Just me bein' me

Inspired

2011-09-09T10:56:00.001-05:00

Today is grandparents day at school. My parents are here for both boys. I have decided to keep this up a bit better, although, I have said that before. I am on facebook, but find that to be more demanding than it is worth. My cousin posted on http://www.parkerhouse4.blogspot.com/ about my Grandad and she posted pictures of the farm. The memories. I was there and posted pictures last year, since then they have flattened the house, basically everything that made it ours is gone, except the barn. I remember painting the barn-oil based paint-I may remember washing the paint off more than painting. I have quit my job at the Veterans home and now am working at the local hospital in the ER. I now work 2 days a week and am full time=the advantage of being a nurse...I will post more later, I have a cake to make for a lady at work for a bachelorette party. Levi's comment to the cake is "why would they want a cake shaped like that? Do they hate her?" yep its a penis cake...I think I like tractor cakes and fire truck cakes better...

dad's night

2010-10-25T18:48:00.003-05:00

Tonight finds Benjamin and I home alone-preparing a talk that he and I are going to give Friday. We are alone because Levi's class is having "dad's night" at school. Yesterday they made Mummy Treats (rice krispie treats shaped like a head and wrapped in gauze). So Benjamin and I have played games then we started to look at the power point that I have prepared for Friday. My friend teaches human growth and development and health classes at a near by school and she asked me to show some pictures and go through the Benjamin story. He will be with me when I do the talk so the students can see him and we can do a comparison of him and a "normally" developed 4 year old. Granted he is not at all delayed, but he is significantly smaller and finer featured than most. He also has some preemmie features. The whole way through the slide show he kept saying "awesome" as he saw pictures of his tiny self. I think it will be good for him to show his story. I have always felt that he is no more of a miracle than every child, but he was in medical definitions a fetus for the first 70 days of his life, and we don't get to see that part of life.
Benjamin is calling for a bit of help with his domino cake, got to go!

not much...

2010-07-07T13:49:00.003-05:00

Some pictures for your viewing pleasure...

Speaker of the house Levi

At Bush Stadium with the OZ.

President Benjamin...

At the Zoo.

Sleeping in the car coming from hockey game...

At the hockey game.

Pedal tractor pull...

Benjamin's turn at the tractor pull-at least the tractors werer John Deeres.

Levi at the pitching contest or home run derby, not sure...

CHANGE!!!

2010-06-21T14:40:00.004-05:00

As you can see I have changed my background. It fits this shitty, crappy, poopie, miserable weather. I am so sick of rain. It rains nearly every day. Dammit it is summer. Today is the first day of summer and it was dark at 1000 AM because of stupid rain clouds. I completely know that it takes rain for stuff to grow, but it also takes sunshine! I have never liked rain, I do like to play in rain, but not every damn day! Now that I have ranted I'm sure it will get hot and humid, which is fine with me!

Levi plays ball tonight the tournament. We are seated 4th out of 10. Not bad considering we only have 9 players, most of the time. He has begun to hit very well, but he still is working on catching. He started hockey again, and still loves it. Soccer starts next month! Football in 3 months. Summer school ends Friday. 2 months until school starts.

Benjamin starts soccer next month also. Hopefully he will start Puppy Pound in the fall (at the high school).

Jacob goes back to school in the fall also-wow he's had the spring semester off and the summer off, it will be an adjustment.

We finally got our furnace in! We will NEVER EVER have the person do any more work on our house. We have been waiting for the furnace since September.

2 months until my birthday!!!! can't wait!

I have lots of pictures to post, maybe after the baseball season. OH! Levi took 3rd in the homerun derby and Jacob took 2nd.

real quick

2010-05-28T17:16:00.002-05:00

I just wanted to post, very quickly..Next week I leave on a business trip to Oklahoma City. Today we had our Memorial Day service, we remembered everyone that died the previous 12 months at the Home I work. I amazed me how many names there were. We recognize them every month, but a whole year's worth. Some of them names I recognized, some I did not. Funny the way our minds work.
Levi's team lost their baseball game last night.
We all have poison oak, I of course have it the worst-not to say I got in it the most, but because I have this immune system that thinks it has to so an all out assault on anything it doesn't like on my skin. I have it on my face, neck, arms and legs-no I was not naked when I got in whatever I got in-I was pulling weeds. Seriously this sucks I hope it clears up by Tuesday!

Well how "bout that?

2010-05-26T08:59:00.003-05:00

Levi finally played his first game last night, they tied a near by town. Levi was the "catcher". I put that in quotes because he did more chasing than catching. At first the machine was low, so the balls would bounce, throw dirt into his eyes, he would cry, we would squirt his eyes with saline, I would tell him if they did not bounce (and he caught them) it would get better. They played 4 innings-the max and tied. Once they adjusted the machine a bit higher we hit better. Everyone (I think) got a hit! It is fun to watch them playing what actually looks like baseball.
After the game the pager went off for a code, Jacob responded, I helped, a sitter took the kiddos home. All I can say is never do I ever want to be worked that hard for that long. We worked this code (by we I mean Jacob and 5 other people-I was the documenter-which in that scene is what I am best at-my license is not that great for out in the field and in the Paramedic's field) for over 2 hours. Now I have taken care of someone who was down for 6 minutes and 10 minutes-not much left of either of those, took care of someone who was down for 2 minutes and that wasn't too bad, but I can't imagine 120 minutes. Never would that be worth it. By the way it is not as exciting as on t.v.
Oh, mentioning tv, we will be without cable starting Thursday. We don't watch much tv, and really I think that we can live without it. I am the one that watches the most tv and it was my idea and decision to have the cable disconnected. We do not have Internet at home just on our phones. Right now we have no furnace or air conditioning either (those are in the works though, I am not ready to give it all up).
Benjamin and Levi will start soccer in August!
Enjoy summer, hopefully I will get back to posting more frequently...

Well, Well

2010-05-12T16:22:00.002-05:00

LEVI IS SEVEN!!!! Levi's birthday was last month, I have been busy. He was so excited. He had a sleep over (we had it at the local Super 8-good tip for parents--no clean up!). Some of the kiddos told us it was "the best birthday party ever". It was fun, we were all very tired. The "7" year olds gave up at 11:45ish and gave up sleeping at 5:30ish. Certainly was a fun time, too bad the camera did not make it. I made a simple checker board cake with a smooth frost job, nothing too challenging!
Levi is done with hockey. Unfortunately his travel team did not travel, there were only 2 that were ready to travel and you really need 3 to skate and a goalie. Levi did play in local league and was asked to play in a near by town's league, but we declined (seriously something every night he was 6). Levi's league team won every game except one-they tied. He was very proud, since his team beat some of the player that have always beat his team!
Levi is now in Machine Pitch Baseball. First game is Thursday. Of course he wants to be a catcher. I finally told him he just likes all the equipment. (although he is a really good goalie and goalies tend to be catchers and visa versa) He really needs to get better at catching before he can be a good catcher. I am amazed at how he keeps his head in it-WOW he does not flinch. So maybe when he catches better he will be another catcher in a line of catchers (he doesn't throw that great either, he is 7).
Levi may play soccer this summer then FOOTBALL in the fall. I would be ok with him skipping either of these sports.
Benjamin, is 3 and thinks he should be in everything that Levi is in, however since the city moved soccer to summer he cannot play-you have to be 4. T-ball you have to be 5. Fall hockey you have to be 4, hopefully some seasons it's 5. Benjamin has his heart set on playing hockey in the fall. He is really pretty good on his skates, although they are TOO big for him-but they are the smallest hockey skates you can get reasonably. He skates fine, they are just too heavy for him to pick up and push off to get any speed up. He'll do fine, I'm sure. Benjamin wants to go to school in the fall-he doesn't beat the cut off, so another year of daycare.
Benjamin cannot wait for his birthday, he has his guest list prepared, his cake ideas communicated to me, because I get to make the John Deere dozer with the blue scoop. I will have to scalped it, because he wants it to stand up. At least it is a challenge!
Jacob got Lasik, it really is amazing. He is so happy with it!
Jacob's team WON the barrel fight at the FFAM convention a few weeks ago. They had a mini Fire Fighter Challenge Jacob's team participated in all events did very well in some events, not so hot in others. My favorite event is the bucket brigade. There is nothing like watching firemen in their bunker pants passing buckets, the speed and strength they have, WOW.
I just keep keeping everything together. Work is very busy, I have so much research and that I am doing trying to teach people how to take care of these Veterans most with dementia. The changes in our bodies and brains as we get older, amazing.
I do more than work of course, but most of it is all enjoyment of my family, watching everyone grow!
OH, Benjamin got Levi Squeak for his birthday-another hamster, this time a "big" one, we can catch and hold!
who knows maybe I'll post pictures someday.

wow

2010-03-20T11:37:00.002-05:00

Well today is the first day of spring and it is snowing.
I found out yesterday someone very dear to me died (yes, people die they don't pass away in my life). I really am amazed how sudden it felt even though I had not seen him in years (like 5). He was my neighbor as a child I remember so many things about him. Then I am jolted back, and as I sit I think about my memories and how some seem so distant, but some so close. I have been doing a lot of education about dementia lately, and I sit and think about what I'll be like if I get dementia. What memories will I re-enact, what memories will drive me to act. What memories will I crave.
Life does not last long enough. In the end who are close? Your spouse? You, God, the Pet? Who else do you need? When you don't remember you have kids do they really provide comfort? Seriously I'm a parent and so often my "job" is to protect them, comfort them, is it their job to provide comfort to me? I have always believed that it is my job to make me happy, no one elses, is that true of comfort also?
Well, I think I am way to analytical today for the first snowy day of spring.

