Wednesday, October 19, 2011

U S A

U S A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . that was the text Brian sent me on Monday afternoon at 3:00.  Three little letters that mean so much to our country, but held even more meaning to me on Monday afternoon.  My husband was closer to home.  He was in the safety of our "land of the free."

Brian is currently going through the demobilization process in Camp Atterbury, Indiana.  He will return to Kansas this weekend.  Ainsley, Brogan and I, along with our extended family and friends are excited to welcome him home on Sunday!!!  Look for some awesome pictures coming to a blog near you next week!!


Sunday, October 16, 2011

Almost Here

Well, Brian is almost here, which means, WE are almost there . . . . to the end.  As I look back on the last year, I can't help but smile through tears.  It has been a busy, crazy, scary and exciting ride.  We've had a lot of great experiences through this along with many sleepless nights and long days that felt never ending.  We've been reacquainted with old friends and met some new ones during this second deployment. There have been days that I've looked back on the year and thought, "Wow, its actually went pretty fast" and then there have been times it has felt like this deployment was 10 years long with no end in sight.

It has been a challenging year for me.  Not just from the deployed wife with two small children standpoint, but also dealing with illness after illness and not one, but THREE broken arms!!  I've put more miles on my van between Quinter and Oakley than I ever thought possible.  It was a challenging year for me at school too last year.  I was definitely ready for summer break and for an R&R visit from my hubby!

As I sit here on this quiet Sunday morning, drinking my warm cup of coffee and listening to the kids play in the garage, I have to smile . . . . . . next week . . . at this time . . . I'll be back in the passenger's seat!  Brian will be home!!

Sunday, September 11, 2011

9/11: Ten Years Later

Today, I spent my day remembering the lives that were lost on September 11, 2001.  I felt myself drawn to the memorial services this morning and news footage of the attacks this afternoon.  Tonight, I was drawn once again to watch an update to the stories behind the photos we all have seared into our memory.  We were celebrating my nephew, Jatin's 4th birthday today, so I was surrounded by my family all day.  Throughout the day we shared our own memories about where we were when the towers were hit. I can remember my husband, sitting by the tv all night long, watching . . . just, watching.

Today, as I watched the stories of lives that were changed from that day forward, I thought about all of our lives and how we, as a nation, have changed since September 11.  I knew that on that day, my life would be changed.  Brian and I had been married just one week shy of a year.  Brian had been in the KSARNG for almost 8 years and he was a soldier that took his job with pride and seriousness.  Something that I admired then and still do now.

Ten years after the initial attacks against the United States of America, the death toll is still rising.  Tens of thousands of soldiers have been deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan to continue defending the freedom that each of us deserve, yet don't always appreciate.  Many of those soldiers have made the ultimate sacrifice and have  come home with flags draped and medals polished.  Let us take this September 11 to remember those soldiers who have fought and given their lives because of the threat of terrorism.


Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Brogan's First Day of Preschool!!

Brogan woke up so excited this morning, he finally got to go to school like Sissy.  He was excited to have Papa take him to school, meet Mrs. Weiser, and ride the bus home to Nana's.  He had his book bag ready and put on his new Buzz Lightyear shoes.  I took the morning off so I could take him to school.  We took pictures at outside the house and then went over to Nana and Papa's so Nana could see him before he came home a big boy!!

As we pulled up to the school, Brogan came barreling out of the van and was very excited to go inside.  As he walked the long sidewalk to the front door, it was almost as if he was growing up with every step.  Once inside the front doors and Brogan stayed right beside me as we walked the long hallway to the preschool room.  I think the quiet, long hallway was bigger than he expected.  It was kind of fun to walk him down the same hallway that I had walked when I was in grade school.  So much seemed the same, yet so much had changed since I had walked that long hallway in my childhood.  I hoped that Brogan would make wonderful memories just as I had so many years ago.

We reached Mrs. Weiser's classroom at the end of the hallway.  Brogan was pretty excited once we went through the door and he was greeted by Mrs. Weiser's smiling face.  He seen a couple friends and was ready to stay.  I had to go find him in the classroom to give him good-bye kisses.   - - --  -Wow!!  It seems as though I just blinked and my little Brogan went from a baby cradled in my arms to an energetic preschooler.


Sunday, August 28, 2011

Bob the Builder - Hard at Work

Brogan's new favorite toy is this 6 ft. 2X4 piece of wood.  He pulled it out of the wood pile on the side of the garage.  It's warped and weathered, but HE LOVES IT!!  Every night he gets his 2X4 out and decides what he's going to build with it for the night.  On some nights it's a ramp for his cars, other nights it's a climbing board to get into the tree, and then some nights he just packs it all around the yard as if he's a carpenter who has lost his plans.

The creativity and imagination of young minds . . . . . I wish they would stay open-minded forever!  Their dreams would always come true, they wouldn't know any differently.






Thursday, August 25, 2011

Ainsley's First Day of School

I can't believe our little girl is a third grader this year!!!  It seems like yesterday she was in Miss Jenny's preschool with Kinley and Kaylee.  Now she's growing into a beautiful girl who is a great reader and likes to socialize!

Ainsley was really excited to get Mrs. Slack for third grade!  I can't wait to see all the new things she learns in class this year.   It's going to be a great year - - - I just know it!!




Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Fallen Pilot's 10-year-old son.

Please help us show this little boy and his family that his Daddy is a hero!!  Hays VFW Post 9076 is organizing a tribute to fallen hero Chief Warrant Officer-2 Bryan Nichols.  Our fallen soldier will arrive in hays this weekend.  We would like to line the route from the Hays airport to the mortuary with people waving American flags.  We will have more details as they become available.  Please forward this to everyone to help spread the word!! 






Sunday, August 7, 2011

Lasik!!

I started wearing glasses in third grade, contacts in fifth grade and rigid GP contacts when I was a sophomore in high school. My glasses are so thick that even when I pay the extra $$ for the lab to make the lens thin, they still look like coke bottle glasses!! In the last 2 years I have been having a lot of issues with my contacts staying comfortable and keeping my prescription. Since March of this year I have went through 3 different pairs of contacts, each a different brand & prescription, trying to find one that stay comfortable and "seeable" in my eyes after 15 minutes.

I had no intentions of ever doing lasik because when I had spoke to my doctor about it several years ago, he said they could not correct my eyes completely and I will still have to wear contacts/glasses. My husband has actually been wanting lasik for a couple of years and I kept telling him that I didn't know how safe it actually was. So I was very surprised when my doctor suggested it and I excitedly asked for more information.

Because I had been wearing rigid GP contacts for 15 years, I had to be out of my contacts for 6 weeks so that my eyes could go back to their original shape. I normally HATE wearing my glasses, but I didn't really even complain about wearing them because I knew the goal in the end was to be rid of both glasses and contacts.

