Random thought

As I lay in bed last night, sleepy but not falling asleep easily, I had a random thought pop into my head. And, I was truly stumped. Then, I wondered how many others would be equally stumped. The thought? Without looking, quit it-I see you ready to look, could I list (in order)the characters in the number key row that were not numbers? You know, the ones you press shift to type? The ones you probably don't even think about anymore...
Well, for me last night, the answer was no. I was totally stumped on 4-6...
How did you do?

Ah, the things that the mind thinks about when exhausted. Ha!

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Air Pressure, Sweet Kids & other Photos of the week

So, this week (and next) we are going over weather and all that jazz in my class.  One of the things we went over was how air pressure is always going from HIGH pressure areas to LOW pressure areas.  One of the "Experiments" we did (read: observation - I DID the experiment and kids observed) was heating to boiling a soda can with 15 mL of water.  That was then inverted into an ice water bath.  Shazzam!  The high pressure area outside the can implodes the low pressure inside the can. It was AWESOME! Here is my picture of the cans at the end of the day.

Then, we have Caleb giving me a great smile while he played with his trains and cars. Notice he's just wearing a band-aid on his amputated ring finger.  It's looking so great!  He has three-fourths of the nail and it's nicely rounded.

Next, we have Papa's grilling assistant with the essential tools of the trade: Sippy cup & blanket, of course.

Finally, there is a shot of Owen with his slicked down hair and a good cheesy grin.  Man, I love these boys (and my camera!).

Fish Tacos

Owen made fish tacos today:
See?  HAHAHA!
Now you want the recipe, right?!
Okay, okay.  You talked me into it.
Step 1: Mama will give you a bunch of different items for lunch.
Step 2: Bite a hole out of the tortilla.
Step 3: Place mini-rainbow goldfish crackers in the new hole you just created.
Step 4: Fold over and try to pick up the fish taco. Laugh when momma laughs at you and the mini-rainbow fishes falling out (because you made a hole).
ENJOY!

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It's time to say goodbye!

Jean & Greg (Gramma & Grandpa) WERE able to make it in finally, on Friday.  We had a blast visiting with them... but, alas - Monday reared it's ugly head and we had to say goodbye!  I miss them already!

Jean, loving on Owen - or was it Owen, loving on Jean? He just couldn't get enough.

Greg and our pretty boys!

Now that we are finished with all things Christmas-y, I suppose I should take down the Christmas tree and other decor.  Humph.  I don't wanna.

Can't sleep

It's 1:15 on Friday morning.  I can't sleep.  I'm all full of nerves about what today holds.

See, yesterday, my mother-in-law and her beau were due to fly into San Antonio from Cleveland (Ohio).  They should have been there by 11:45 am... but at 4:45 am, we got a text that their flight had been canceled.  So, they were able to get another flight that would get them to San Antonio by 9:45 pm.  Brant and I drove all the way to Junction to pick them up before we got the call that THAT flight had also been canceled.  BUMMER!!!  So, they are going to try ONE.MORE.TIME to get here today.  Same early flight time.  I think we'll know by 6 am whether it is a go or not... but, I've already called in "sick." And, IF they don't make it in - I *might* still play hookie.  That's okay, right?

But, I want them to make it in.  I miss having a mommy that is so wonderful, here.  AND, I know my hubby misses his mommy, too.  AND, my kids WANT to see their one and only real Grandma...

Waiting ... it just kills me ... :o)

Cleaning out breaks my heart

I'm trying to clean out the boys' rooms today. The goal is to take everything out of both rooms; take away old or broken toys; give away good ones we won't use, as well as baby clothes. Then, we will put back clothes & bedding for both boys in one room, and toys in the other room. The problem is that I haven't been motivated to do this all break. Here we are, two days left, and I *have* to get it done. It's breaking my heart to pack away the baby the baby things we no longer need. All the burp cloths, tiny shoes, itty bitty onezies... Ahhhh! I want to hold onto the baby stuff... But, there is no real need to do that. We're - for all practical thoughts - *done* having babies. I don't want to be... But, I'm already 34... He's 35... We can't afford more (let alone the two blessings we already have)... And, we don't want to push our luck. So, it's with a heavy heart that I get back to work: sorting, remembering, folding, and saying goodbye to that phase of motherhood. "Au revoir" babyhood... It was a fun run/crawl/scoot while I was blessed to experience you - twice...

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Are we really already at the end?

I cannot grasp the fact that this is the end.

2009 is actually almost over.  In less than 12 hours, we will be done with this year.  ALREADY?!

I am all for starting in on this new chance at a new year and all... but, wow.  I am extra emotional for this year to be over. I think it's basically because I don't get to... I don't know... be in control of much that will be happening next (as if I thought I was really in control this year - HA!).