What a weekend

2010-03-08T11:40:00.002-06:00

This weekend was an unusual one. Saturday Jacob and I went to a funeral-of someone neither of us knew. Jacob was asked to do the Bell Ceremony for this fallen firefighter (in a nearby town). I have never been to a fireman's funeral before. I've been to a military funeral, but it's a bit different knowing what the family's life must be like. This was a volunteer firefighter, so I am well aware of their life and their family's. Jacob and I took a fire truck to the services (weird to ride in, by the way) as we drove I thought about a lot of things-one being how LOUD the truck was, the other was more spiritual...no one really knows what it is like to be a fire family. No matter how much people try to understand, but it is just not something you can explain. Knowing that the pager can go off anytime, and he can be gone for an unknown amount of time, and when he returns he may be drained. My kiddos know the tones of the fire department and the ambulance department. They know that daddy may say he'll be back soon, but he may not be back before bed (even if he leaves at 9 AM). They know that if mommy is working any number of people may be picking them up and taking them. They do not know that daddy could get hurt on any call at any time-I am very aware of that. I know exactly what to say when I put them to bed and daddy is on a call. We know that when daddy is at work that he may not be available to answer the phone. We know that part of our family must be those connected to the three emergency services that we are connected--no one else really knows what days are like when "duty calls". I just kept thinking, the family of fire fighters' family members understand always being on call. It's a bit like opera (as Richard Gere says in Pretty Woman) those who love opera will always love opera, others may appreciate opera, but they will never love it-- the same is true of fire fighter families-people may know what happens, but they really do not understand the go with the flow attitude and commitment to the service fire fighter's families have. After 20 minutes we finally arrived. We sat with the fire department all dressed in their funeral stuff-white gloves, black ties...the fire engine that the casket would ride on was complete with the black and purple flags, as with the other engines from that department. He had no wife, no kids, just a lot of friends, sisters, nieces, and nephews...so much for my insight for the wife...
Levi played hockey! He stopped 15 out of 25 the first game--his team lost 0-10--his team took 2 shots on the opposing team and they played a total of 2 minutes in front of the opposing goalie. Second game Levi stopped 25 of 36 (one of which his own teammate shot on him) again they lost 0-10 and they did not shoot at all on the opposing goalie, and played only 5 minutes on the other side of the center line. He was ok with the losses, but still they need to score.
Baseball meeting was Sunday teams are set! yeah!!!!

comfy

2010-03-04T21:39:00.002-06:00

Well, I am working a bit late tonight and have just a few minutes left....Much has been happening and I will post some movies of Levi playing hockey one of these days, I also have a little clip of Jas playing Just Dance on her Wii (on second thought...). I have several updates:
We spent a wonderful weekend with Jas and her family-although not all were healthy, we still managed to have a great time. Our kids are just perfectly aged, Benjamin and Albi had a great time. It's really the first time that Benjamin has someone exactly his age to play with (except at daycare) so it was really fun to hear them talk, laugh, and play.
Levi has had a hockey game and is really doing well. He REALLY hates to be scored on, so he doesn't goalie every game, but man does he get a workout. His team is not really good at scoring. The last game Levi blocked 38 of 48 shots. The other goalie blocked 10 of 14. A little lopsided, huh? He just keeps plugging away. We are careful not to push too hard. Soon t-ball will start...
Gosh it just seems that we are much busier than that. Honestly, my mind has finally turned to mush, I must go home and to bed-I've been here all day...

There should be a song

2010-02-22T13:17:00.003-06:00

"It's snowing, it's drifting, the school is cancelled..." Really my kid will be going to school this year until July. As much as he loves these snow days, he will not love missing spring break and not getting out of school until summer is over. We had our 14th snow this winter. Mind you this year we usually do not have big snows and we usually have some sort of ice storm-which we have not had as of yet. Any how, it snowed again yesterday--10-12 inches. So I think that someone somewhere needs to come up with an "it's raining, it's pouring" song for snow. I will be working on this also.
Boys and I have been sledding and we have had some snowball fights-to which Benjamin always wants to be on my team...go figure.
We are in hockey and Levi is goalie. I have had a lot of compliments about how good he is and how natural he plays. Then he comes out and want to forward. It doesn't matter to me, but he always goes back to wanting to goalie.
Jacob is another year older, which means I am 6 months older.

1/2 a year in pictures!

2010-01-14T10:18:00.008-06:00

I guess I will be starting recent and going backwards...My 3 boys-Benjamin, R, and Levi enjoying a Snow Ice Cream Root Beer Float... Sadie, my dear and only girl, enjoying the snow. She is now 9 1/2 and getting gray and slow.
My two snow boys playing in the snow after Christmas...
Yes, a Christmas hug that turned into a take-down--Really are there any other kinds of hugs?!
Scopin' out the Santa gift--Handy Manny workbench--a bit over looked for the John Deere tractor ordament for the tree...
Oh Yeah the Nerf Blaster!
Decorating Christmas cookies-Levi was an expert "blinger"--he added the "bling"(sugar) to all the cookies I frosted...
Yeah, not sure if Benjamin even decorated anything he did not eat. Poor Levi worked so hard and got 2 cookies, Benjamin snuck countless...
The only picture of both in front of the tree-I was done, and they were not "sit there and smile" ready...
Levi looking very handsome on the way to his Christmas program.
Levi and I walked to scare out deer while Jacob and Benjamin waited to shoot the deer, I thought this was a nice place to take a picture..
My men in orange--it hurts your eyes after a while.
Out of snacks and unable to pick on his brother Levi is a bit glum.
Oh yeah, any good day hunting starts with a snack...in the back of the truck...
Master Yoda and Captian Rex-seriously they refered to each other and themselves that way all through Halloween-as a matter of fact I thought it was cute, until they did not respond to their names when I called them-no longer cute, no longer fun, no longer funny, but I did not stop them they had a great time.
Benjamin was not so crazy about the pumpkin guts--even though he was ok with them last year.
Levi, however dug right in!
My favorite picture of Benjamin and Sadie.

The barn where my Dad grew up.
Soccer.

Benjamin freezing at soccer.

My toothless boy-just one gone, it was not long and the other was gone. In Mexico!
At the cenote, not sure if you can see how clear the water is. You my have to click to make it larger.
Playa del Carmen's fire station-what can I say we are fire people.
The beach at our resort.

Hope you all enjoyed my looooonnnnnggggg post!

Seriously?!

2010-01-08T08:12:00.003-06:00

Well the weather has been fun lately. Since December 9th (when we got 12 inches of snow that melted the next week) I have wanted snow, and we have gotten it! WOW and now it is really cold. Niether really bother me, what irritates me is all those people who bitch about the weather--seriously if you don't want to go through another winter- move there are places in this contry that do not get snow and cold. Also these people that bet the farm that the weather man is going to be 100% right--seriously get a clue. I have lived in the mid-west long enough to know that no one knows how much snow we will get. I work in healthcare-you have to come to work. My facility will go and get our employees-amazing how many don't answer the phone when we offer. I drive 45 miles to get to work-I've missed one day because I was too scared to drive in and one day because there was a tree across my driveway and on my truck that I could not move. Everyone acts like we live in the south-seriously we don't. They've cancelled school so much that I believe that Levi will be going to school through Easter Break, and until July! I do understand that I live in a rural area and there are families that live in the country and can't get in, so it doesn't get me too bad, but poor Levi thinks they don't have to make up these days. He was really disappointed when I told him he may be going to school on nice days this spring and summer since they are missing these cold and crappy days.
Well, I will post later something on Benjamin, right now I am just out of updates...

yeah, whatever

2009-12-14T15:29:00.000-06:00

well, it's been about a month, so I feel like I need to unload.
First of all I have been following the whole Tiger thing and I really am sick of people cheating on their spouses. Seriously, if you don't want to be married then don't be married. However you cannot have it both ways. I am so sick of these celebrities that cheat then say "Please give us our privacy" Seriously, if you wanted privacy you should not have cheated with one of your fans--DUH! Pathetic that I have such a good life that I can't quit following how he screwed up down and sideways.
Second I have been doing A LOT of dementia training lately, so I have added a new blog. This blog is one from HBO's Alzheimer's Project. It is completely written by a man with Alzheimer's Disease. It is really interesting.
Third Levi is now a goalie on the traveling hockey team. We played in Springfield the first weekend in December. He loves hockey. It is fun to watch and moves so fast. First grade's Christmas program was good, good, good.
Fourth Benjamin is something. Wow, is he is something. He loves the snow and he loves shoveling the snow. He and Jacob have been "working" in the snow a lot.

Well, I have ranted and raved. I suppose I better go...

A farewell to Matey :-(

2009-11-11T09:25:00.000-06:00

Matey Wiskers died on Saturday November 7, 2009 sometime during skating lessons that morning. We came home from skating and Levi went in to see his hampster and yelled "Matey's dead". We had heard him in there running before skating, so I (yes this is a Mom of the Year moment) said, "He's probably sleeping" to which Levi said "He's dead, dead, dead!" then started to sob. Yes, this made me go in and check, yes there lay Matey on his back dead. Benjamin and Levi both were crying and telling me we had to bary him. I got Matey out of his cage and we put him in a bowl, Levi wrote his name on a card and carried that bowl around until Jacob got home so we could bury him. Jacob dug the hole Levi dumped Matey in the hole and Matey was covered before Benj and I could get the cross made and over to the "funeral". Soon after Benjamin said "Levi I will get you a new hampster for Christmas, is that ok?" Levi just nodded, gave him a hug, and cried.
Do we ever get attached to pets! I must admit I am a bit upset we only had him 6 months, I am going to ask at the store that Levi bought Matey, seriously 6 months...

Hola!

2009-10-18T21:45:00.000-05:00

Well, you may have noticed no pictures, I am trying. We have been busy. Levi is now in soccer, hockey starts next week. Benjamin started "high school" in September--it's a preschool at the high school. Jacob and I went to Mexico for a wonderful vacation in Playa del Carmen--just us, relaxing...a honeymoon of sorts... we dove the one cenote. Boys were very excited about the rocks, t-shirts, and "Mexican Money" we brought back. It was exciting to watch them as we explained about the exchange rate and how not everyone uses dollars and cents. I remember when my dad came back from Vancouver with "loons", I think that money is interesting.
I will continue trying to figure out the picture thing--we did an upgrade for our camera's software-somehow it is not as simple as it used to be--downloading the camera is but not the uploading pictures to a blog-I think I can to facebook easier, however, I am not that good at facebook--either way I'm a bit challenged-you can't quit learning!!!

it's been so long

2009-09-03T20:02:00.000-05:00

I had intended to post pictures, but I do not know which file they are saved in, so I will attempt that this weekend when my man is here. I am still here and I will post this weekend...

What a JUNE

2009-06-08T07:27:00.000-05:00

Well, since the last post (a month ago-does anyone even look anymore) we have been very busy, with unusual stuff.

First in May Jacob taught a lot of weekend classes, so the boys and I had a lot of times just us.