I started with an appointment at my regular optometrist for a pre-op visit to measure all aspects of my eye and to get a current prescription. Then, on Thursday, we went to Dishler Lasik in Denver to have surgery!!  I was a little nervous, but I was also very excited!!  The appointment started with the regular eye screenings just like at my normal eye appointments.  Next, they place plugs in the bottom tear duct of each eye.  This is pain-free!  At first it felt like I had an eyelash in the corner of my eye, so they pushed the plug in a little farther and I the discomfort was gone.  Then, I was taken to the nurse who gave me 2 nice pills to help me relax!  She went over the eye drops, sunglasses, and sleeping goggles that I would need for the next couple of weeks.  

Finally, I was escorted to the surgical suite!  Now, as most of you know, I've had my fair share of surgeries in the last 8 years (6 to be exact), and I've never had them call it a suite!!  But after going to the suite - this was a suite!!  You walk in to a small room where an Elton John concert is playing on the flat-screen and 3 over-sized, leather recliners are waiting.  Immediately the nurse put my foot rest up and reclined my head a little before placing about 3 different kinds of drops into each eye.  I was also asked to don  beautiful :) surgical bonnet and booties!  The nurses and Dr. Dishler were all very kind and and comforting and answered any questions.  From my recliner I could see another young woman who had just finished her lasik sitting in a recliner in the recovery area.  I can tell you that normally I would be ready to vomit right about now waiting for my turn, but I was very, very relaxed and calm.  The gal to the left of me was taken back and about 10 minutes later, I seen her in the recovery recliner.  It was so neat to see her - without glasses - and I smiled at her and she shot back a huge smile because she could see me - several feet away!  I got so excited right then!!  I couldn't hardly wait for my turn to be able to see a stranger's smile several feet away!

Well, it was finally my turn!!  The nurse brought me back to the laser room and had me lay down on a surgical table - and a very comfy one I might add!  The table was rotated under the first laser.  This laser was going to cut corneal flap.  Dr. Dishler gently inserted this "tong-like" contraption to hold my eye open.  I was then asked to stare at a group of white lights and a green light.  After about 15 seconds, Dr. Dishler moved on to the left eye and did the same thing.  During this process, the nurses only job in the room was to hold my hand and talk me through the process.  I was fully awake, but could feel nothing!  Not even pressure on my eyes.  My bed was now rotated to another laser.  This second laser was the one that would actually do the reshaping of my cornea.  Again, I was asked to stare at a group of red, fuzzy lights.  There was a faint, burning smell as the laser went to work on my cornea.  As soon as the laser was finished, Dr. Dishler put the cornea flap back in place.  I was concerned with being jumpy when instruments were coming at my eye, but like I explained to Kayla, it was like looking through binoculars and someone was doing something to the lens at the far end.  The only thing I felt was when Dr. Dishler took the cool, wet paint sponge to smooth down the flap.  And is all I felt was a very wet and cool sensation on my eye.  Once everything was back in place, he removed the contraption to hold my eyelids apart and placed them on the left eye to begin the left eye.

After both eyes were done, I was taken into the post-op room where Dr. Dishler looked at my eyes through a microscope to make sure they looked good.  After the clean bill of health, I was put in another recliner with my sunglasses and given some blue gatorade to sip on.  Not even thinking about it, I looked at the clock on the opposite wall when the nurse was putting the eye drops in my eyes.  I was amazed!  I COULD SEE THE CLOCK!!  I'm sure I was sitting in the recliner, resting my eyes and just smiling!  I couldn't wait to get back to the waiting room to tell Mom and Dad!  After about 10 minutes, I was escorted back to the waiting room so that Mom and Dad could take me back to the hotel for my prescribed 2-hour nap!  All smiles - they asked, "Well, how was it?"  Awesome!  I said.  It didn't even hurt - a flu shot hurts worse than this did!!

My vision was foggy the rest of the day and I had to wear my sunglasses or goggles continuously, but I had absolutely no pain or discomfort.  I set the timer on my alarm for all of my eyedrops.  I felt like Dad with my timer going off every hour.  The next morning I had a recheck at Dishler with one of the optometrist.  My eyes were already both at 20/20!!  I was so excited!

As the day went on, my eyes got tired very easy and looked tired, but I just rested them when I could.  Today, I woke up and most of the fogginess is gone.  My eyes don't feel quite as tired as they did yesterday, but after writing this long post, they are ready for a break from the computer.  So, to anyone who is afraid or nervous about Lasik, or wants a good recommendation for a lasik surgeon, let me know!  I would be happy to tell you all about it and I would definitely recommend Dishler!!

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Happy Birthday to my sweetness!  I love you more than anything.  I know it's your first day back to work and things are starting to get busy, so hopefully you find a little bit of time to enjoy and have fun!!

Love you!!!

You may help us wish Brian a Happy Birthday by going to Happy Birthday Wishes for BRIAN or clicking COMMENT on the second video.  You can either type your comment or, if you have a mic, you can record a message for Brian!  I can't wait to see everyone's wishes!!  If you can't get it to work, give me a call and I will help you - 672-7536







Sunday, July 24, 2011

Missing him

I've been in quite the slump the last week, really missing Brian and all that he is to me.  I'm missing my partner, my lover and my best friend.  Brian has been out of Skype range for over a week and a half, not good timing for me missing him.

I've always known that we have that "special" relationship that most people wish for.  Although we've been separated a lot in our almost-11 years of marriage, when he's home, we do pretty much everything together!  We are always sharing our wishes, dreams, failures and obstacles with one another.  It's been hard this week not being able to talk to him about my obstacles.  I haven't been able to share things and for him to be able to listen and give the advise and pep-talk I need.  One truly is a lonely number!  Especially after the kids are in bed and you are having a hard week.  I need my other 1/2.

We've had a busy week at home with me baby-sitting during the day, our local fair in the evenings, and a family wedding this weekend.  All of which, we did without Brian of course.  It's so hard going to different things without Brian.  I always feel like the third wheel, no matter who the company is. -  Ainsley is even starting to feel that way.  She will say things like - it's just not as fun without Daddy is it?  Nope little girl, it's not.  It's so hard to see that others are quick to move on and "get used" to Brian being gone when it's not a part of their every breath.  It hurts and it's scary all at the same time to see how quickly life goes back to normal for some.

Well, enough complaining.  Brian should be back in Skype range in the next day or so - I can hardly wait!!




Friday, July 22, 2011

For Patty :)

This post is for my great friend Patty :) I took your advise Patty and changed the font size -
I hope it's much easier to read now!!





Thursday, July 21, 2011

New Template ~ DESIGNED BY ME!!!

I did it!!  I designed the new template for our blog!!  A couple of weeks ago I designed the template for my teaching blog from the Land of Aha-Z.  It took me almost 2 weeks to figure all the coding, but tonight it only took me about 2 hours from start to finish to do this blog.  I think I may have found myself a new hobby ~ designing templates for others!!  Let me know what you think of the new design.

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Button Added

Wow!!  Summer has been pretty busy in our house as I am sure it has been in yours!!  I have not been updating the blog like I know I should be.  Brian started complaining because he likes to see the blog, so I decided I needed to get back on the blogging wagon.


I have added a "Subscribe by Email" button to the right side of the blog.  If you sign-up, you will get an automatic email each time I post something new.  I don't always email everyone when I make posts so this will let you know as soon as I update the blog.


