Playing Catch UP

My apologies for slacking on my posting. I started last week with a toothache that quickly became a TOOTHACHE. I missed work two days last week...because of my tooth! I finally got into a dentist and they recommended a root canal that couldn't be done until May 26! I did get some Vicodin and antibiotics and the promise that I would start feeling better within forty-eight hours. Forty-eight hours passed and still no relief. I literally cried on the way to work on Friday and Monday because I felt so bad. The crying worked and Mom pulled strings and got me into another dentist. This guy said my tooth appeared to be trying to do it's own root canal...I guess that explains the pain! He prescribed a different antibiotic, more painkillers and I get to go back tomorrow. That I am even writing about this and trying to make light of it, means I am finally feeling human again.

And it is Recital Week for Kaelyn. That means every night this week we have to go to the theater and rehearse for three houses a night. That makes for a very tired kid and mom. Last night went well but it's going to be a very long week. I have a new respect for the dance instructor.

I did catch American Idol when I got home last night. What a great night! I am so loving Kris. I think he is adorable and he can sing too! Of course Danny and Adam were good. I think it will be Matt's turn to go home tonight. No judges save this week. They are all very good, it's hard to predict who will make the final two. If I had to say, it will be Danny and Adam.

What else? I am planning a day long Staff Appreciation Day for Friday. It is finally coming together. I need to go buy some decorations later today.

And that's what's been going on in my world. What's going on in yours?

James

I got a phone call from a reporter the other night. He was writing a story about a man whom I used to supervise when I still worked at Woodhaven. Here is a link to the story.

http://www.columbiamissourian.com/stories/2009/04/16/proud-papa/

Masters Degree

Despite walking through graduation almost one year ago, I have still been working towards finishing my internship. Today, my final internship conference call is scheduled and I will be offically done with this chapter in my life. Soon I will have my Masters of Science in Rehabilitation Administration diploma in my hands.

It hasn't been an easy road. I actually started the program in 2002, almost seven years ago to the day. I got married the weekend before I started school and by August, I was preganant with Kaelyn. I had terrible morning sickness, had just moved to a new home, newly married, so school was the last thing I wanted to do. I made the tough decision to drop out of the program in September. I made the right decision but I did have regrets.

The opportunity came again to reapply in 2005. Kaelyn was now two, so I felt that I could manage her and studying both. This time, Kevin and my sister Tracy, decided to do the program with me. I knew their support would be priceless. Shortly after we started, I was pregnant with Kate. This time I had the support and knew I had to push through and get the program done.

My parents went above and beyond the call of duty in their support of all three of us. Once a month or so, they headed to Kansas City with us, and watched Kaelyn, my niece Lily, and then newborn Kate, all in a small hotel room, while the three of us were in class. We couldn't have done it without them.

We finished classes last year spring and then had to do our 400 hour internship. Mine was going to be a breeze, because I could do it at the place I worked. And then I quit my job. I had to rethink my goals and objectives and basically start over. I worked on my various projects all summer until I started my new job. It really helped me get things finished up.

Today. one phone call, and it will all be done. I am so excited and happy, I can't think of anything else. This has been a life long dream of mine and I am finally acoomplishing it.

I think it's time to start thinking about that Ph.D.

Easter Update

It was a wonderful long weekend and Easter holiday. Not that we did much but that is nice sometimes too. We got the girls Easter pictures taken on Friday. Saturday we went to the Easter Egg Hunt at our church. Kaelyn was delighted to see that the carrots she put out on the front porch lured the Easter Bunny in. Kate was delighted to see the baskets of candy the Bunny left. Sunday was a fantastic ham dinner at Mom and Dad's with the family. The four little girls had another egg hunt and more candy. By Sunday night, little Kate was saying "My tummy hurts!"

Ballet Funny

You probably had to be there but I giggled and giggled when the ballet teacher told the class full of tutu wearing little girls, "No more nasty fart noises in my ballet class please!"

You're Invited!

It's time for Kaelyn's birthday so I am busy planning a pirate party! If you have any good ideas, send them my way!

City Museum

I have been wanting to take the girls to the City Museum in St. Louis. Today seemed like a good day to do it. We got up, got ready and headed out for a fun filled day. The trip to St. Louis was not so fun. The girls argued and bickered and demanded attention. But we finally made it, three hours later. It took us awhile to find the museum, located in an old shoe factory in downtown St. Louis. I had direction but with 64/40 closed down, we had to detour a bit. You can read the website to know what the museum is about but let me say, it is visually fantastic. Everywhere you look, there is something to feast your eyes on. The museum exhibits are very hands on. There is stuff to touch, crawl on, crawl over, crawl under, climb, slide, swing...and it is really fun for all ages.
We hadn't been there too long when we made our way to Art City. There was a big table with paints and paper for kids to make their masterpieces. Yea, Kevin and I each made a masterpiece too! There was an area for clay design and another for making masks. I had put smocks on the girls so they wouldn't get paint on their clothes. We were finished painting when Kaelyn wanted to go over to the clay table. I nodded yes, and took Kate to the sink to wash her hands. I really can't remember what happened next but soon after, either Kevin or I noticed that Kaelyn was gone. I remembered that she said she was going to the clay area, right next the the paint table. She wasn't there. We looked over in Toddler Town and didn't see her. Kevin started looking all over that floor trying to find her. Kaelyn isn't one to wander off so I was really getting worried. I was trying to look, dragging Kate behind me, trying to pull me in the other direction, where she wanted to go.

Kevin went down to the front desk to get help while I kept looking for Kaelyn. I went back to the clay area several times to look for her but never saw her. I stopped to buy screaming Kate some cotton candy to pacify her when Kevin came back up. He rudely asked why I was having cotton candy at a time like this, which I ignored, knowing he was panicked. He asked me to go down and wait at the front counter with Kate so I did. I got her settled and looked up to see Kevin and Kaelyn walking down the stairs toward us. I took a deep breath and burst into tears. I couldn't stop crying. I remained calm while she was missing but I guess the fear and the relief just had to come out somehow.

I was so scared. The museum is huge...about 600,000 square feet. There were people everywhere and many dark nooks and crannies. I had no idea how we would find her. Kaelyn was in the clay area the whole time. In my panic, I had forgotten that I had put a blue smock on her and kept looking for her red shirt. Being such a smart mom, I dressed both girls in red so I could keep an eye on them in the crowds. With the blue shirt and her back to me, I (we) didn't see her sitting at the clay table.

I was ready to leave right then and there but Kevin talked me into staying and we did have a good time, once I quit crying and my blood pressure returned to normal.




These pictures are from the website as I didn't have batteries for my camera. I am worn out, emotionally and physically!

March Reading List

Honeymoon by Amy Jenkins
Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey
Seduced by Moonlight by Laurell K. Hamilton
The Summer I Dared by Barbara Delinsky

It seems like I read something else but I can't think of it right now.