Then my cousin Joyce's daughter was getting married in Evansville, IN (an 8 hour drive) May 16th, I had decided to go, then not go, then to go, then definitely not go-so Jacob decided to teach, then I decided to go-Jacob could not. I decided to go alone-then found out my parents were going, so off we went. On the way we stopped at the St Louis Zoo-great fun, the boys LOVED it, we walked and walked, then off we went on to Evansville. Of course the boys had a great time in the pool, then the wedding. Neither had really been to a wedding and dance that they could remember, so it was really fun to watch. Levi spied the "Marrying girl" first and asked her to dance-all the while Benjamin stood there and watched "I'm waiting patiently" he would tell people. When it was his turn he was certainly smitten. Levi found a bridesmaid that he adored dancing with over and over. We danced until Levi finally told me he was tired and ready to go, Benjamin's eyes were heavy, but he wanted one more dance. They still talk about Mandi and how pretty she was in that "marrying dress". The ride home was uneventful, I think a good time was had by all.
After that excursion Jacob and I began to plan for our June, we packed for the whole month one afternoon, so we could literally just go from one bag to the next, without having to do much, thank God we did that it would have really frustrating if we had not.
June 2nd Jacob (bag #1) left for Jefferson City for the week (until Sunday)-the boys and I (bag #2) went to "visit" him in the hotel Friday-Sunday (yeah, we brought him home with us). On Saturday the boys and I went to the State Capitol, to see mommy's boss's building (aka the Jefferson Building) with the BIG BEAR, the Governor's Mansion ("so he's like the president of our state, right mommy?", "right, Levi", "but the president has a bigger job, 'cause he has 50 states", "right, Levi", "but Governor has just one state", "right on, Levi", "so why does he have 2 buildings, and the president just have the White House?"....). We did the self guided tour of the capitol, Levi liked the cannon, Benjamin liked the echos, amazing art, really amazing art was what mommy liked. Levi, to my surprise asked a lot of questions about laws and lawmaking and who decides what is fair...there was also a Lewis and Clark demonstration/celebration going on in the Jefferson garden, many boy scouts with period "kid powered" toys that we played with for a while. There was a wedding getting started in the garden by the mansion, so the boys wanted to go see Mandi get married again, when I explained that it wasn't her, neither of them thought that bride was quite as pretty as Mandi (off the hook)! We enjoyed diner with Jacob, then after class on Sunday we came home, and we all got one night together.
Today much to Benjamin's disappointment (I'm sure) Jacob is off to another class (with bag #3) until Thursday (hopefully), Levi to school, Benjamin to daycare, and I am back to work.
Thursday (hopefully) we will leave to go to the Lake (bag #4) to do some diving. Once we get back, the plan is for Benjamin (bag #5) to go to dad and mom's, then I leave (bag #6) for St Louis. I'll pick Benjamin up on the 20th then we have Father's Day at the K to watch the Royals and the Cardinals. Then life will be back to the normal business of our lives.
All through this we are continuing Tae Kw an Do on Monday/Wednesdays, T-ball games Tuesday/Thursdays, church on Wednesdays, Inter-generational day on Fridays, Summer School...

Yeah, it's been a while

2009-05-06T16:13:00.001-05:00

Needless to say I have not been very good about keeping you all posted. So here is the run down:
Levi-almost ready for summer school as a 1st grader! Spent his birthday money on a dwarf robo hamster named Matey Whiskers. He is very proud, but Matey has been so scared he doesn't do much yet. First t-ball game is in 2 weeks!!
Benjamin-growing a little at a time, however talking ALL the TIME, complete sentences. We had him tested to see where his milestones were (through parents as teachers, they do it on all almost 3 year olds) and he actually does many of the 36 month milestones, which surprised us all since he is 32 months and he was so early.
Jacob-done with his first semester, taking the summer "off", teaching A LOT of PALS, ACLS...and taking several classes provided by work. Looking forward to diving A LOT.
Me-teaching a lot of different stuff, my friend Keri and I are starting a new project to expand our PTO (PTA) to include some activities, not just fundraising.
We started a bit of a garden as we usually do, just hearty stuff. I grew broccoli and cauliflower one year, but I really do not have to time for those picky plants-clipping the flowers, covering them from the sun...I just have too much other stuff...
Jacob and I are going to the Mayan Rivera this fall, hoping to do some diving and I really would like to zip-line.
Wow, we are much busier than that, just day to day stuff...

wow, is it really that hard?

2009-02-19T18:04:00.000-06:00

Tonight Jacob met me at the door "I'm leaving", off he went to a fire, of course. I had driven by this fire, so I half expected him to meet me at the door. Levi has homework again. When did kindergarten get so hard? I mean homework? he's FIVE. This may be punishment for the parents. After a day of school to sit and have parents (well, me) sit and harp about getting homework done is just a great finish to the day. I usually do not mind, the reading and the counting, and the writing, but just writing for the fun of writing is just hard for me. Maybe I am just tired and ready to relax. Jacob was going to make my requested supper, now, I will probably be making something simple-my knight in shining armor is saving someone else's diner...Boys are great. Benjamin was the crowned prince of the Veteran's home last Friday (pics will come). Levi loved his party at school.
Unfortunately I have to close. I spent some time on facebook, so my computer time is about up, I am being requested to read and proof read the numbers...

Where to begin

2009-02-04T12:07:00.001-06:00

I have been a bad, very bad, blogger. It has been about a month, and I will probably update monthly and with pictures from now on. I have just gotten really busy, both at home and work. I do have a prayer request, if you are the praying type. I have a friend Keri whose daughter K (3) is Downs Syndrome and is currently in the hospital coughing up blood-not a really good sign...They are in the hospital and who knows when they will be home again. The last time K did this was 2 years ago and she was in the hospital for several weeks.
All is good at my house, we are just helping our friends...Levi starts hockey again soon, Benjamin is becoming a pro skater. So that is all, kind of sad how boring my life is-huh?

Happy New Year!

2008-12-31T11:05:00.000-06:00

Wow, I cannot believe that this year is over! What a great year we have had!
It was so fun to send Levi off to summer school then "real" school. I'm sure in the future I will be so sad to see him leaving for school. Seeing him learn to skate and play roller hockey, watching t-ball, and seeing him get better at soccer. He now reads and writes. Levi kind of rides a bike. He has become a great big brother, protecting his little brother, playing with his little brother, and yes antagonizing his little brother.
Benjamin is now a talker, repeating so much that is said. He now runs and jumps and plays. He is now his chronological age TWO. There are no more extra doctor's appointments, no more cautious optimism, he is just him. He has learned so much with Levi as a great role model. How to tackle, how to antagonize, how to play. He now wants so much to play hockey and go and do everything.
Jacob is the best husband ever and 2009 will start a new chapter for him, he will begin his journey for his Bachelor's Degree in fire science. This will take a few years, but it is a dream of his to have his degree. He coaches t-ball and soccer. He loves watching Levi skate. He has learned that Benjamin is a good little helper and gives Benjamin good helping jobs. Jacob continues to create the things I dream up. He is a GOOD MAN!
I just keep perking along. I continue on my journey to be a healthier me. I have found some mental health in teaching a little bit of Sunday school and always strive for balance. I think I have become good at keeping us together and in the right place at the right time...this year I have really missed Jas, we so often have the same issues at the same time, it would be nice if we lived closer. Too bad neither of us are in the position to relocate...
I will be with my two little boys tonight, Jacob will be off fighting fires. No doubt we will be in bed asleep well before midnight.
so HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

the things kids say

2008-12-22T18:27:00.000-06:00

Not sure if Levi made the paper last year, but this is his letter to Santa this year:
For Christmas I want a DS and Mario Super Car Game to go in the DS. I want Star Wars DS game. Come on a different day because dad works on real Christmas.
Your friend, Levi
Ok, so I knew about the DS, however I have asked him Thousands of times which games NEVER did either of these come up. Jacob is doing a scrabble today....
Merry Christmas!
GO FREEZER BUNS!!

Christmas is coming the goose is getting fat...

2008-12-21T16:09:00.000-06:00

The Sunday before Christmas and we are still very unsure of when our celebration will be. We have been so lucky for so long that and this year is really the first time that our occupations have gotten in the way. Jacob works the 25th, I work the 24th and we have extended family on Saturday. We have told Levi that we will call Santa to make arrangements, but for when. There is a promising chance that Jacob will be home about midnight on the 24th/25th-which entails him working the 24th day- this is what we are hoping, but I hate to completely plan that because if something happens and he ends up staying all night then we have to wait for him to come home. Levi is SUPER excited which makes Benjamin SUPER excited. I love watching them...
We got to "play" Santa for a family in the town that I work, the CNAs asked for donations and got TONS of them for a family in need. Levi is pumped about all of the stuff in my office for the girls. Again it makes me so thankful for the things I have...I have never needed anything for Christmas--like toothpaste, shampoo, sheets, towels. It is a good time to remember what good feels like.
Today we did Sunday school. We do this rotation in Sunday school for the kiddos, in which for 8 weeks we use the same lesson and just apply it in different ways. Jacob and I always do the cooking week. We made edible Christmas trees- with sugar cones, green frosting, popcorn, and cookie decorations. This is a fun thing to do, but can be messy! We talked about how even though each of us had the same things to decorate with none of the trees were the same, kind of like people. We talked about what Christmas means and one of the boys said it is not as much fun when you don't believe in Santa. I asked him why he does not believe and he said he "knows" (mind you there are little kids also in the room) I said well wasn't God the first Santa- he gave the best present-he was surprised, and I said maybe there is a little Santa in all of us, and you just have to believe in giving and Santa makes sense- sometimes I surprise myself... I have Levi convinced that snowflakes are Santa's eyes and ears to watch over everyone. On that same note Levi had a bell today and he was ringing it in Jacob's ear, J pretended he did not hear it. Levi was very upset believing that J did not believe in Santa (don't get it watch Polar Express), J then said is that a Santa sleigh bell? Oh I can hear it...
So Merry Christmas, and may you all find more that you need in your celebrations! Oh, as for the title of this post, well, I do love John Denver the the Muppets Christmas Carols...

it's been a while...

2008-12-16T19:02:00.000-06:00

Sorry it's been a while. I still have several pictures to post (maybe this post-who knows). This post may be a bit rambly (yeah a new word) but I am watching HOUSE. We have been great and the boys are enjoying the Christmas season. We had our Christmas celebration with my parents this last weekend. They are still on the getting stuff "high" that happens this time of the year.
Hockey is over Levi's team fought a good fight, but they just could not put the puck in the goal, which is a key to winning. Now Levi is focusing on school. Which has been shortened and cancelled because of snow and cold. If we were farther north school would not have been cancelled. We have snow today and are expecting more ice and snow on Thursday.
Benjamin does not enjoy the snow as much as Levi, Benjamin likes to look at the snow and kick the snow, but God forbid any snow gets on him. He just has a fit.

Here are some Hockey pictures. Levi is goalie!

Here is Levi getting some instruction.

My little boy consumed by goalie gear.

Here are my boys working on their future toy room. They are working on it now for that matter...

A very sweet and tired Benjamin.

I did some face painting...

Special thanks to Am, who taught me how to do this spiderman face.

holidays

2008-11-11T11:26:00.000-06:00

I just wanted to say that we are still here and alive. All is well and we are just preparing for the holidays. First Thanksgiving then Christmas, then the time will be over and all will be back to normal (not all that excited, but I will get there, just a lot of "red tape" with the holidays isn't there?). Still working slowly, but surely on the toy room. It is taking longer than some think it should, but it is consistent with our plan of slow but sure. We want it to be just right, so I like that it is taking awhile so I can think of how I want it done. It does, however make my house always messy, but honestly what difference does my messy house make, I doubt anyone will take my kids away, or throw me in jail....So I will probably post more later...

My sweet Benjamin, and his CARING brother

2008-11-07T10:16:00.000-06:00

I realized while reading Freezerbuns (keep holding on) that my NICU experience was not bad. I had the "best case scenario" all of the time. Enjoy-the pictures they don't start until Benjamin is 3 weeks old. The hairy chest is Jacob, Levi is the other male in the pictures...

The blue outfit is the day we came home. It is Preemie and was still TOO BIG.