I've also been playing with creating my own blogger designs, so check back in the near future to see my tech-geeky side come out!  It's been really fun to learn about the "technical side".  It's my secret life!!  LOL


Have a wonderful week!  We're heading to the fair this week!  I'm really wishing for a cool front to hit!

Monday, July 18, 2011

Communication . . .Lost

I have been so fortunate, during this deployment, to get to talk to Brian either by video skype, email, phone, text, or Facebook on a daily basis.  At first, I didn't take any of those conversations for granted.  I would devote my time to our conversation.  I knew these were precious conversations and ones that I needed to help me get through the first few months of deployment.  When Brian flew into Kuwait on December 1, I was prepared (or told myself to be prepared) that we would not hear from him for about a week.  I remember just falling to pieces on my drive to work the first morning after he arrived "in sand" when he called me to tell me he had made the trip.  I was so excited to him from him.  Neither of us knew at the time when our next conversation would be, so we prepared ourselves as best as we could.

Our first deployment was not so far in the past for me to forget how precious this daily communication was. I can remember talking by phone or email maybe  every 2-3 weeks, and often times those were only a 5-10 minute conversation because the lines would go dead unexpectedly.  I believe we only video chatted twice in that year.  It was so hard!!  Technology has been completely awesome during this deployment!! It is a tool that is almost as important as their kevlar!!

But, our communication has started to get pretty scattered.  We haven't been able to video skype because the internet connection has not been able to handle it.  The other night, when the kids were trying to talk to him, they kept losing the connection.  Brogan kept telling me, "Mommy, quit pushing O-F-F!  Call him back!"  He couldnt' understand that Mommy wasn't pushing the off button.  Now, our communication has stopped for awhile.  Brian is out on his first mission for the next 10 days or so.  Ugh!!  I was REALLY liking him not leaving post.  I know he is much happier out on his mission, but this wife doesn't like it . . one . . bit!!

Saturday, June 11, 2011

Rock Haven . . . . . Need I Say More?

Brian and I have been busy playing and doing things with the kids, working on a year's worth of projects, and visiting with those who stop by or call us over.  But, the last 2 days was time for US!!  My great friend, Ashlee, got us reservations for a couples package at Rock Haven Spa .  Brian was a little worried about getting feminized, but Ashlee assured us that he would love it.

We had an amazing 3 hours of pampering!  It was such a wonderful, romantic "date" for both of us!  I would highly recommend Rock Haven to all couples!!

Thanks again to Jake, Ashlee, Lewis, Mac and 'lil Levi for this wonderful gift!!  Your friendship this year will always hold a special place in my heart.

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Smiles and Comfort Found in a Laundry Basket

Who would have thought that you could find happiness in a laundry basket?  Today, I found my bliss while sitting on the couch folding laundry.  The kids were busy showing Daddy our entire household inventory, I think they forgot that he has lived here before - LOL.  At the same time, Brian was busy going through things in the house and making sure everything was still working the way it should be.  I was doing the usual, folding laundry.  I was about half-way through the basket when I seen a couple pairs of long, white tube socks lying there waiting to be put with their mate, and I felt BLISS!!  I know, it seems weird, but I've missed being able to do some of the most mundane things like - fold Brian's socks!  When I seen those socks lying inside the laundry basket it just felt so right and comfortable to be doing his laundry. . . . . . he's home!!

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

10 DAYS, 10 BLESSINGS . . . . DAY 8

Blessing 8 ~ Ainsley & Brogan!  Ainsley and Brogan help keep everything in perspective during our deployment. 

I remember during Brian's first deployment a local waitress asked me how I could have a smile on my face and be ready to face the world.  She said that if she were in my shoes she would just be laying in bed crying and worrying. I had a one year old ready to face the world each morning.  There was no way I could lay in bed, cry and feel sorry for myself.  I owed it to my daughter to be the best mommy she needed while her daddy was gone.

This deployment is no different.  Although we continuously have them in mind when each time we re-enlist, they are not old enough to be asked the question, "Should we re-enlist for another xx years?"  Ainsley and Brogan have their little safety net completly ripped open for a bit while Brian is away.  I try to med the net back together as best as I can, but I know that the netting is much stronger when Brian and I work together to raise our children.

Our children have handled this deployment so well!  They both make us proud!  I knew that Brogan wouldn't understand the whole logistics of deployment, but I was also worried about him not being able to understand that Daddy will be gone for a LONG time and not being real good with communicating to Brian when he called or skyped.  However, Brogan has done well.  He knows the sound of skype when it comes on my computer and is very good about taking control of the conversation and pushing everyone else out of the way.  I knew he was old enough not to forget who Brian was, but I have the fear that he may ignore his Daddy when Brian comes home. 

Now Ainsley, I know won't be ignoring her daddy!  She is a Daddy's girl through and through!!  This deployment has been very hard on Ainsley, but she has held her head high and has coped pretty well on the outside.  There are still nights that she breaks down at bedtime and cries that she misses Daddy or gets upset when she finds out that Brogan got to skype Daddy while she was in school.  She is so excited to have Daddy home!  I know she will be running to jump back into her daddy's arms as soon as she seems him walking through the terminal.   . . . . I just looked at the picture on our wall from Brian's first R&R when Ainsley was just 2 years old!  She seen her Daddy and nearly knocked 2 old ladies over as she went running to him.  As soon as he scooped her up, their eyes locked and you can just see the excitement and love beaming in their eyes and smiles!  The quote "Life is not measured by the the number of breaths you take, but by the moments that take your breath away" is a perfect caption for that photograph and I can't wait to have another moment that takes our breath away!!

10 DAYS, 10 BLESSINGS . . . . DAY 7

Blessing 7 ~ Our Faith!  This deployment has been successful because of my faith.  At the beginning of the deployment, even before Brian left for the sand, I was having lots of anxiety and horrible nightmares.  I know I shared these with a few of you.  My nightmares were very vivid, realistic and becoming more frequent.  It was very hard to concentrate on anything life handed me, because I was so uptight over the unknown.  After Christmas I finally decided to let go of my anxiety and hand it over to someone else.  Him.  I made the conscience decision to live without worry and fret.  I still continue to pray for Brian's safe return and to keep the kids and I safe and healthy while waiting for his return, but for now, I'm living with the belief that no matter how much worrying I do, our life story has already been written.  My nightmares have ceased, they are no more, and I'm thankful for that.  I can live in peace. 

Our faith in one another and our marriage has also been a huge blessing.  If Brian and I were to walk into a marriage counselor and write down all of the so-called "life changing moments" in the last 5 years of our marriage - I think the counselor would laugh and tell us the name of the nearest divorce lawyer.  But instead of these life changing moments tearing us apart, we have grown stronger and more bonded in one another.  I'm not going to lie and tell you that it has always been a bed of rose petals, but instead it has sometimes been a bed of roses and those thorns have hurt like hell.  But through it all we have believed in our marriage and have done more than just "make our marriage work."  We have made our marriage a way of life and neither of us want to live without it.  We hold each other and ourselves to very high standards in our marriage and the value of it.  We plan to be in this for the long run.  I want to be like my great-grandparents and celebrate our 65+ years of marriage while being surrounded by family and friends.  And this deployment has been a blessing to make this marriage one strong step closer to reaching our golden anniversary in the year 2050!! 

