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.

Missouri Basketball

How 'bout them Tigers?

American Idol

How 'bout that Adam Lambert?

Playing Catch Up

I have been so negligient in writing lately. It seems like the days and weeks just pass by so fast. I'll take a minute to write now and try to be better in the future, I promise!

American Idol...another amazing show last night. I loved Matt's song. I'm not sure what the song was, some Carrie Underwood song, but I loved it. I love a man who can sit at the piano and make music like that. Remember I am a huge Elton John fan! I really like Kris. The song he sang, To Make You Feel My Love, is special to me as it was sung at my wedding by Missy and Mindy! It is on the Hope Floats soundtrack, which is my all time favorite movie. Danny was good, Adam was good but Anoop Dog really blew me away with Always On My Mind. They are all so very talented. I can't wait for tonight's show.

We finished painting our laundry room/office this weekend. The color is Tomato Green and is just a few shades beneath Lime Green. I love it! I took some pictures and will try to get them added. The cabinets in the room and the woodwork is white in that room so it looks great against the green.

Work has been busy and keeping my jumping. Was it just six months ago that I wondered how there would ever be enough work for me to do? Be careful what you wish for!

I have Kaelyn's Parent/Teacher conference this afternoon.

And that's all I can think of at the moment. It's Wednesday!

House Rules

Kaelyn has established some rules for our home that I thought I should share in the event that any of you come to visit. There are dire consequenses for breaking our House Rules so consider yourself warned.

Kaelyn made this sign to post so we would all be aware of the rules. She did this all on her own so there are a few misspellings that I will translate for you.

1. Don't Running.

This is self-explanatory and comes from my very frequent yelling "NO RUNNING IN THE HOUSE" as Kaelyn and Kate chase each other around and around and around...

2. Don't Hit.

Your little sister!

3. Don't Kick.

The dog, the car, your little sister!

4. Don't Lie.

I'll always find out the truth!

5. Don't Hate.

Wise words from such a little one

6. Don't Scratch.

I love the picture illustrating this one. See the scratch on ther person's head?

7. Don't I Didn't Kick It.

?? I'm not sure about this one.

8. Don't Lock Persons.

As in the bedroom. Or the bathroom.

9. Don't Say No.

Clarification...don't say NO to your mom. Do say NO to drugs, boys, etc.

10. Don't Give Persons Poison.

A very good rule to follow.

11. Don't Whippins.

Because we do a lot of that around here and we really shouldn't.

Saturday/Sunday

We had a nice weekend. Saturday, I was still sick and wasn’t good for much. I laid down every chance I could. The rest must have helped as I woke up feeling much better on Sunday. I watched the movie Changeling Saturday night. I thought it was quite good. I am a big Angelina Jolie fan from way back. She was so, so good in Girl, Interrupted. She is an amazing actress and was terrific in the Changeling. I can definitely see what she was nominated for Best Actress for this role. Now I am curious to see Kate Winslet in The Reader to see how I would have voted if I were a member of the Academy. First I want to read The Reader again. I read it several years ago and remember it being good, but don’t remember much of the plot. But I digress…

Back to the Changeling. I felt about this movie much like I did about the Dark Knight. It is just too much angst for me. Probably the same reasons I rarely watch the news and I hate CSI, Cold Case and all the other crime shows. Give me a good Reality T.V. show any day! Except the Bachelor, which I am now officially boycotting.

Sunday, I had to get out of the house. I could not take another day at home with the girls. So we went to Going Bonkers for a few hours. It was fun and not too crowded. Kate is getting braver and tried a few new things. Kaelyn climbed all over the place, there is no fear in her. They had a fun new arcade game, Deal or No Deal, where the briefcases have differing numbers of tickets in them. Two hundred tickets is the big prize. I made it to the end where I made a deal for 120 tickets. Kevin won 100. I tried to teach the girls to Ski-Ball but they aren’t doing too well with it. Kevin and Kaelyn played a mean game of air hockey. It was fun!