Happy at home a couple of months later...

Some say Benjamin is a miracle, however the real miracle is that my family stayed together and Levi LOVES his brother-I could not ask for a better husband, kiddos, and nursing staff during these last 2 years. He is TWO no more adjusted AGE!!!!!!!!!

VOTE

2008-11-04T09:13:00.000-06:00

I voted today. It took me 30 minutes-in a town of 3000, seriously?! Even now I am undecided if I voted the way I "should" have...Really what role does experience play? Does anyone have enough "experience" to be pres or vice pres. What prepares you for that? And if you have "experience" being president than you only have one term left-right? I will be glad when the polls close. I am grateful that I have PTO tonight as much as I HATE PTO (it used to be PTA), but at least I won't be home hearing about the election every 2 minutes. Either way this election will result in the first...and either way I fear for the president-what you don't think that someone would want to kill the first minority president or kill to make the first minority president. Either way I believe the secret service has their work cut out for them...
On the non-political front...this weekend we get pictures done with my whole family. Sunday we will then do what I have grown to look forward to, and never thought I would ever do...we sight in rifles for deer season-no I don't hunt- not because I think it's wrong, but because I think it would be BORING and COLD! However I do love to shoot a gun-mainly the 9 mm. LOVE IT. Levi shot the 22 last year and will again this year. We go with John, Keri, J, R, K, G and we always take my little girl Sadie (dog) who loves to try and retrieve what ever we shot-mainly she runs around and never manages to find anything that does not stink nor does she ever get shot-amazing...Every year (well the last 3) I have gotten a picture of Jacob and Levi walking to the targets-they hang in my office, each time I manage to catch them in the same part of their step. This year we will add Benjamin. Both boys have their own ear muffs for the noise and both know to stay out of the way. It is important to us that they understand gun safety...
Levi plays hockey and I think that my parents are coming for that game (actually I think they will be here all Sunday-but we really "have" to get the guns sighted in deer season starts 11-15). I never ask and honestly I don't know why we have to do this every year, but it is a day outside in the wilderness...
and still not pictures, some day...

mostly levi

2008-11-03T07:01:00.000-06:00

Halloween is over, soccer is over, and November is here.
Halloween was very busy. Benjamin came to work with me as usual for a Friday, but he was all TWO when it came to his costume. He did not want it on when it was on, then he wanted it on when it was off. So he put his costume on and off about a million times. I was a Hershey's Kiss, which is nice when it is cold, however it was so hot in the facility (I am guessing about 3 degrees cooler than hell) so the day was hot and stressful. Benjamin was hot, I was hot, Benjamin was whiney, I was easily annoyed by whining. Once we got home and cooled off then the evening went much smoother. I will post pictures sometime...
Levi's last soccer game was Saturday and we had the team over after the game for cake...Levi scored 3 goals and was very prooud that he "slammed the door on Q". The other team had this little (not really little) boy that used his body to push everyone out of his way. Levi got pushed once, then "slammed the door on him". (I don't know and I didn't ask-I have never said it, maybe his coach did).
Last night we had hockey. Levi goalied both games. The league does not have many kiddos so they played 3 on 3 and the other team did not even have a goalie (because no one wanted to be goalie). Levi does a good job, but he can't stop all of them and when there are 3 coming at him he does good to keep the score down. His team was missing one of their best players, so the White Ducks got creamed, even with no opposing goalie. His teammates just could not overpower the 3 on 2 situation, so Levi got lots of practice defending his goal...
Benjamin is good, he has entered the "I'm two so I am always right" phase of life. Although he is cute when he says no and runs the other way, he is more adorable when he just comes and does what he is asked.

short and sweet

2008-10-27T16:17:00.000-05:00

I hope that this will be short...
We have had some exciting times! Levi is almost done with soccer (this Saturday is the last game) and hockey is getting started! We have let him be goalie now...and last Sunday he took one in the chest, one on the forehead part of the helmet, and one in the face mask. I tell you what it did not even faze him. He kept right after the puck, never loosing sight and never forgetting what he needed to do. I was a PROUD MAMA! He really works hard at the goalie thing, so hard that you can tell that he's not all that into the whole scoring thing. That would not be a problem on any other team (no one wants to goalie), but on his team there are 3 that like to goalie. Most are older (one is 12 one is 9) so they usually let Levi have his way. Levi also got hurt during his first game. I walked out on the rink when heard him cry here was the conversation:
me: "Pop tall, Levi you're tough"
Levi: "No, I'm not"
me: "Where does it hurt?" (I knew, but what the heck)
Levi: "MY KNEE" (yeah, not the answer I thought-yes I thought it was a bit higher than that-and his shin guards go past his knees)
me: (as I kiss my hand and put it on the shin guard) "If you are not okay then no goalie next game"
Levi: "I dried up"
and off he went...
All the while Benjamin (who had no nap, but was really good) is posing for his picture taken about a million times with some girls.
BOYS!

It's FRIDAY

2008-10-17T09:55:00.000-05:00

It is time for Jacob to come HOME! I must admit that this week has been a very long week...
Jacob has been in Las Vegas since Tuesday and I have been a single parent, a job I am NOT cut out to be full time! It has been a great week and I really have done well ( I have only done drive-thru once-but may do it again tonight) that means I have cooked, done dishes, kept the house picked up (as much as a construction site can be anyway), bathed the children, and managed to come to work every day! I must admit I love my boss, she has been so kind to me this week-daycare does not open until 0730 and the kiddos have to be picked up by 1715 (sorry 5:15 I operate on a 24 hour clock, you'll have to learn it- I don't always convert) it takes me 45 mins to get to work so I get to work at 0830 then leave at 1615-that's no 8.5 hours, she has let me use leave time to make up for the hours this week, usually I just make up the time when Jacob's home, but he's not here, is he. All three of us are ready for daddy to be home.
A woman at work got married last Saturday-Benjamin's favorite here at work, I am so happy for her, and I am glad to hear someone wanting to be happy in marriage. There are at least 3 people getting divorced here at work. It really makes me sad, never do I think that people believe their marriage will end in divorce. So, I'm happy for D, because she has a good guy (maybe almost as good as mine) and it's good to have more happy couples in the world.
The new toy room is proceeding full steam ahead. We have the room tore down to the studs so that we can seal and put new insulation up and drywall. I had planned on working on the room this week, but bedtime came so quickly after supper that it just didn't make it on the list of stuff to do...
Benjamin is talking all the time. I do not think I have heard mom, mama, mommy, mmmmooooommmyyyyy as much this year as I have this week. He misses his dad. Benjamin likes the construction zones and pounds everything. He is a worker... Last evening he was "helping" me pack Levi's lunch and wanted one to bring to work today. I packed his lunch and he has carried it everywhere, and cried when I put it in the fridge here at work.
Levi is super excited for his dad to get home and his jam packed weekend of soccer and hockey. He is going to his friend R's after school. It is amazing watching him learn to read. He loves his books and figuring things out...
I start a cake decorating class on Monday with some friends, I'm pretty good already, but there are somethings that I don't know how to do like FLOWERS...

2008-10-08T15:37:00.000-05:00

Well, it's getting toward the end of the week and we are BUSY! Levi is now a two sporter-soccer and roller hockey. Both Jacob and I are sure that Levi will make a great goalie for both sports. He tends to stay back and guard the goal. Pretty good, huh?! He is going to be TIRED a lot. He is loving school and using his glasses while he reads to me. There is so much to report that I can't think of anything. His schedule is amazing and I have now gone to color coding the calendar to make sure we are all in the right spot on the right day.
Jacob is working a lot and will be gone on business all week next week. Wow, already! My children and I will have to struggle by next week, I'm sure that we will make it. Jacob will be starting back with saxophone lessons soon, so our home will be filled with new music. (my friend Amber-who I am learning that I miss when she's not around teaches Jacob's lessons then we make a supper for her... one day her and her husband will learn to SCUBA with us)
Benjamin is the only one that just goes where he is told. To say that Benjamin loves Levi's hockey stuff is an understatement. Benjamin's ability to follow the game is amazing. Soccer seems to just be a good time for Benjamin to play.
I start a fun class on Monday evenings. Cake decorating. Monday will be my first class, but I am already pretty good at putting what is in my head in or on a cake. I have made all of my boys' birthday cakes, mostly from scratch and love to carve the cake then decorate. I do not know how to make a frosting flower and a few others things that I hope that I learn. I made a cake for Jacob's birthday one year and now I cannot find the recipe.
We are all fine and bracing for a busy weekend, church function on Saturday, unusual soccer and roller hockey back to back on Sunday (very unusual). We are working on the upstairs toy room hoping to have it done before cold weather!

It's FALL

2008-10-02T09:12:00.000-05:00

Last night Jacob and I went to the my least favorite store in the world--Wal Mart. I would live a happy life if I never went to another Wal Mart again, but there is no where else to get stuff-although I rarly do grocery shop there I go to Hy Vee! Anyway we got some Halloween decoration to surprise Levi. We usually do not decorate for Halloween, we are never home and never have any trick or treaters...We alway go to Keri's and Jacob and John stay there and pass out candy, Keri and I take the kiddos to the local nursing home and on one street. They make more candy than they can carry we usually have to take an extra bag for candy overflow. So it is alway pretty fun, this year I think another family is going with us, partly because we will need 2 cars anyway, so we might as well spread the wealth. Jacob and I had the spiderweb spread out and the lights up as Levi was coming home from AWANAS he was surprised and so was R. They love it and all we have left is to put some spiders on the web.
Last weekend we were at my parents had a good time and we were able to make it to the U of I Homecoming parade-it was the first REAL parade that Levi's been to, it was FUN! Jacob had fire school and I left the kids with my parents and went shopping with E. It was really fun to just do whatever I want. We went to the city market and got some peppers that were art!
This week is the Levi's school's homecoming! Today was crazy hair day, I will try to get a picture and post it--Levi's hair is fun!
Soccer game this Sat and I work this Sat evening, it will be busy, but good!
take care,
Paula

PICTURES

2008-09-22T07:05:00.001-05:00

Just a quick note before you enjoy the pictures. Sunday when I watched Keri's kids went slendidly! There were only a few issues, mostly because of age differences J is almost 7 the boys are 5 so there are some play style differences and Julie feels like the only girl, she kind of is...and Levi has a power wheel GATOR, J likes to drive it, well, she is a bit of a woman driver and backed up, not watching where she was going and ran over her brother, G, up to his shoulder. G is 13 months, yeah he was alright, he's pretty tough, being the youngest of 4...
ENJOY, I tried to make the comments match the pictures...
ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FUTBOL??? Levi informed me he is not playing football-he's playing soccer...

The swarm... the black team is Levi's in this pictue are on the left L, in the middle R (Levi's best buddy), and then Levi on the right

Levi fell and his friend K was there to help him up! Great teamwork, later in the game Levi passed the ball to K and she scored!

Levi's glasses-not sure if you can see the lighter blue flames. Jacob is amazed at how unkidlike he looks with his glasses-he looks so much older...