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

10 DAYS, 10 BLESSINGS . . . . DAY 6

Blessing 6 ~ My friends.  I have some wonderful friends that have helped me survive this deployment.  Many of you have been there to help me up when I've needed it.  Some of us have shed a few tears together and talked for hours about the struggles we are facing when the one we love is out of reach.  Some of us catch a few minutes here and there to see how life is going or check on one another when we know the other needs it.  Although I may not always be able to pick up the phone and chat regularly or always make it to a girl's night out, I do value our friendship.  Hopefully when things begin to slow down in my life, I can be a more active participant in our friendship.  Until then, thank you for taking this little ride with me and not getting to annoyed by my lack of participation.  I know my true friends, because they know, I would never do it on purpose - - I just tend to be very forgetful and easily distracted. :)

Monday, May 23, 2011

10 DAYS, 10 BLESSINGS . . . . DAY 5

Blessing 5 ~ My blessing today is the Oakley Christian Church Vacation Bible School!!  Every night this week the kids will spend 2 1/2 hours having fun, making crafts and learning God's word with friends!!  Ainsley loves their VBS and I can see why.  They are so energetic and welcoming to everyone.  Not only am I excited that the kids get to participate in VBS again this year, but it's also 2 1/2 hours that I can get some things done at home.  It's 2 1/2 hours where I can watch a movie with no interruptions, pay the bills, chat with a friend, or get the last 3 loads of laundry folded and put away.  Basically, it is 2 1/2 hours of pure bliss!! 

I also would like to thank the Oakley Christian Church bible club for their support this summer.  As soon as they found out Brian was deployed, they asked the children to write letters to Brian and his fellow soldiers.  Brian was too busy to be able to write a letter back, so I asked the children's minister, Linda and the Youth minister, Jason if Brian could skype the kids during bible club.  They happily agreed.  Brian showed the kids some videos of sandstorms, pictures from his deployment now and back in 04-05, then he allowed them to ask him questions.  He said they did really good with their questions.  Thank you OCC for supporting our family, letting Ainsley join you each Wednesday, and more.

Sunday, May 22, 2011

10 DAYS, 10 BLESSINGS . . . . DAY 4

Blessing 4 ~  I couldn't go through this deployment without the doctors, nurses and other medical staff that, unfortunately, we have had to deal with!  Between Ainsley's broken arm in August, Brogan's dislocated hip, Brogan's stomach issues and hospitalizations, Brogan's pneumonia, Ainsley's 2nd broken arm, 5 ER trips, and more doctor's appointments then you can count we have seen so many doctors in our small area and they have all been wonderful!  Dr. Machen even chatted with Brian on skype while Brogan was in the hospital on Easter.  Each time I walk through the Quinter clinic, they just smile.  I know behind that smile they are probably saying, "Glad it's her and not me!"  LOL  But we are truly greatful for a great group of healthcare professionals in our area that care for us and talk to us on a personal level. 

Saturday, May 21, 2011

10 DAYS, 10 BLESSINGS . . . . DAY 3

Blessing #3 ~ One of my greatest blessings through our deployment has been family!  Ainsley, Brogan and I our fortunate to have our extended family live very close.  When my husband goes on deployment, so does our close family, friends, neighbors and coworkers.  They often don't know it until he's gone, but the kids and I start leaning on others for help and support of all kinds.  And believe me, we've called on family and they've delivered so many times through this deployment.  From homemade meals, watching the kids for me, yard work, attending the kids' events, visits in the hospital or just checking in to see if all is well at home.  Our whole family extends a big THANK YOU to all of you!  We could not have survived so well through this deployment without your help and support.  Whether your actions have been in large volume or just a few times, your kindness has been felt and our hearts were touched.  THANK YOU!!!

Are You Flippin' Kidding Me?!?!?!

Yes, I use the F-word all the time.  I'm always saying "flippin"  just ask my mom, who hates the word flippin.  And it truly is the word flippin', not the other F-word.  And today, I've hit a world record saying it!!  I couldn't make this stuff up, even if I tried!

Today was supposed to be a very boring day, but it turned out to be a day full of excitement, anger, anxiety, joy, disappointment, heartache and laughter!  I've decided that boring is not in our family vocabulary!

We started the morning running late, with the kids coming to work with me to finish packing up my room for the summer.  I had been prepared and had bicycles loaded in the van so they could ride on the playground while I worked.  Brogan wasn't himself.  He was very tired and complaining that his legs hurt.  I had to carry him to the van because he said he couldn't walk.  He fell asleep before we even hit interstate.  His allergies and asthma have been bothering him with the weather, so I just thought he was over-tired from the restless nights he's been having.  Didn't think there was too much to worry or be concerned about.  As soon as we got to the school, Brogan THREW UP!  That's right, we had to drive 20 miles to have him throw up, and turn around and go back home.  "Are you flippin' kidding me?!?"  Not now!  I have report cards to finish, pink sheets for Jamie to complete, online surveys for check-out, a classroom to clean and pack-away, PLUS oodles and oodles of things to get finished at home before Brian comes home.  I don't have time for vomit!!  Brogan was in good spirits and was actually more alert after vomitting.  He was happy to get in the tub and put his new jammies and panties underwear.  (He's grown so much that he's in need of a new wardrobe.)

Ainsley quickly unloaded her bike from the van and took off to go ride bikes with Eric A. down the street.  They've been planning this for over a month!  They were pretending to be house appraisers.  I had to tell her that they could only "appraise" at the park after I spotted the two of them "appraising" the neighbors house and garage.  I didn't need the police called for two neighborhood kids lurking around houses.  After lunch, the two of them went back to their little bike ride and appraising adventures.  Around 1:30, Ainsley came home crying.  They had decided to try their hand at rollerblading and Ainsley, who has her mommy's agility, had fallen on her arm.  "Are you flippin' kidding me?!?"  She wasn't crying hysterically, but more of a "I just skinned my knee" kind of cry.  I told her that I thought she was fine and she actually got grounded because she wasn't supposed to be at their house, just on a bike ride.  

My sister called shortly after Ainsley came home to tell me that I had a new baby niece, Aleya Kayann!!  We were all pretty excited about Miss Aleya's arrival, but also, bummed that we couldn't go start giver little Miss Aleya hugs and kisses.  Poor Brogan couldn't get her name right, Leela, Eli, Leehi, yeeli.  I think she might need a nickname for a little while!  Hopefully once he gets to hold her, he can put her name to her face.  He's a baby hog, so I asked him who got to hold Baby Aleya first and he said, "You do!"  WOW!!  I'm so excited!!  I hope he keeps his promise tomorrow when we go meet her.

Brogan was beginning to feel better and asking to play outside, so I sent him out to enjoy the wonderful 70 degree-no wind day we were having.  I actually thought our bad day had come to an end.  I sat down to finish up my grade cards, check facebook and get sucked into my new addiction Pinterest.  We even ran to Dairy King for a french vanilla Pepsi. Yes, I've even got my kids hooked on french vanilla pepsi.  And, in case you've never tried a FV Pepsi from Dairy King, you have to!  It's a sin not to! 