February Reading List

February
Twelve Times Blessed by Jacquelyn Mitchard
For One More Day by Mitch Albom
A Caress of Twilight by Laurell K. Hamilton
Sunday at Tiffany's by James Patterson
Switcheroo by Olivia Goldsmith

I think that's it. I have been reading a couple more books too but I'm not finished with them yet.

This and That

It was a very short weekend. Karl's funeral was Saturday. It went very well, as far as funeral's go. Sunday was spent cleaning house and doing some errands and now it is back to work.

I have a busy week ahead and several projects that I need to finish up.

I am so ready for spring and green grass and flowers. Kaelyn and I looked at all the Easter decor at the stores yesterday. So cute.

And I can't think of much else to write today. Have a great Monday!

Hi Kevin!

I found out yesterday that Kevin reads my blog! I really didn't think he did and it totally made my day that he would do that.

I guess I'll have to be a little more careful about what I write now ;)

My Cousin

My cousin Karl's sixteen-month battle with Cancer came to an end on Monday. Some would say that Cancer won but I think it many ways, Karl won. He knew it was terminal from the beginning, that treatment could buy time, but not a cure. He chose to fight. He fought his battle with grace, determination and humor. For example. not long after being told that he was terminally ill, he asked me to set him up on a date with one of my friends. I looked at him dubiously, and he smiled and said, "Hey, just tell them I'm not looking for a long-term relationship." Last Halloween, he dressed up as the grim reaper. Dressed in his costume, he went up to our local diner, and looked in the windows at all the diners. He pointed a finger at one, then another, before entering the restaurant. He then announced, "Don't worry, I'm only here for the carrot cake."

Karl was always fiercely independent. That didn't change. Despite his illness, he didn't want to be dependent or a burden on anyone. He quickly bought a car so he could drive himself to his own chemo treatments and doctor appointments. There may have been a few times we wondered if he should still be driving but he fought for that right and I admire him for that. Karl died too young. I think he still had a lot of living to do.

Karl's mother, my Aunt Sue, was an amazing person. She also died much too young, also from cancer. The past sixteen months, I learned how much like his mom Karl was. My Aunt died a few months before my high school graduation. Despite the celebration around this event, I felt her absense so strongly. Karl came, and he wrote me the most beautiful letter that day, reminding me of my aunt's love for me. This is something I will never forget and I don't think I ever told him thank you for that.

I loved seeing Karl joke with my daughters and I am so glad they got to know him. Karl would ask Kaelyn who her favorite cousin was, and she would answer him "you are". I think I would have the same answer.

Rest in peace Karl, rest in peace.

I'm Too Sexy...

While getting ready for work last week, Kaelyn noticed my shoes and said "Oh Mom...those shoes are sexy!" Wha? She saw my expression and changed her adjective to "cool" but then shyly asked "What does sexy mean?"

Quote of the Week

Just read this quote and had to share it:

The best way to predict the future is to create it. ~Peter Drucker

The Hunter

Long time readers of this blog (all two of you) will know that I am fascinated by the hunting instincts of our cat, Sam Henry. I am a lifelong dog person due to my mother's severe hatred of cats. It has taken my awhile to warm up to Sam but I am. Every night when the house is quiet, he comes and lays on my chest and sleeps. So sweet!

I don't know if it is his presence or what, but I have not seen one mouse this winter. This is the first time that has happened in the four winters we have been here. I even think it is cute that he leaves his prey on the porch for us to show he is earning his keep.

Until yesterday. Kevin called me out to show me that Sam Henry had left a dead squirrel in the front of the house. Kevin was amazed that Sam Henry had killed the squirrel! Mr. Squirrel was bigger than he is. But wait a minute...that dead squirrel looks familiar. Kaelyn and I had seen him laying in the neighbor's yard the day before when we were taking a walk. Sam Henry had just drug Mr. Squirrel home to earn some praise and hadn't done the killing at all.

I guess that's a good thing. Except now the girls want to add Mr. Squirrel to our rapidly growing pet cemetary in the back yard. And have a Squirrely funeral. I wonder if Sam Henry will come.

I'll spare you the grisly crime scene photos of Mr. Squirrel and share a picture of the little hunter being loved up by his girls.