These are my kiddos being kiddos...

What is with kids and verticle blind? In these pictures Levi was getting annoyed with me taking pictures, hence the poses...

These are at Jasmine's son A's birthday party...

I saved the best for last! I gave Benjamin his first haircut this weekend (Saturday afternoon). He was the second haircut I gave...

Levi got what he wanted and I was good with it, he's 5 and his hair goes so fast...Plus this is the first time he's wanted his hair to do anything but lay on his head.

Benjamin's hair is A LOT longer than Levi's I tease Jacob that I am going to keep the sides short and let his hair grow to his ears!

Here they are right after the cuts!

On the way to church, where I must admit the people th0ught they were cute. Later that day I had Keri's kids, I heard R saying he wanted a mohawk to look like Levi, Levi said "but this way they can tell us apart easier". Everyone gets Levi and R mixed up and if any of us adults are with them people will "how old are your twins" they are always so surprised when they find out they are just friends--no relation at all...

I am so lucky-but I am ranting and raving

2008-09-18T13:51:00.001-05:00

I have really gotten "hooked" on a blog- Freezerbuns. I must admit that her struggle and so many others struggle to get pregnant makes me feel very strange. I remember my miscarriage and then the "hard time" I had getting pregnant, but the emotions that D has gone through to get her twins is amazing. The determination that some people have to have children is amazing and I am in awe of them. I love my children, but honestly I'm not sure how I would have felt had Levi not come as kind of a surprise-I had resigned myself as a childless woman. I know that I have mentioned Amber in the past, but I see how much she wants a child, and just hasn't gotten pregnant. I have another friend, M, who has had several pregnancies and only 2 children, and one on the way, but she is SICK. I don't mean just a little bit of morning sickness I mean hyperemesis (yes, it's a medical diagnosis). M is nauseated all the time, unless she is puking. She takes medication to help her keep food and fluids down EVERY 90 minutes AROUND THE CLOCK. Yes, she sets an alarm clock so she wakes up to take her meds. I remember having to set my alarm clock to pump-that SUCKS. When M was pregnant with J (now 3) M was honestly green. She would puke so hard she would pee, then the soles of her feet would get burns because her urine was so concentrated. M had always wanted a big family, so she tried again after J even went on Clomid with no baby, now she is pregnant and unable to keep food down again. With this case in mind I think of all of those who cannot get pregnant and try so hard, how awful would it be to finally get pregnant and not feel good. Before Benj was born I didn't know that I didn't feel good, but WOW did I feel lousy. I hope those who are having trouble getting pregnant feel good while they are pregnant, otherwise what a double whammy. I know that Freezerbuns is really feeling big-my gosh she has twins! I hope she has a healthy delivery... and a healthy baby. My friend D exposed me to another blog about a little girl with CDH (congenital diaphragm hernia) and little baby Elli's struggle and how sad to see the end of her struggle. It could happen to anyone. When reading babygirlreed2be it really angered me, I got to hold Benjamin when he was a couple of days old (I love Overland Park Regional Medical Center's NICU), but Elli's parents did not get to hold her until her 19th day, just the hours before she died. She was at the same Childrens hospital that Keri's 3rd baby, K, was at- Keri did not get to hold K until discharge was in sight. It just seems dumb that we in the medical community would believe that these babies would do better with tubes and wires and not human contact? I mean seriously? There can not be that big of a difference between a preemie and a sick baby-touch is what it is all about.
I think that reading some of the infertile blogs made me appreciate my family, and how much compasion I have inside of me.

I think I have gone crazy

2008-09-18T13:51:00.000-05:00

Last night at soccer practice we (the soccer moms who all happen to be EMS widows-I mean wives also) were talking about Saturday's game-it is at 0900 and it is about an hour away. So much for sleeping in at all...anyway one of them Keri has to work and she was talking about her husband John getting all the kiddos ready that early-it is hard I'm sure-I'm not looking forward to it and I only have 2 not 4. Then the conversation turned to Sunday's training for the rescue team. Keri again has to work. I never watch her kiddos, not sure why-she always says the 6 is a long way from 2, but she watches my kids and doesn't mind saying that 6 is not far from 4. Anyway I know that finding someone to watch kids on Sundays must be hard and expensive! So I offered to watch all 4. I think it will be fun, I have some stuff to do and the big kids will help, the only thing that will be a challenge is managing the 3 little ones-Benjamin is not used to sharing my lap with anyone, but tolerates Levi, I will have to feed G, and K is always wanting to sit on my lap. Hopefully I will keep them all busy enough that it will go fine.
Levi got his glasses last night. I took pictures and I will post them when I can. He looks SMASHING in them. I still am not totally sure he needs them. The other day we were walking to the car and he saw a snail on the driveway. I could hardly see it. He claims he got close to see it. It looked like a rock-I'm not all together clueless. I guess he just needs them for close up. Last night Jacob went over how to open the case and put them on/take them off without touching the lenses. He also showed him how to clean them, put the cleaning cloth in Levi's backpack with a note to his teacher for her to help him for a while. I imagine soon the fun of glasses will subside and he will not want to wear them, then he will have to wear them...Oh, he even had me take a picture of his profile to show off the black flames. I'm not sure the pircture really shows the detail, but I will post it.

only 2

2008-09-15T11:54:00.000-05:00

Yesterday Jacob started a 48 hour shift, which usually means that I am worn out before the first night, but yesterday my friend Keri called and asked Levi to visit her son, Levi's best buddy R. So I was down to just on kiddo. Benjamin is so funny, he was sooo very tired, but was not going to stop moving until I had the laundry done. He has been such a bear lately he is cutting 2 molars! Oh yes, so fun, there is no amount of oral gel, ty*nol, ibu*profen to ease his tender gums, which results in gross poop and a tender butt. Yes, the fun of TWO. I got laundry done and he and I sat he napped and I watched TV, wow there was not much on...Then we went to Keri's for supper. She has FOUR children--6,5,3,1--all I can say is WOW. I sat and entertained Benjamin and the 3 year old and 1 year old. Her youngest probably weighs more than Benjamin and he is only one! But Benjamin is still cute and amazing. Yeah, I am so glad that I have only two. As I sat there being mulled by 3 kiddos I noticed that Keri was just cooking away, completely unbothered, she offered to have me over every night to entertain so she can cook. The diner was fabulous with good company, and good conversation!

HEY- FOUR EYES!

2008-09-11T15:40:00.000-05:00

Levi needs glasses. He is getting them as I write. The new requirement that all kids entering kindergarden must get their vision checked. I guess this is the reason.
As I understand it he had been complaining about his eyes hurting and that he could not see the board at school to his dad not to me, so I did not know that he was having any issues until Jacob told me. Levi has been requesting Tyl*nol almost every school night for a headache, I just figured he was tired-let's face it I was kind of right--his eyes were tired. Anyway I had to pick up my contacts and made him an eye appointment and helped him pick out some frames, just in case he really needed glasses it would make Jacob's life a little easier. I picked out 2 different pair-one cheap, on not so cheap-both cool, both blue, both square. I figured Jacob would guide Levi to the cheap ones--HE IS FIVE! Well, no such luck both Jacob and Levi liked the not so cheap ones they are Conv*rse, they are blue, they are square, and they have black flames on the sides (yes, that is the only difference between the two pair). Good thing open enrollment is coming up, I guess we will be signing up for family vision coverage!
I will probably be taking Benjamin to have his vision tested also we might as well get all of us in glasses! After all he's the one who had retinopathy!
When Levi gets his glasses (yeah, it will take a week, we live in hicksville) I will post pictures!

this morning

2008-09-05T15:12:00.000-05:00

I just remembered something that I wanted to post...As most of you know I'm not too sappy, nor do I think that every thing that my kiddos do is the cutest thing...BUT this morning (must have been early) Levi came in and went to sleep in my bed (Jacob was working and I slept through it), then Benjamin came in about 5:30AM. I got up at 6:30AM and left them sleeping. I had just gotten out of my shower and I hear Levi singing "Good morning to you, good morning to you, no need to be blue 'cause Levi loves you, he loves you". My heart swelled, that is the song I most generally sing (although I say Mommy loves you) to Levi to wake up-Benjamin only gets sung to occasionally, because he usually just wakes up. Levi sang that a couple of times after each verse I would hear Benjamin either laugh or say "vi" (pronounced vigh for Levi). I wished at that moment I had a video camera in my room that could have videoed that interaction. I would have loved to see the body language.
Wow, my little boy is growing up and will be in college soon, I better not blink...

on the chart

2008-09-05T08:30:00.000-05:00

Benjamin is on the charts, finally! He is on 33 inches tall that puts him in the 10-20 percentile for a "normal" (no adjusted age) 25 month old! His weight is still below the chart at 23 pounds! They had to weigh and measure him twice because he had such a big growth! He is still "needing" to potty every time he goes into the bathroom, some success. He tells us every time he poops in his diaper and he will go and get the diaper and wipes when he feels he needs to be changed. He thinks that is is the funest thing to watch Levi go to the bathroom, so at least he is interested. I've been through this before, so I'm really not overly excited and making plans to stop buying diapers. All the literature says he'll be a bit slow in that department, and since he seems to be meeting milestones earlier and earlier I suspect he'll be done sometime around 3, just like his brother...
Thought I'd keep you all updated.
Levi is loving kindergarten even with the nightly homework-imagine that homework...

just another day

2008-08-27T08:53:00.000-05:00

Well, my dad's surgery went well as I expected. It was a bit shorter than I was told...I went for a walk after the 1st hour of waiting. I was enjoying the time by myself looking around University of Iowa (from which I graduated) and noticing the changes. It was the first day of class for students. Wow how things have changed and stayed the same. The same ages of people, the same buildings, the same bars. Wow, they took out the fountain affectionately known as "3 women pissing"-wait I think they did that a long time ago... I so rarely get the chance to go to Iowa City and just look around, I have always loved when the students come back, the hussle and bussle-it's like Christmas time! One thing I noticed that even that really old student had on low rise jeans and a skin tight t-shirt with the back pack straps on BOTH shoulders. Wow, what a risky life I lead I only used one strap! I could tell that the night before had been a really GOOD night for 2 reasons-1) when I was walking in the ped mall by all of the "hot spots" (yes the same ones I frequented) my shoes stuck to the ground and 2) there were several people (mostly females) that were less than perfectly groomed for class-hair kind of up in a quick ponytail, in pajama looking attire-we've all wished we could literally get out of bed and go... They have poured new sidewalks and put in little quotes in the sidewalks, kind of neat, but I did not stop often, because the students would have run me over. I was at the old capital area when I got the call that dad was done, so I had to haul ass to the hospital to hear what the doc had to say. I did make it not horribly out of breath. The report was all thumbs up! As a matter of fact dad did great and went home on Wednesday (they had expected 4-5 days-knowing healthcare as I do I knew it would be 3-4 days).