The day was starting to look up!  I had delicious FV Pepsi, a little boy who seemed to be over whatever bug he'd had earlier, and a new little niece that was waiting for her Aunt Stacy to come spoil her~she even squaked when her mommy was talking to me on the phone.  Almost as if she was saying, please come spoil me Aunt Stacy!!~ 

Ainsley started complaining about her arm hurting again.  I couldn't tell if she was really in pain or just more upset that she was grounded from her bike.  We ate supper and I watched as she was completly favoring her arm.  Each time I asked her where it hurt, she was always consistent on where her arm was hurting.  After supper, I decided to take her to the ER.   . . . . . .and it was broke!  "Are you flippin' kidding me?!?"  It's broke about an inch above her left wrist.  It's the same arm she broke in August!  They just put a splint on it in case it swells.  We go back to the doctor on Monday where they will decide to cast or splint it.  "Are you flippin' kidding me?!?"  "Are you flippin' kidding me?!?"  "Are you flippin' kidding me?!?"  ARE YOU FLIPPIN' KIDDING ME?!?" 

By this point, is all I could do was laugh!  I called a couple friends and they just laughed too, followed by, "I'm sorry, it's not funny, but, OMG what more could happen!?!?"

By the time we got home, Ainsley was starting to really complain of pain.  She didn't like the way the attending nurse had pushed against her wrist.  Ainsley said it wasn't very nice of her!  LOL  So, I decided that we were doing baths, breathing treatments and bedtime before anything else could happen!  Oh, but it did . . . our water heater pretty much went out!  It's been limping along all deployment long.  Poor Ainsley had about 3 minutes of a hot shower followed by a lukewarm to chilly shower.  First time ever she's actually asked me to blow dry her hair. 

So, I'm off to bed.  Both children are snuggled in bed . . . Ainsley with some good pain medicine and Brogan with Benadryl for his allergy nose.  I hope we all have a peaceful night's sleep and get to enjoy baby Aleya tomorrow!!

I'm asking for prayers over the next 9 days!  Prayers for health and healing: Brogan's allergies and asthma are really giving him fits right now and Ainsley, of course, needs some extra healing in her arm.  Prayers for PEACE and serenity to help me get everything accomplished before Brian comes home and still be able to keep it under control!

Blessings to everyone this weekend!!

Friday, May 20, 2011

10 DAYS, 10 BLESSINGS . . . . DAY 2

Blessing #2 ~ Today I was blessed with the arrival of my new little niece, Aleya Kayann!  Little Miss Aleya arrived shortly before 1 p.m. today.  She weighed 7 lbs. 15 oz. and was 20 inches long.  She has the cutests chubby cheeks and Nana said she has quite a bit of dark hair.  Her big brother, Jatin-3, is a pretty proud and protective big brother.  Congratulations to my sister and brother-in-law, Kayla and Bruce.  I can't wait to go see her tomorrow.  Aleya's favorite aunt is ready to start spoiling!!

Thursday, May 19, 2011

10 Days, 10 Blessings . . . .Day 1

10 DAYS!!!  I am so excited I can hardly sit still.  My mind is racing in a thousand different directions!  Since we have 10 days before our family is reunited again, I decided to start a 10 Deployment Blessings in 10 Days series to not only show you, but to show myself some of the blessings this deployment has brought to me or our family.

Every week, I have two wonderful Kindergarten moms that volunteer for about 2 hours in my classroom.  They are wonderful additions to our classroom each week.  The kids and I both look forward to their weekly visits.  Ashlee and Suzanne have been so supportive and helpful to me this year, especially with all that has gone on.

This is the second time I have been blessed to have Suzanne as a classroom parent.  Two years ago, I met her when I was her daughter, Lara's kindergarten teacher.  Suzanne quickly became the favorite mom with Brian and the kids because she would often send home wonderful home-cooked suprises with me. This year, I got to have Tate in my classroom!  The Murdock's have become great family friends.  Suzanne has been my "go to" mom for two years.  She's the mom that I call on when I need help with a class party, she's been the mom that's not afraid to get dirty (she painted 22- 5-year old's feet!), and has become a great friend outside of school.

Ashlee, the spunky mother of three curly-haired little boys, came into my room at the begining of the year eager to do lots of volunteering.  Little did she know, I would take her up on the offer!  Ashlee came to my room every Wednesday morning with her curly-haired 2-year old, Levi, in tow to help with whatever I needed at the moment.  She has also become a great friend and we share many interests.  It's been fun to chat with her and get to know her and her family this year.  Ashlee has always been so supportive this year and has offered help whenever I need it.

Today, I was truly touched by the generosity of these two parents friends.  I was brought to tears with their gift for Brian and I.  Thank you to both of you and your families.  You are friends that I hope to keep outside of the classroom.  Again, you outdone yourself.  THANK YOU!!

Sunday, May 15, 2011

14 Days Until He's Back!!!

Yep, you read it right!!  In 14 days, our family will be reunited for a short, but exciting reunion with Brian!!  I can't wait!  My emotions have been on overload since May 1.  I didn't want to start the countdown until school was out, but instead, I started the 31 day countdown.  I am almost to melt-down mode and we haven't even hit the one week mark yet. 

I've got so much to do before Brian walks back through the door and this is the BUSIEST time of the year for me as a teacher. . . . . I've got to finish up this school year, pack away the classroom and plan for next fall, get the house in order, make a tentative plan for R-n-R, and more!!  Oh, and I'm waiting for my new niece or nephew to arrive at any moment!!  YIKES!! 

Sunday, May 1, 2011

Osama Bin Laden is Dead!

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/42852700/ns/world_news-south_and_central_asia/?gt1=43001
I can't imagine the celebration in AJ and other US camps around the world with the news of our soldiers completing the ultimate mission at hand!!  I almost thought it was a hoax or a sick joke when I read the first post on a friend's Facebook wall "Wahoo!!! Osama bin laden has been killed! Finally!! A good day for every man and woman in uniform!"  I quickly seen it popping up on my homepage from military and non-military friends.  I then went to MSN where I seen it and began believing that the mission of the US had been completed!! 

I am eager to see how the road now unfolds in this war.  I am hopeful that this news will help bring a new sense of accomplishment and pride to our soldiers who have fought for the mission since 9-11.

Also, before I end for tonight, I want to ask that everyone say a quick prayer to the families of Sgt. Derrick Lutters of Goodland.  Derrick was killed in Iraq on May 1, 2005, during Brian's last deployment.  Derrick was a member of the 170th Maint. Co., but was serving with the 891st. Engineer Co. in Iraq when he was killed. May his family, friends and fellow soldiers still find peace and comfort in the memories they made with Derrick. 

Friday, April 29, 2011

Mommy, Can We Go Get Daddy?