Next year has so much in store for our family:

• First, school starts back.  Woot for the time with my co-worker/friends and the schedule getting back to normal.  Boo for the term, "work."
• Shortly following that start back, my MIL and her "man-friend" will visit.  This is so special for us!  We're not even taking down the Christmas tree until after she leaves.  I LOVE having her here.  I miss my mom... and she's a close second.  Sort of.  Not really.  But, she'll do.  :o)
• In February, Caleb will turn FIVE.  FIVE?!  OMG.  no. way.  My heart aches at this thought.  And yet... I love the little boy he is growing into.  And yet... it scares me to death!  Wonder why?
• March - SPRING BREAK!  No plans so far for us.  I WISH we could go to Las Vegas to see my sister, but, alas... money sucks.
• In May, my sweet, brilliant hubby will graduate with his RN.  And start working... making REAL monies.  WOWZA.  Too bad that money is already claimed for hospital bills and the like.  He'll start working, but... will also enroll right back into school.  hmmmph.  Still won't get to see him much.
• In June... In June, I will have to start telling everyone my baby's age in months.  *SIGH* THIS really breaks my heart.  Owen will be 2.  No more babies here...
• August will be back to school for me.  No biggie.  Biggie?  Caleb.will.start.kindergarten.  UGH!  Where?  Who will be his teacher?  Will we be in public school?  Will we be private school?  I. have. no. idea.  And THAT scares me too!
• November, my sweet, brilliant hubby will turn 35.  Big one for him.  A big decision has to be made by this point.  Bigger than I can handle.  All will change for all of us, depending on his choice.  *Think military* ... I don't know what is best here... and, it's NOT up to me.  I will support him whichever way he is called... but, still.
• December will mean the biggest change... maybe.  My sweet, brilliant hubby will graduate with his BSN... and that means ... maybe a move? new job for him? New job/school/city for me and the boys?  Who knows?  I know, I know... HE knows... but, you see my dilemma. right?

While I am still in control of the next several hours (HA!) I really should tidy up the house.  After all, in less than a week my mother in law and Greg will be here.  You know, NEXT YEAR!

Happy New Year, ya'll!  I pray that it is prosperous and happy... 

amazing

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Question for ya, need some advice...

My hubby and I took the opportunity to see Avatar in 3D, today. It was awesome! Hubby was off of work, Caleb went to daycare, BUT Owen stayed home. His fever is still too inconsistent and he's not feeling good enough to go to daycare. Anywho, I asked my brother's sweet girlfriend to watch him for us while we were gone. Here's where I need some advice... Should I offer to pay her? I wouldn't offer to pay my dad, brother or sister-they are family and that would be weird... And, Hollie FEELS like family... What say you?

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Officially Addicted & Stuffs

So, yeah!  I love my new camera!  I am SOOO officially addicted.  I actually looked for stuff I thought was "artsy" to capture on (digital) film.  I am inspired to take a class (with Adderal fully on board) to learn more about F-stop, Aperture, ISO, etc.  Maybe some of those are the same?  I don't know.  I do know that I have only about 60 zillion pictures already of my boys' amazing eyelashes.  It's insane how long and luscious they are.  I like it.  Addicted.  Yup, that's me. I promise not to post a zillion pictures like that again.  I was a little over zealous, I know.

But, anywho.

So, I took Owen to the walk-in clinic on Saturday morning.  He had thrown up the night before, after coughing with some nasty congestion.  Plus, he had a 101.1 fever, diarrhea, nose clogged after nap time (visibly plugged), had his left eye glued shut too, and just wasn't feeling super great.  Since it was a Saturday, I had to go ahead and get in to see someone.  I was pretty certain he had an ear infection.  We got there at 10 'til 8... hoping to be one of the first ones in the door.  Unfortunately, when we drove up we saw that 5 others had the same idea.  We were number 6, waiting for the doors to open at 8.  After an hour waiting to be seen, we were in and out of the actual room in less than 10 minutes.  Saw the doc for less than 3.  Insane.  He says Owen's congestion and fever are due to a virus.  So, here's some antibiotics and some eye drops to clear up that gooky eye.  (yes, gooky is a word - look it up).  Meanwhile, it's Sunday night... the eye gookiness has cleared up... but, the coughing, congestion, nose ickyness and puking are still there.  AND, his fever was 101.7 tonight.  I've been staying on top of the Tylenol every 4 hours... and he still gets a fever.  He feels icky one moment and then fantastic enough to revert to mean/bully-kid towards his bubba.  He then reaches a low point (and high fever point) and only wants "Mama, Mama, Mama." Crawls into my lap and ... 1 ... 2 ... 3... out.  Poor baby!

Caleb got to visit with a friend this weekend.  Her name is Abreail.  They USED to live here, but now live in Colorado.  Anywho, they are about 5 weeks apart - Caleb is older.  She has these melt-you deep, dark brown eyes.  I tried talking these silly four-year-olds into trading their apples with each other without using their hands.  HILARIOUS!  They had such a great time together.  Just goofy kids.  Ahhh.  Oh yeah!  Caleb has a wound care appointment tomorrow morning.  I am so excited to get this over with.  He actually has a nail!  WOOOOOOT!  It's not big yet, but the healing process is just amazing!  And, while he was such a trooper when the actual "incident" happened, he has reverted to being a big baby.  Very sensitive, teary, emotions easily hurt... forgets the rules, etc.  I don't know why he acts this way.  But, he DOES act a bit like a certain someone - or okay, FINE!  I'll tell you.  He acts just like my sister used to act.  "Ow!  He's looking at me!" or "Mom!  Owen hit me with a teddy bear!" To which I tend to respond, "Well, he IS SOOOO strong... and that bear WAS made of bricks.  Oh, wait.  Nope, just made out of the same stuff as this *whack* pillow."  I don't know how to toughen up a boy.  Just hope he gets tougher before he starts school next year.  WAAAAAA!  Don't get me started on that topic.  I have NO IDEA where we will put him.  There are several choices.  I just don't know what is the right one for our kiddo.

Well, I need to get to bed.  It's already well after midnight, and I'm still uploading photos to this computer, and I told my darling hubby that I would just be a minute or two (at 10).  OOPS!  Nighty Night!