It has taken me a while to do this post (so sorry) I've been busy.

My friend Jasmine's son A turned 4 and what a party. I think that she should pack her kiddos to CR every birthday!!! I saw some of my friends from High School and saw their children. It was fun!

The fair started last night and it had rained then stopped just in time for the parade, which they cancelled just as the sun was coming out. We went and looked around-big news there is a new carnival company providing rides, some new and good rides. I wanted to post that we walked by a frazzled mom pushing a 3-seater stroller, babies in each seat. I knew that they were triplets--THE triplets that everyone has talked about, since they have been born. I immediately thought of my cousin G and wife K (especially K) and resisted the "are they triplets?" or the "are they all yours?" or the "wow, you must be busy with three" all of the things that would point out the 3 baby show. Anyway I did not say anything, I even just glanced at them, but smiled at the mom, who smiled back. I thought that I must have been the only one not to say anything... Although this family has been in the paper and now has personalized plates--"3-babys" and "all 3", I mean that does draw a little attention to the whole triplet thing. She had worked at Wal Mart, which is kind of the "breakroom" of Bethany--if you want to know something just ask a Wal Mart associate. Anyway I'm sure that K is pleased that I did not stop to look and ooh and ahh over the babies. People still do that with Benjamin, although it is always "wow, he's gotten so big, to think he started so small". No one ever says that about me-I started out small and I can gain more than 20 pounds in 2 years!!!, but that is never a good thing. Twins, Triplets, and preemies are not freaks, not fun (at first), and not for everyone! I can only imagine the "ordeal" that people who have multiples go through.
I started with my CPAP. Yeah, not so much fun...I sleep ok, I guess, I don't snore at all, according to Jacob, but I really have not woke up feeling refreshed. I guess that will come...
I have got to quit, I will post pictures next week...

a little of this and a little of that

2008-08-22T14:49:00.001-05:00

After peach picking wow were they quiet! It did not take long after we dropped off Amber for it to be snozzville in the Element!

Fun in the sun! My work rents this HUGE slip n slide this is Levi going "down" it. Unfortunately he is not heavy enough to slide the whole way.

Benjamin LOVES Darci (the Recreational Therapist at work). He comes in wanting "Darci" he really does say it very clear. He spends a good part of the day with her and the department, I am so thankful that she really like him, otherwise bringing kiddos would be even harder.

Benjamin turned two and we did football, partly because I had this cool cake pan, and partly because he likes balls, and we did the round ball theme already when Levi was one. We had a good time everyone who is dear to Benjamin (except Darci) was there and he had a great time!

The first day of school! I so badly wanted Jacob to take Levi, but Levi wanted to take the bus (I am so thankful that he has a mind of his own).

We are off to CR this weekend, there was a time when we first lived in MO that I loved to go back, CR was still home. Now, I think that MO is home and most of my friends have moved away or lost touch. So it seems so hard to get geared up to go. At least this time Jasmine will be there and I will get to see her and her family, I really do wish she and I lived closer-even though she and I live just off of I-35...

Happy Birthday, YES to me!

2008-08-21T11:55:00.000-05:00

Today is my birthday, so I thought I'd put down some words. My birthday has always been very special to me. I usually start August 1st with my birthday month, then the week of my birthday is my birthday week, and a birthday weekend (depending on what day of the week my birthday falls on-I LOVE it when the 21st is on a Wednesday--you guessed it 2 birthday weekends). This is the first time I have actually worked as a professional on my birthday (I usually take the day off), but Jacob is working today at Liberty (yes he asked if I wanted him to take it off), Levi has school, and I thought my family of work friends deserved a little birthday joy. My big family birthday celebration was last night-Jacob made supper and got me a cake, gave me exactly what I wanted a Wii Fit. I had an appointment this morning and I had to go to Wal Mart (yeah the Wal Mart trip not so good and I was afraid that the rest of my day would go south-I mean really why would someone want to upset the birthday girl?) so I got to work around noon, wearing my super cool "BIRTHDAY GIRL" button that Jacob and kiddos got for me and with the attitude that I would have a good day! My boss and friend Amber took me out to lunch. I brought a peach swirl cake and my buds sang happy birthday, and got me flowers and a balloon. I love my Birthday!!!!!

This weekend I think that we are going to CR and visiting my parents and my friend Jasmine. Her big boy is having a birthday party so we are going to the party, then probably whatever my parents have planned for us. Then Jacob and the kiddos go home on Sunday I will stay my dad is having surgery on Monday. So I will stay Monday for that assuming he does well I will be home Monday night.

Here are some pictures Oh how we love Sadie! and Peaches! and Helping!

O h how cute am I?

Kids at work

2008-08-15T08:12:00.001-05:00

Benjamin is on my lap right now so if there are random keystrokes they are his way of communicating. Every Friday is inter gen era tional day at my work. Benjamin comes nearly every Friday and Lev i come s when he can (school). People (that I work with) think that it's an easy day and it's extra fun, but not really. I still have to do my work, and be a mom. HOWEVER that still does not stop be from bringing them. The residents LOVE them and have adopted them as their own. Today is the annual FUN IN THE SUN day where the whole afternoon is devoted to the sunshine. We do water balloons and rent a massive slip-n-slide. I will post a ton of pictures (including the ones I have been promising) later!

PEACHES

2008-08-11T08:10:00.000-05:00

It is peach season! We went peach picking on Aug 2-which was the hotest day of the year and got some, not many peaches and blackberries. They are really late this year. Since my children were so cute and helpful on Saturday we went with our friend Amber this Sunday also (8-10-08) and got LOTS of peaches and blackberries. Not too hot and the peaches were riper and juicey. I will post pictures next time.
Saturday Levi was so cute. He often does these "cheers" before bed. He usually stands at the top of the stairs and makes up something. Saturday night it was all about me. I'm not all that sappy, but this was so kind and amazing that I have to share. Levi's cheer went "Mom is the best! Mom is awesome! My heart beats for my MMMOOOOOMMMMM!" it was all sealed with a hug and a kiss. Levi has such a kind heart, wow he is amazing!
Saturday I took a lot of pictures of Benjamin, because he was so smiley and just CUTE, CUTE, CUTE!
I will post pictures later (probably tomorrow). Jacob has fire meeting tonight and I have LOTS of peaches to put up!!!

update

2008-08-05T08:47:00.000-05:00

I was so excited to see a comment from Benjamin and Levi's favorite NICU nurse, H on my last post. She moved to NH and we have lost contact. It is amazing to hear from her and read her blog. I cannot convey how much the special nurses (especially H) helped us through those 73 days. They became part of the family, and know far more about us and the situation, wow is all I can say. H used to let Levi take my milk to the freezer. He always loved to see her and we even visited her after Benjamin was out of the hospital.
On with new news...
We are dog sitting for Keri and family--they have a boy golden retriever puppy. It has been a long time since we had a puppy, and my kiddos have never had a puppy so they are really not used to the running, licking, and puppy biting and Benjamin is just about done with it. He says "no, Shaggy" very well and "stop it, Shaggy" is good too. Shaggy is a good dog and has not done anything wrong nor has he hurt the boys. Levi has become Sadie's (our dog) protector. Sadie is a girl Shaggy is like a teenaged boy. Sadie wants NO PART of that and lets Shaggy know, but boys will be boys and you can hardly blame Shaggy for trying-Sadie is a pretty good girl. Levi just keeps telling Shaggy "no, leave Sadie's butt alone-it's hers not yours". Sadie is so laid back and gentle, so not a puppy (she's 8). It is fun to have Shaggy, it is just different to have a puppy and a boy dog. Shaggy is so pretty...
We went peach, blackberry, and blueberry picking on Saturday. All are really late this year because of all the rain. I have a lot of peaches to put up, the blackberries and blueberries are already done. I have a lot of requests for pie, yes dad you will get a peach pie...

The ROOM

2008-08-04T10:24:00.001-05:00

Here are you see Levi and his friend R painting the first coat of white. BYE-BYE clouds! In life you must get some paint on your hands. Not worries he washes!
This is the "diamond plating" that I did on one wall. I could only do so much until the fumes of the spray paint got to me. I cannot believe people huff this for fun! The fire hose is the baseboards-Jacob's idea isn't it COOL! (BFD=Bethany Fire Department)

This is the ceiling. With real fire hose. We are getting more. The painting the hoses on did not work so good. I hate to paint ceilings!

Here is the "front" of the truck. I spray painted the blinds silver-only on one side. I plan to get a picture of the fieghtliner logo from the front of a real fire truck and put it on the "grill".
Here is the making of the head board cabinet. Both of the boys loved to play in them while waiting for installation.

Here are the finished bunk beds. Again we used fire hose. The "poles" are PVC pipe painted to look like the real thing. Gray sheets, we are waiting on Benjamin's fire quilt that will not match Levi's, but will be close. The yellow things at the bottom are air bottles from air packs. We also have retired airpacks and helmets. All we have left is moving in the rest of the furniture and putting on the quilts. They love to play, play, play in their room!

amazing

2008-08-01T14:07:00.000-05:00

I think that it was yeasterday morning or the morning before...Benjamin got out of his new big bottom bunk bed and came into our room. This was good and bad-it was time for me to get up and he was just wanting to snuggle and go back to sleep-the benefits of big bed life...So he started laying on Jacob's belly-Benjamin's head was on Jacob's belly, Benjamin had is hands behind his head and his ankles crossed, I laid there thinking " I should get up and go to work, but this is a picture I want to remember" (it was 5:30 AM I was not taking a real picture). After a bid of self guilting I got up and started to get ready for my day. When I got back to my room to get dressed Benjamin was laying on my side sleeping then he started laughing-I mean LAUGHING. I stopped at that moment and again wanted a mental picture and recording-what could he be dreaming about, it was a good dream!
The inside out firetruck room is DONE! I will post pictures probably next week. My kids LOVE the room and the bunk beds. Jacob did an amazing job!
We are now getting ready for school. I cannot believe that Levi will be in kindergarten. He had not been little long enough. We just finished vacation bible school and I was amazed at the 5 year olds interacted, how much they loved the science room, all saying that Discovery Room was the "funniest room in the whole world". I was their leader and will probably stay with the 5 year olds next year, something about the freedom to have fun...
Jacob has been working a lot-we had a 17 year old drown last Sunday. Jacob helped with the recovery until Wednesday when they finally were able to get him out. What a life we lead. This accident will lead to more and more responsibility for Jacob. Jacob is such a good role model, he has an amazing commitment to public service. Jacob will be leading a lot of training for water recovery and rescue. This is the second teenager our town as lost in July. The high school will have their work cut out for them this year.
Gosh, what a cheery note. We are all good and I promise some pictures next week!!!!!