As Brogan was playing doctor with me tonight, he looks up at me with those big, dark brown eyes of his and speaks the most heart-breaking words this mommy wasn't ready for. . . . "Mommy, can we go get Daddy?  I miss Daddy.  Let's go get him in Kuwait."  Oh, talk about an ache that just jabbed my heart!  I reminded him that Daddy was in Kuwait and we would be able to go get him soon.  Then he asks, "Why is he in Kuwait?"  So we had to explain that Daddy is working for the army and when he gets done, we will go get him.  Lucky for me, he was satisfied with my explanation.

I wish everyone could understand that my children are missing their Daddy terribly.  My heart breaks when my little girl was so excited to share that she received a t-shirt in the mail from her Daddy in Kuwait, only to be told, "it's not that big of a deal, is it?"  I'm sorry, but yes, it IS a big deal for her.  My children relish in each mailing they receive from their Daddy and each time they get to Skype him.  I know many people have moved on and life has continued to unfold for them in the last 5 months, but my children dream of the day they get to run into their Daddy's arms and have him lift them up with a big squeeze and kiss.  We still miss him terribly each day.   You may only be reminded each time you see us or read our newest blog update, but we our reminded constantly.  Our lives have moved on, but our hearts are still aching for our family to be together, once again.

Please remember Ainsley and Brogan and their circumstance right now.  Let them share their joys, worries, anxieties and excitements of their Daddy's deployment.  Let them share this deployment with you. 

I would like to ask for prayers . . . prayers for Ainsley and Brogan, so they may continue to still see excitement in all the "little things" a deployment brings, prayers for our family to continue to stay strong through the remainder of the deployment, and also prayers for those that have been less supportive and inconsiderate to the feelings of my children during this deployment, may they show some compassion and empathy to my children for the remainder of the deployment.

Sunday, April 24, 2011

Brogan and Ainsley both came down with a terrible cough, congestion and runny nose about 3+ weeks ago.  I took them both in to the dr. and we went home with antibiotics and nebulizer treatments for both along with a heavy dose of prednisone for Brogan. 

Ainsley's treatment went as planned and she lost her cough and runny nose within a few days.  Brogan, has been a whole different story.  We've made weekly trips to Quinter to do chest x-rays, additional antibiotics, a shot and an increase in prednisone with no change in his condition.  We even made a trip to the ER in Oakley last Sunday because he seemed to be having some asthma problems and I couldn't get him to pull out of it after his treatments.  Chest x-rays keep indicating no signs of infection, but he does seem to have inflamation.

On Thursday, Mom thought that I should take him back to Quinter since our next appointment was a week away.  Before I could get the clinic called, THEY called US asking how he was doing.  I told them that he had not improved and was actually sounding a bit worse.  I knew what our prescription would be for the night . . . .a hospital bed and Fred (that's what the kids call an IV in our family), so I packed our bags before leaving for Quinter.

I was right!!  Dr. Nemecheck came into the room, heard Brogan coughing and just shook his head.  He told Brogan that he was really sorry, but he was going to have to put him in the hospital.  Of course Brogan started asking about "pokes" and Dr. Nemecheck said he would have a couple pokes, but it was what was going to make him feel better.  The nurses were nice enough and let Brogan and I go grab a quick supper before returning for our slumber party.

I was happy to see our nurse from our February stay, Jamie, on duty for the night.  She is very good with Brogan.  As soon as we were settled into our room, Jamie, the lab tech, and a CNA all made their way to our room to help with THE POKE.  It took 3 adults to hold my little guy down so that Jaime could get the IV in one try.  Poor little Brogan was screaming and fighting with all he had.  It just broke my heart as I was holding him down and singing You Are My Sunshine to help calm him . . . .or maybe it was to help calm me too.  He kept hollering, "stop it, you're hurting me", "I said - STOP IT!  Don't do that anymore"  Once we got the blood drawn and the IV in, he looked at all of them in the room and said, "You hurt me.  I told you to stop and you didn't." . . . . . .Ya, I think they all felt about THAT small. 

We also decided to try the cough syrup with codeine since we were in the hospital.  For those of you that don't know or can't remember,  . . . . . . . . . . . .{in February 2006, our family had a VERY ROUGH week at the end of the month.  On Wednesday, I began throwing up after supper.  I thought I had a terrible flu bug, so Mom and Dad took Ainsley, who was about 2 1/2 home with them.  Brian was working in Manhattan for the A-Team at the time, so I was SINGLE once again!!  On Friday morning, Brian was home and decided to take me to the ER since I was in so much pain I could stand, walk, sit - nothing but scream.  Well, I didn't have the flu, I had a ruptured appendix that had exploded and it took them all day to figure it out because they couldn't find any remnants of the appendix.  So, I had surgery on Friday.  On Saturday night, Mom and Dad took Ainsley to the ER because she had started having a horrible cough.  She was admitted for pneuomonia.  So, Mommy was in Hays in the hospital and Ainsley was in Quinter in the hospital.  They let Ainsley out of the hospital on Tuesday morning and Nana took her home.  I was scheduled to go back in for my second surgery on Wednesday, so Brian was still with me.  Late in the afternoon on Tuesday, Nana gave Ainsley her prescription of codeine cough syrup that the dr. had prescriped.  Within a few minutes, Ainsley fell into a seizure and went unresponsive on my Mom.  Mom had to call an ambulance to the house.  The police officer arrived first and told Mom that the ambulance was not unloading, he would just put Ainsley in the back end.  As the ambulance arrived on the street, the back doors opened and he handed Ainsley over to the EMT, Leticia.   . . . . .Mom later told us that she was pretty sure that Ainsley was gone.  She just didn't know how she could be ok. . . . . Mom and Dad went to the hospital and Ainsley had come out of her seizure and starting to come around.  They said that it was a reaction to the codeine in the cough medicine or a spike in her temperature that caused her to go into the seizure and become unresponsive.  Now, imagine getting that phone call as you are 90 miles away, lying in a hospital waiting for surgery.  Thank goodness, all went well, and Ainsley came home from the hospital on Thursday and Mommy came home on Friday.} . . . . . . . . .so, since February 2006, we have not allowed codeine with cough syrup be given to our children.  And usually, when we tell the doctors why, they don't want to be the first one to give it to them.  But, since we were in the hospital, Dr. Nemecheck and I decided that the hospital would be the best place to try the codeine.  So, our nurse, Jaime, gave him 1/2 dose and sat in the room with us for about 30 minutes to make sure everything went ok, and it did!!  He tolerated the codeine like a champ and slept even better!!  I made the mistake of telling Nana what we were going to do before they gave him the dose and she said she worried all night.  She couldn't get the vision of Ainsley out of her head that night.

Brogan was not happy to be stuck in the hospital all day Friday.  He was determined to go home.  He kept telling me to put his clothes and shoes on so that we could go home.  When I told him that he couldn't go because he had Fred, he told me to put it in the van.  He kept pulling at the IV off and on all day.  Everytime I would take my eyes off of him, he was trying to get it out.  So, it was no suprise when the darn thing started beeping over and over after he went to sleep.  The nurse called the doctor and he wanted the IV inserted again.  So, the anestesiologist was called up shortly before midnight to help put a new IV in.  Poor Brogan awoke to 2 adults holding him down and 1 poking him.  After we finally got it in, Brogan looked at me and told me he was mad at me because I let them hurt him. . . . . Can you hear my heart shatter?!?!  That was so painful to hear.  I felt horrible!! 

