have to check on her at all, since she was checking in on me! Tomorrow afternoon P and I are going to take her to see "The Karate Kid". I just need to plan something for Thursday, because S will be home on Friday and we'll have lots of laundry to do, before J gets home on Saturday, and he'll need the washer to do his stinky boy clothes.

It's been awhile

Last weekend was busy with dance recitals and getting R off to camp on Sunday. We even managed to take P to one of his favorite restaurants for Father's Day lunch. Someday soon we'll get to celebrate our 18th anniversary which was also last Sunday. The girls did wonderfully on stage, I am so very proud of them. Fast forward to Thursday, I got a call from the church children's director that R is sick and I need to come pick her up. P was out hiking, I tried to call him to go with me, after 20 minutes of no return call I sent J to get gas in the car. When J got back and P still hadn't called or come home J and I drove to Prescott to get R. She looked OK, but she hadn't eaten all day, on the way home she laid down in the back seat the whole way. Friday she complained of a headache, she was head stuffy, and dragging quite a bit. But she was eating! This morning I took J to the drop off point for scout camp, he'll be home next Saturday. S had friends over, and R and I hung out in my room watching movies. Tomorrow S leaves for church camp. She is very excited. R will be the only kid all week, she's worried that she's going to be so bored. I'm worried I'm going to be exhausted keeping her from being bored! Monday we have plans to hang out with her cousin, which will be fun and she has to go to her Aunt Jul's house a couple of mornings when P and I both have to be at work at 8. It's been a long time since I've had to ask someone to watch one of my kids, that seemed weird.

Dance Rehearsal part 2

The battery in the video camera lasted halfway through R's jazz dance (her class was first this afternoon). I called P and asked him to bring me his camera. Then as I am taking pictures my camera batteries die, not problem I brought spares. Only they must have lost their charge because they didn't work. I had S call P, who brought me some new batteries. What a nightmare. I'm glad he was home to help me. The girls dance beautifully. Tomorrow night is the dress rehearsal at the high school they will be preforming at on Saturday and Sunday. It's so sad the dance year is almost over till August.

This week went by fast

Monday I took the girls to get their dance costume pictures done. We went to Costco to get a few things and ate lunch. Not sure what happened the rest of the day, but before I knew it was Tuesday, morning and I was helping 4 girls make homemade cinnamon rolls, which turned out amazing! The girls and I went to McDonald's for lunch and then swimming at our friend's house. J did not want to go swimming with 2 moms and 4 girls. His loss. Wednesday morning S and I did child care for the woman's bible study. Those little ones whipped me out, I had to take a nap before taking the girls to their dance classes. Thursday morning I worked at Sunrise for 4 hours, came home collect J to go to Arrowhead to meet his Air Force recruiter. J needs to decide what he wants to do soon, so there's no waiting period for basic training after he graduates. He spend a lot of time online when we got home looking at the Air Force and Military websites. Now that the girls are older they don't need as much help with their hair and make up for dance. Part of me is sad that they don't need me, but another part says yea! They had dress rehearsal at the studio for R's tap and ballet and S's jazz. The Wednesday coming up it will be S's ballet and tap and R's jazz. Then on Thursday the BIG dress rehearsal at the high school they are preforming at over the weekend. Yesterday I took J to get a physical he needed for camp, and did a little grocery shopping, and took J to Kohl's to get a dress shirt and jeans for his senior pictures (those will be taken next Friday). I was feeling so tired I took a long nap, and still went to bed at 9. I had had a sinus headache all day and the meds must have really knocked me out. I found out earlier in the week R's camp date is wrong she really leaves for camp on the 20th and will be home on the 25th. I'm pretty disappointment in this change, but I really believe she needs to go and stretch her wings so to speak, going to camp without S or me.

Clean! Well Almost

Yesterday afternoon I decided I wanted to start helping my girls clean their room. I had 3 large totes and they pulled stuff in them that was on the floor, closets, in corners, etc. Several times over, as I would go through the totes as they were filled and separated the trash from the possessions. I sat on my bed and did this while watching a movie, with the fan on me. First time ever I cleaned their room and didn't sweat. We weren't done last night, it all carried over to today. There's still more to do, but from were it began, the room looks amazing! They did the closet themselves and when I saw how organized the clothes were I wanted to cry because I am so impressed. P cleaned up the back patio some, so that looks good. Unfortunately the vacuum is not working and the carpets really need vacuumed. P thinks it is just the bag and after he gets a new one (why is it, when ever you really need the carpet vacuumed you don't have any bags for it?)

Lazy Week

We haven't done much of anything all week. It's been grand! R went to a birthday party at Foothills Aquatics on Monday, she loved it. I went to Bath and Body Works and Jo Ann's and saved 50% at both places. Great holiday savings! And we have lots of yummy smelling stuff, and I have a few projects to work on. Other than dance classes and S went to a movie with a friend we haven't left the house. Even though there's lots of things I want to do around the house, I found playing on the computer and reading way more appealing. J and I are off to met a Marine Sergent in a few minutes. He's not really looking into joining the Marine's but wants to get information on all branches of the military. We got the results from the knee doctor and is ACL is completely closed! No surgery!