WOW

2008-07-28T07:53:00.000-05:00

Well, the room is almost done and I will be posting pictures. Jacob did an AMAZING job on the bunk beds. Levi is EXCITED to say the least and patiently waiting for everything to be done so he can finally sleep on the top. Benjamin is really good at getting up and down off of his bed too. We have made them wait to get into the room until all of the painting is done, I think that I am done. I have decided to do a little bit less than I had planned because Jacob was able to get some really neat "retired" fire gear. We have really transformed this room I am a bit jealous-it is a room that will be fun for them to grow in-no white walls!!!
Vacation Bible School started for Levi last night, and Jacob had a rough call while he was working. Levi is old enough to know to listen when the pager goes off and he understands most of the time that when daddy has to leave someone is sick or hurt. Well this time it was a water recovery and some of the rescue team came and got our diving trailer, so Levi "needed" to know what was going on (I had endless questions about why did they get my trailer, was daddy hurt...). In the same time Benjamin had found Jacob's cell phone and was having a FIT that daddy had left the phone. Knowing that there was nothing to see and that Benjamin was way too stressed about the stupid phone, I went and gave a police officer Jacob's phone Benjamin was pleased. However during vacation bible school everyone was talking about the accident and Levi, I guess, said that you have to be careful around water, because someone drowned today, and my dad is trying to help him. It is the life we live. Levi is amazing that he seems to understand, because the next thing he said was, God was ready for him, I guess. Living in a small town everyone knew more than I did and what happened and who was there... they even were telling me things that were not true-the victim was 17 and several of the people at the church are teachers so cell phones were non stop during VBS. It is very sad and I can't imagine anything more horrible, unfortunately things like this happen and all you can do is pray that accidents will stop happening.
On with other stuff. I had a sleep study and I will be the proud owner of a CPAP machine, which, in therory, will keep me from snoring (and will keep me breathing) so Jacob and I both sleep better and I wake up refreshed and full of energy! I am a bit leary and not sure that I really want this machine, but if it will help me sleep and wake up refreshed then I will try.
Jacob is great and working hard to get everything ready in the house. He is pulling down all of the old ceiling in the dining room so it can be repaired, soon we will start with the toy room and get that done.
Benjamin is talking a lot and loves being in a big boy bed. He has really started to be a little boy instead of a baby. Levi calls him the "B Boy" and he calls himself the "L man". It is so amazing to hear them talk. Benjamin has started to call Levi "Buddy", which is great, he was trying to call him brother and I don't know why it just annoyed me-Benjamin will say "Vivi" for Levi on occasion.
It's another busy week for me at work, and with me helping with VBS I can't stay too late this week, hopefully the end of month stuff will go smoothly!

Times they are a changin'

2008-07-18T15:01:00.000-05:00

Wow, I haven't posted for such a while, and again I will promise pictures later! We have been undergoing a lot of changes.
1-My mother-in law M moved to Florida. So Grandma M, Grandpa M, Uncle T, and Uncle A are all gone. I guess I should explain for those of you who do not know--Jacob's dad died 30 years ago. His mom was young and re-married and had 3 sons D, M, and T, then several years later met M and had A. So Jacob has 4 1/2 brothers that are much younger than he is. They are not very good at staying in contact, which is hard for me, since my extended family always did keep in contact. D and M stayed in Iowa, they both have a child. So it is a bit odd to think that we won't be seeing Jacob's family much.
2-Benjamin is in a big bed. Jacob and I continue to work on the room and so now was a good time to switch him to to a twin. It has made me a bit sad, he is my baby and he is so small, but he does well in his new bed, which is currently on the floor in my bedroom.
3-Our dining room ceiling will be getting fixed soon! We have a dry waller and he will start soon.
4-Levi and Benjamin have both had some time away. Benjamin spent an extended weekend with my parents, when he came home, Levi left. I will be happy on Saturday to have everyone home. It has been so nice having just one, I thought I would have forgotten what it was like to just have one--I didn't it has been FABULOUS! Benjamin actually talks a lot. Levi is such a good helper. WOW I love my kiddos!

I am having a garage sale with my friend K tomorrow and I am not ready, but I will be!
Benjamin turns two soon and we are having a party-kind of... we have invited everyone that we would have invited to his birthday party to spend the weekend at Table Rock Lake. We have not been diving since our vacation and I need to get underwater again. I will be doing a cake and we are not expecting any gifts. If I have missed you let me know if you want to go... Jeff and Amber are going to learn to SCUBA (I hope)!
Well, I can't really think of anything else... I will try to get pictures next time...

what a holiday

2008-07-09T06:24:00.000-05:00

What a time! The 4th of July has never been one of my BIG holidays, as a matter of fact I really think of it more of a day off than a holiday. This year, however, Levi remembered the fireworks from last year and was EXCITED to do them. We bought some and started lighting them on July 2nd, then he wanted to save some for when his Grandma M came. We went to a friend's house and watched their display on the 4th. I discovered that the noise hurt Benjamin's ears-duh tubes! (yeah, a proud mom moment) Saturday was R's birthday party and we all went, then the city's fireworks Saturday night. Then both boys started running fevers and got sinus sick. It was so cold here in during the evenings and even not hot during the days. The 4th of July is supposed to be HOT weather not HOT CHOCOLATE weather. So they both went to the doctor on Monday...
We have started on their room, it is currently a wonderful nursery-walls painted like the sky. It will be transforming to an inside out firetruck! Jacob is making fire station like bunkbeds, I am painting the walls and ceiling to be like a fire truck. I am so excited, this will be such a fun project. I will post pictures.
The other day I was dusting my pictures and we have one of our dog, Sadie, and my parent's dog Tasha. Levi asked me for it, he then showed it to Benjamin and said "Benji, this is Tasha, Mimi and Papa's dog, we loved her so much, but she is dead now, you know Benji everything dies" It amazed me how matter of fact he was. With both of our jobs we tend to be very direct with the whole sickness and death thing. I know that when Levi actually gets to Mimi and Papa's and there is no Tasha, he will realize that she is really gone and pictures are all we have of her. He also said to me "you know mom, Tasha was never the same after she broke herself" (Tasha had broken her pelvis not long before she died). I told him that that is what happens and he wanted to make sure she went to heaven and daddy's daddy could play with her. What else do you say but I bet they are playing right now...
Benjamin has gotten really good at running, and he has peed on the big boy potty twice. Yes, I'm still buying diapers and I am not hopeful that that will stop for a while. He gets so excited when he sits there, and to flush the toilet, what a pleasure. Benjamin has become Levi's little protector. If you cross Levi soon Benjamin will be in to tell you all about it-and he gets his finger going and points and just gives you his opinion.

WORK

2008-07-02T11:07:00.000-05:00

Wow, it's a good thing that I enjoy vacationing so much, otherwise I would probably quit my job. It is not that I do not like my job, it's just that there are far too many people that are unhappy with life that take care of others. Mind you those nurses, CNAs, and everyone else do a wonderful job in taking care of their residents, but cannot seem to get a good mood at Wal Mart (so a good mood must not be necessary). The pressure of being an administrative nurse (that's what I am) is that your success and your failure has nothing to do with how you do your job, it all rests on those around you and how they do their job. I am incharge of education of the entire staff (200+). I cannot do this. I cannot do this alone, and I do not try. I realized a long time ago that everyone does not have the same take on things as I do, they don't think I'm right, and I know they are not right. I have learned and my friend Shelly has taught me that sometimes it takes people a while to figure stuff out and I need to just give them time. I have a lot of respect for Shelly-she is the BOSS of the entire nursing department (100++) and she WORKS all of the time (my perception). Shelly and I live 30 miles away and sometimes she gives me rides to work. Work for both of us goes very well when we ride together. She and I are very opposite, she is a small town girl, I am not (although I currently live and work in small towns). I love change, Shelly not so much. We took on a HUGE project and we accomplished it as best we could. We still have lots of work to do, but that was expected. If I had to choose a nurse friend to go and do it would be Shelly, the problem is that neither of us do that. It is very odd, we have both been bosses for so long we have really lost the ablity to have nurse friends that we work with. It just does not work to supervise and go to movies or chat with someone. The lines get blurry, and the preception gets bad, it is just not good practice. So Shelly and I are in an odd spot. We work together, but she does not supervise me, I don't supervise her, but both of our jobs depend on the success and failure of how we do our jobs. It took Shelly and I a long time to stop working against each other and start working with each other. Shelly makes my job easier, she does anything I ask of her AND she has the BALLS to stand up to me and tell me that I'm wrong. I take it from Shelly, but I also give it to her. I have the patience to teach her how to do stuff and help her in transition. I will not ever say that she and I do not ever get irate with the other. This morning Shelly was snappy, I took it personally. I did not leave her alone until I realized that it was not me. I forgot a meeting, she did not take it personally, but had to feild question for me. Shelly is one of the hardest working people I know. She works all the time. I will MAKE her go do something one of these days. Oh, another thing, for some of you that really have made it this far and are thinking, why do I care. Shelly cares. She has just started reading and noticed that I don't mention her. It is not because I do not cherish her, it's because when I started this blog I really thought it would be more about the kiddos, not me and honestly there are times my kiddos are not really what happenin' with me. Oh, Shelly is Aunt Shelly and Levi LOVES her, he will not leave my work without saying good-bye and giving her a hug and a kiss. She does consider him OURs, not mine...

I have to say a BIG HAPPY BIRTHDAY to R Levi's best friend turns 5 today!

I also want to ask everyone keep my friend Amber in their prayers, if that's your thing. I have never thought this about anyone, she needs a baby. I have never had a childless friend (or been one) that was willing to change diapers, hold a screaming kid, play beyond the point of tired, and be willing to eat kid food just to be kind.

Levi and Benjamin are good. They both have been pretty special and I think that in the evenings I need Lipo-suction to go to the bathroom, because both are on my hip so close. I have been working a lot, so I am reeping the benefits. I have started a little treat for them, we have been eating outside and they both LOVE it. Benjamin has started walking on his tip toes and thinks he a big deal because of it. I had forgotten how great Levi's 2 year old laugh was, now Benjamin has that same laugh, really is there anything better? I think that I should record it and listen to it when I need a pick me up. Levi has gotten so big and has really learned a lot in summer school. I cannot believe that he will be in school. Benjamin is now so big, wow he will be 2.
I'm getting sappy-Shelly should be proud!

more pictures

2008-06-26T22:19:00.000-05:00

Look really close the crab in Jacob's hand is in both of these pictures (actually there are 2 crabs in one piture. When I am less tired I will post some underwater pictures from our dives.

I have very few pictures of Benjamin on vacation on these disks so here are 2. These are both from Founders Park in Islamodora. The water was wonderful and not very deep!

Mainly Levi

2008-06-26T17:42:00.000-05:00

As promised here are some pictures of Levi with his vacation. On the boat with Key Dives. He's driving the boat. He's washing tanks. Child labor!!

Here with the divemaster getting ready to snorkle.

The Key Dives boat!

Here are Levi and Capt Scott!

A big THANK YOU goes out to Jasmine, who from MN helped me learn how to post pictures.

Ok, so I have no idea how to flip my dad over, but he got up early one morning and we did not have to leave as early as he thought, so he took a little nap.