Saturday morning brought little hope of us actually walking out of this place.  We skyped Daddy in the morning and Dr. Machen even got to talk to Daddy a bit before he checked Brogan.  Later in the day, Nana, Papa and Ainsley came to visit.  We had a good time and got to eat some good food for supper.  We are hoping to be able to go home in time for Easter dinner.  Say a little prayer for us!!

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Sand Storms

Ok, so those of us here at home, we know what WIND really is.  I always laughed when we lived in eastern KS and they would complain about how "windy" it was as it was blowing maybe 15-20 mph.  They didn't know windy days until they actually had a windy day like we have.  And, after our windy days from last week, I thought it was only fitting that I post some of Brian's latest windy days.





Sunday, April 10, 2011

Patriot Award Presented to Western Plains Energy

On February 15, the kids and I had the honor of attending an awards presentation during a Western Plains Energy board meeting.  Brian had nominated Steven McNinch and Chris McMillan for their outstanding support to Brian, our family, and the Kansas National Guard before and during his deployment.  The award was presented by David Daniels of the Kansas ESGR.  ESGR is a Department of Defense agency that seeks to promote a culture in which all American employers support and value the military service of their employees.  ESGR recognizes the outstanding support, increases awareness of the law, and more.

Our family has been so grateful for everything we have received from Steve, Chris and the rest of WPE!  It means so much.  I can't believe I'm saying this, but I can't wait to hear the sound of the on-call phone ringing.  That will mean Brian is home!!!

Thursday, March 24, 2011

The Passenger's Seat

The last three weekends, I have found myself driving across our beautiful state to visit friends for the weekend.  Each time I get all three suitcases packed and loaded in the van, get Ainsley and Brogan's travel bags ready with snacks, water bottles, toys and DVDs to keep them entertained on the 3-5 hour road trips, run through the ATM, and fill up with gas before pulling on interstate to head east.  After traveling so many times in my married life - ALONE - I have learned to pack minimally.  Now, my husband won't believe this because as soon as he comes home, I revert back to my normal heavy-duty packing, but when I have to carry all the luggage myself, I learn to pack very light.

On the way home last weekend, I looked over at my passenger seat that was filled with a bag of Tootsie Pops, The Wizard of Oz & Pippi Longstocking DVDs, my purse and a few toys that had come sailing my way when Brogan was tired of his car seat.  I instantly wanted to be sitting in the passenger's seat.  I yearned to have Brian driving the van while I entertain Ainsley and Brogan in the backseat.  I'm ready to not only move into the passenger seat on a road trip, but I'm ready to move out of the driver's seat in our family.  I'm ready for Brian to "drive" this family and all their decision making.  I'm ready to sit back, relax and enjoy the view from the passenger seat and glancing over to catch a sweet smile and wink from my driver!  Those are the moments I long for, those are the moments that will be here next fall.  And, until then, I will drive.

Sunday, March 20, 2011

A Few Days Away to Get Re-Energized!!

I've been very fortunate, not just during deployment, but always in the fact that Nana and Papa take Ainsley and Brogan frequently for sleepovers or afternoons away. It's nothing for the kids, at the last minute, to convince Nana and Papa to let them stay the night - especially if it's not a school night. . . . my kids have also been known to call Nana or Papa without my knowledge and asked them to come get them so they don't have to clean their bedroom or pick-up toys.

But this week, was extra special. I got to leave town for 4 days and hang out with my old Kindergarten team and learn some great technology for educators!! It was fabulous!! I had been excited about going, but didn't realize how bad I actually needed the mini-vacation until I got into Manhattan. My friend, Christy called to see where I was at and all of a sudden I couldn't get there fast enough!! I met Christy and her husband, Ron, at their church for supper and then got to listen to Christy and the rest of the bell choir practice for their upcoming performance. They did a wonderful job!

Afterwards, Christy took me up to Central, where I taught Kindergarten for two years, to see all the changes/additions/remodel!! OMG!! I'm so JEALOUS!! The new expansion is BEAUTIFUL!! After touring the building, Christy showed me the new toy that each classroom received with the bond issue - a promethean board. We played for 2 hours with it and I left with envy!! I really, really, really want a promethean board in my room!!

Thursday morning I headed to the campus for the annual MACE conference!  This was my first time attending the conference and I was super excited about all the new, cool stuff I was going to learn.  It is a conference for educators about technology in the classroom.  The presenters are other Kansas educators sharing their expertise in using technology in the classroom.  I met Leslie, a first grade teacher that started teaching at Central the year after I left.  Leslie and I took summer graduate classes together and became "cyber" friends, so it was nice to finally meet.  I ran into a couple of other Wamego teachers and of course the group of Colby MS teachers that were in attendance.  MACE was awesome!!  I left with so many great ideas to implement in my classroom!!  I can't wait to start using them and sharing them with my kinders.

Thursday evening was just like old times!!  Christy, Susan, Roxie, Marilyn, Joanne, Shannon and I all went to Olive Garden for supper.  Drinks were ordered and enjoyed by all!!  It was so nice to share stories, laugh, and laugh so hard we almost cried!!  I miss those monthly dinner and drinks!  I hadn't really had a night out, without children, with friends since Brian has left. . . . . and it felt so wonderful and well-deserved!

Friday morning I headed back to the MACE conference for another 4 hours of technology play!!  After MACE and before heading back to Wamego I had to stop at McAllister's for lunch and a large sweet tea!!  (I hope your jealous honey!!)  I don't know how they do it, but their sweet tea is just pure sweetness! 

On my way to Wamego, I called to check on Brogan - who was talking to Daddy on Skype - so, since I hadn't been able to video Skype Brian, my mom put me on speaker phone and I talked to Brian through speaker phone over Skype . .  .follow that?!?!  Isn't technology AMAZING!! 

I was excited to go back to Central and say "Hello" to everyone!  Christy's class of Kindergarteners were kind enough to let me play with the Promethean board with them.  It was so FUN.  When school was out, I even got to see a couple of my former students that had rode the bus over from West.  I can't believe they are in third and fourth grade!!  My, how time flies.

Ron, Christy's husband, cooked a wonderful meal for us Friday evening.  They had invited Bill and Joanne over for supper and we enjoyed lots of laughs.  We then played Farkle and had even more laughs with that!

Saturday's activities began with a stop at Friendship house for homemade peanut butter cinnamon rolls with Christy and 2 dozen fudgie cookies to bring back for everyone at Colby Grade School and of course, Ainsley and Brogan.  We then headed over to Manhattan to do some quick shopping before taking Grandma Joyce out for lunch at IHOP.  After lunch, I headed back to reality at least I had a four-hour drive to get back there!!

It was so nice to get away from my present reality and have a little fun while visiting with new and old friends.  But, it was also nice to get back to reality with Ainsley and Brogan and back to school with my new friends!!

Saturday, February 26, 2011

Happy Birthday Brogan!!