I'll get more pictures later!!!

FAMILY

2008-06-24T08:41:00.000-05:00

I was not going to post today, but I saw that my cousin Gregory (yeah, he will never be a Greg to me) commented on my last post. It got me thinking...My dad's family are just as funny as their name. We all find some connection, but really do not see each other much and when we do see each other, it's like why do we not have a get together? My grandparents had only 3 children each is 6 1/2 years apart. My aunt Carla Jean, perhaps the nicest, quietest woman I knew died more than 10 years ago at 65ish, had 5 children who all had children. I have 2nd cousins older than I am. Jim (now James) had only one child Gregory (I think that I am the most drawn to him-he is the one I see the least, but probably have the most in common with), then the baby my dad, Jerry, who has this desire to pull everyone together and make everything good.
Gregory and I have an experience that few people in 1 family (especailly this small) share. We are both NICU parents, or should I say survivors. We both had children (me one, him two) that came too early and were too small and had to spend time with tubes and wires and alarms...We both had to take in a huge amount of bad news and deliver it to other people, who "just knew everything would be OK", when in reality things were not OK. I say very little about my NICU time to many, but I know that Kristina and Gregory know that know exactly what I am talking about. The journey is long and hard, the outcomes are never as you expect. I remember the exact day, January 11, 2007, that Benjamin had finally been home 74 days-he had been alive for 147 days (73 in the NICU) the relief...
Anyway, I think about family and the family of friends that we all have and find unable to live without and it is amazing the joy and concern that we have for all of them. Levi, out of the blue asked be what happened to the 2 babies in that place with the mountains. Of course, he is ready for another vacation so he wants to go see them...
always amazed by what we all think of...

lots of stuff

2008-06-23T09:08:00.000-05:00

Ahh to return from vacation is amazing, right.
I have been reflecting a lot this last weekend, just coming back from Islamoroda, FL and then going to Branson/Table Rock Lake for a seminar on end of life (fun, huh?). I realized that I have been to 2 of the most beatiful places in the US, totally for different reasons. The Keys are so wonderful the laid back attitude the water, the sun, the lack of bugs, and just everything. The Branson area the trees, the hills (I won't say mountains, because they are just hills), the fresh water, and the mid-west stuff.
I also realized the I did something with my family that few families do. I spent Father's day with 2 fabulous fathers-underwater no less. My dad is an amazing dad and even better Papa. My children LOVE him so much that it fun to watch them interact. My dad actually changes diapers on Benjamin! I think that this father's day was a bit sentimental for me because there are few things that my dad and I share--I mean activities/interests. I'm not a teacher-I'm a nurse, I'm not into golf-nor is my husband. I have a very different lifestyle because of Jacob's and my professions. That being said, my dad took on SCUBA diving in his 60's and my husband taught him. This has become a new part in my relationship with my dad. It is something that we do together that is a bit unique and something we both love. He never thought that he would love scuba diving the way I do-but I think he does. SCUBA is the only thing that my dad, husband, and I do just us. Levi will be added as soon as he can. The effort that my dad puts out to dive is so amazing and means so much, it was such an amazing experience to have my dad in the water for 3 trips on father's day. Father's day also was special for Levi. Levi got to snorkle in the ocean with his Papa and his mom. Levi also got to help captain the boat--THANKS TO KEY DIVES. I gave my husband the opportunity to do as many dives as possible even doing a night dive. What a father's day. What a vacation!
Vacation could be the best reason to work. This one was fabulous! We had a big group and the only thing that could have made it better is more people. The adults were a wonderful mix and none of us thought we had to do everything together. My mom and her friend K were wonderful to watch my children so that Jacob and I could go diving. I think that they had a great time just playing. Our friends D and B brought a good balance and were not bothered by Levi's constant questions about where their children, who stayed home, were and why they did not get to come. I wish that more kiddos would have come, but that is purely selfish because I like all of my kid's friends parents...
I was only in the office 1/2 day before I went to an end of life conference in Branson. Wow, what a topic, but it does make me think about how greatful I am for what I have and my instinct on keeping an open mind about teaching my children. Both Levi and Benjamin come to work with me and have known and liked one of the residents that have died. Levi knows that it happens, Benjamin will learn. It is amazing how important it is to love life, but also to know that all things change. It really takes me back to when Benjamin was born and how little he was and how everyone thought it was amazing that he survived, but babies come into the world everyday like that, sometimes two at a time and sicker. No one ever can deny that moments like that are life changing, and this seminar reminded me that there are moments like that at the end also and it is all important. Wow, what a downer. As I said I have been really sentimental.
I will try to figure out how to post pictures and get some of the vacation on my next post...

we are ready

2008-06-10T14:35:00.000-05:00

We leave for vacation soon and I doubt that I will write before we leave, so I thought I would write something now.
First our house will be getting a new ceiling in the kitchen, a new floor in the upstairs bathroom and a deep clean of all the carpets in the dining room, living room, stairs, and upstairs hallway. I cannot believe how lucky we are!
Levi has been going to summer school-not the kind that Jacob remembers...the kids do learning by play (my words not theirs) and they get PAID $100.00 for perfect attendance-which Levi will not get, since he will be missing to go on vacation. The can also win a Wii. Levi won a ball and bat (just what we needed) one day, and now he thinks that bat and ball are the coolest thing in the world. Tee ball is going good one little boy had to quit. He is amazing.
Benjamin is just as cute as ever. He is a mover and a shaker and sassy as all get out. He is officailly acting his age!
take care, Paula

what a day

2008-06-04T11:54:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, Jacob called me at work-a hot water line in our upstairs bathroom burst. WHAT A MESS! Lucky for us that not only was he home (if he had been working we would not have known for 12+ hours) but the bus was late (otherwise we would not have known for 4 hours). We now have 2 HUGE dehumidifiers (one in the kitchen and one in the shower) and a total of 5 BIG carpet drying fans (3 in our kitchen and 2 in our upstairs bathroom). Benjamin is REALLY scared of the fans-he won't even go in the bathroom and really does not want to be in the kitchen. They tore down our ceiling in our kitchen and dining room. They pulled up the carpet in the dining and in the upstairs hallway and put a fan in there so the carpet waves (yet two more places niether of my children will go). Even as I sit here thinking about how HORRIBLE it is and how LOUD it is (no we are not supposed to turn ANYTHING off even to sleep) I am still very greatful about how little damage. I think the only things that got damaged were some toilet paper and girly stuff, and the ceiling that needed re-done anyway.
Levi had a tee ball game last night-he is starting to hit like his MOM! He got to play catcher again-which makes him very happy. We also had tee ball pictures. Levi is so amazing, he just continually goes with the flow!
Benjamin was a poop last night. His (well, both of their) favorite daycare provider was there. When he saw her, it was like mom who? Then he did not want to leave with me, which was alarming, because I was okay with it. Not that I do not ADORE him, but sometimes he is so attached to me that I cannot do anything without him. Last night was the first time I got to watch Levi play.
The hazards of being a MOM! I leave soon on vacation-I can not wait...

Friends

2008-06-03T07:15:00.000-05:00

It is amazing how much I value my friends. I have 3 really good friends-you know the kind that it doesn't matter if you are in a good mood or not they love you anyway. One Jasmine lives so far away that I NEVER see her and we mainly keep in contact with each other through email and her blog- Ludwig Pumkin Wumpkins. One Amber I work with, however she lives about an hour from my (we both live about 30 minutes from work in opposite directions)- her blog is The misadventures of Frank and Boris. The other is Keri, who lives where I live her husband and my husband work together-she is my MOM friend and is amazing. Keri has 4 kiddos 6, 4, 3, and 9 mos, just finished getting her ADN-waiting for her board letter. Her 4 year old R and Levi are only 2 months apart. All of these ladies keep me hopeful that somewhere in my MOM life I still have a bit of PAULA still in there. I think that I have been thinking about this because I have been reviewing my Sex and the City DVDs-I have the whole series and I can not wait to go to the movie. I have to wait until Levi goes to bed to watch so I have been up late and then up early to go to work. Not sure why I am add this to this blog I just am rambling.
Levi has been doing the tee ball thing. He really likes to be the catcher which is actually the busiest spot in tee ball. He gets to put the ball on the tee and since they let everyone hit and the last batter ALWAYS gets to run all the bases he usually gets to tag them out and "make" the last "out" every inning!
Amber's husband Jeff gave Levi a BUNCH of water guns on Saturday, so Sunday we go the slip and slid and the water guns out and PLAYED! Levi was shooting me as he ran and slid down the slip & slide. Benjamin (Spiderman) was even shooting me and would walk down the slip & slide. It was so fun to watch them. Jacob was at work, keep the world safe from fire and saving lives, so it was just the three of us. It is so fun now that Benjamin is up and around and ready to play. I think that my favorite time is around 2 y/o.
Benjamin has started to climb and show his personality more and more. His language is exploding. As I write I am trying to think about the "new" things that he does, there are so many that I can't think of any-except we have a chair (one of those that are tall and have the steps that are stored under them-my grandma H had one in her kitchen too-I remember sitting on it while she cooked) in our kitchen (by our stove) it is there so that I can reach stuff in our cabinets. Anyway he now climbs up on it while we are cooking and says "hot" and blows on the stove. He does not touch the stove and we do not use the burner that he could touch (well, I did once before I knew he could get up there-imagine my surprise).
I am so greatful for my friends and family, they all together make any of the bad times good!

explanation

2008-05-27T09:07:00.000-05:00

Okay, I think that I forgot something in my first blog. I will explain the name of my blog. When I was pregnant with Benjamin, Levi really wanted a sister named PINK. When we found out that PINK was a boy he named him SPIDERMAN with a ROPE. Levi even told Benjamin's neonatologists that his brother's name was SPIDERMAN with a ROPE. I just loved that Levi's imagination went wild and he named his brother after his (at that time) favorite hero! SPIDERMAN still fits Benjamin he is always climbing and believes he is rescuing everyone.
Levi has lost his first tooth-well he knocked it out and I was so surprised when a new tooth was already pushing its way through.

my first time

2008-05-23T10:46:00.000-05:00

I've been reading my cousin's blogs for a while (Third Floor Home and That Tree is Far Away) they had mono twin, then my friend started blogging (ludwigpumpkinwumpkins) so I thought that this may be a good way to keep some people up on what's going on with me and a good outlet for me. I may not be very good at keeping things updated, but I will do my best. For those of you who don't know Levi is 5 now (I will post pictures sometime) and Benjuam in almost 2. He has come so far from that little poop he was when he was born. He has FINALLY reached 23 pounds and is finally in 18 month clothes!!!
Next thought-yes I have ramdon thoughts I am not sure about using names so I will probably use first names, oh and the name of my blog is pretty easy-Levi (duh) and Spiderman is what Levi called Benjamin before he was born and most of the time he was in the NICU. Benjamin was 12 weeks early and he was very small (and still is).
Once I get the hang of this I will not ramble as much (I hope)
Paula