Three years ago today, at 11:12 a.m. to be exact, our family was blessed with a big bundle of joy.  Brogan John Wolf arrived weighing in at 9 lbs. 4 oz. and 20 1/2 inches long!!  Our prayers for a healthy baby had been answered! 

Brogan has added such joy to our lives over the past three years.  He has such a zest for life and keeps our house full of excitement.  Although it would be nice if he could take it down a few notches - I secretly love him for all his oneriness!!


 


Monday, February 21, 2011

A Week at a Time

WOW!!  To say the last week or so has been full of many ups and downs would be quite the understatement of the year!!  So, I'll just let you judge for yourself -


Friday, February 11: My little guy is growing up!  He went to preschool screening and did FABULOUS!!  This mommy was so proud of her little guy!!  WARNING:  Bragging is about to begin: Brogan knows almost all of his upper and lower-case letters!!  YEAH!!  Now we need to start working on numbers and those wonderful Animated Literacy sounds and gestures! 

I also got out of my inservice early enough to catch Ainsley's Valentine's Day party at school.  She was pretty excited to see me show up since it was a suprise!

Saturday, February 12: We went to Megan's confirmation and got to see a few family members from Brian's side of the family.  Uncle Steve and Brogan played Buzz Lightyear after supper.  Brogan thought it was so much fun!  Ainsley enjoyed visiting with Grandma Thummel and the rest of the family. 


Sunday, February 13: It was such a nice day outside that the kids went out and played in the little bit of snow that was left and rode their bikes.  They have both been dying to ride their bikes since the first cold spell in November.




Monday, February 14: Ainsley didn't have school, so both kids were hanging out at Nana's house.  Brian decided to Skype them and to tell Nana that a couple Valentine deliveries would be arriving sometime during the day.  While the kids were talking to their Daddy the doorbell rang and it was our local flower shop delivering the stuffed animals and balloons Brian had ordered for Ainsley and Brogan.  Talk about timing!!  Brian got to see the kids' reactions to getting suprises and he actually got to see what he bought. 

Then, when I got home, I found my beautiful suprise waiting for me!!  I was extremely impressed with my husband!  He called Sam's and had her pick out a purse for me and take it to the flower shop.  Then, he called the flower shop and had them put the flowers inside the purse.  The purse and the flowers were BEAUTIFUL!!  They were so me.  They were perfect!!

Tuesday, February 15:  WE HAD SCHOOL!!  We've had a snow-Tuesday for the last 3 weeks, so it was such a suprise to actually have school on Tuesday!!  Yippee!!  I got home from work a little early so we ran by the library to grab a few books.  I introduced Ainsley to The Boxcar Children.  We are currently reading the first book at bedtime.

Wednesday, February 16:  Wednesday must have been uneventful because I can't remember 1 thing about it.

Thursday, February 17:  The staff at my school does FFF: Fast Food Friday.  We take turns being in-charge of the location, orders, and delivery.  I decided I wanted to make some chocolate chip cookies for Friday, so my little chef, Brogan and I made several dozen cookies to take to school for FFF.  I think Brogan came close to eating 1/2 dozen himself.  He is definitely a cookie monster!!

Friday, February 18:  Well, the day started off with Brogan stealing a couple cookies before heading out the door to Nana & Papa's in the morning.  He was his usual energetic self. . . . . Mom called me around 11:30 to see what kind of cookies Brogan had ate in the morning because he had been throwing up all morning long.  Yes, I know this would make it about the sixth time Brogan has had the stomach bug.  By 1:30, Mom called me back at school and told me that I needed to get him to Quinter because he was too weak to even hold up his head and he was also becoming delirious. 

We got to the clinic around 3:00.  After seeing the doctor, who almost got a lap full of regurgitated water, Dr. Nemecheck came to the conclusion that Brogan needed to be hospitalized.  Poor little Brogan had to endure a couple attempts at an IV. . . . he was such a brave little boy.  Mommy was being as brave as she could singing songs and holding him down, but she still had tears.  Nana felt sorry for her little guy, too.  Once they got the IV hooked up, he looked at the nurse and said, "You were hurting me and I told you to stop and you didn't!" 

They gave him some medicine that to stop the nausea and reduce the low-grade fever that started once we got to the hospital.  The medicine was supposed to knock him out for the night, but he made liars out of all them.  He was still going strong at 10:00 that evening!!

Saturday, February 19:  Nana brought the mini-DVD player up to the hospital along with a bag full of movies to help entertain Brogan.  He was already starting to feel so much better by lunch time on Saturday.  He was still hooked to IV's, but let me tell you, it didn't slow him down one bit!  Nana about lost her lunch when he took off running and she could see the IV pulling tight. . . .

Aunt Cheryl came to visit Brogan Saturday night and let Mommy run get some "real" food and a fountain drink.  Mommy was starting to go a little crazy!!  Brogan was so excited that he felt good enough to eat some Macaroni and cheese for supper on Saturday night!! 
Sunday, February 20:  Brogan was pretty happy that they took the IVs out and he got a cinnamon roll for breakfast!  He told me that it warmed his tummy 'cause "I'm so hungry!"  Dr. Machen came in to check on us around lunch time and said that Brogan was ready to go home!  Both Mommy and Brogan were happy to hear that news!!

So, THAT was our week!!  I hope yours was a little less eventful than ours.  Thank you to all of you that called, texted or stopped by to show you were concerned about Brogan.  It really means alot.  It amazes me how many people took the time to say a little prayer or send a quick text to show you cared about him.  Believe me, your concern and thoughtfulness didn't go unnoticed!


Saturday, February 12, 2011

I'm Running Away!!

Oh, my!!  I'm still chuckling from Brogan.  He's mad at me because I sat down to watch a movie and won't let him watch "train Calliou" which is his favorite for the week.  He kept throwing a fit and even trying to change the channel.  I usually give in, but not today - I was really tired of kid shows.  So, he jumped off the couch and started storming out of the living room and turned around to say, "I'm running away!" . . . . . .Needless to say, I just burst out laughing!!  He didn't quite know what to think of that!

Monday, February 7, 2011

Conserving Water and Tight-Rope Walking

Just yesterday my mom said to me, "I feel so sorry for Charlotte.  She was left with Brian all by herself while Dean drove truck and if Brogan's anything like Brian was, Poor Woman!" Yes, Brogan is a spitting image of his Daddy and gets into trouble just like his daddy did and still does!

So, why would today be any different?!!  It wasn't - he delivered!!

I've been complaining about my water pressure in the house for a couple of weeks now.  It all started in January when we were cleaning out the basement and then had a snow day the next day.  The kids had been playing downstairs the whole weekend and really enjoying themselves.  The temperatures had gotten well-below freezing and I was making sure that I was leaving cabinets open at night so that I wouldn't have a frozen pipe, but I noticed that I had very low water pressure.  I just thought it was something with the temps and didn't say anything to Dad until later in the week when it started warming up outside.  Dad was puzzled.  I called one of the neighbors to see if they had good water pressure and they did - they suggested calling the city to come see what was going on. 

Well, if you know me, I am very forgetful and like to procrastinate, so we have been going 3+ weeks with bad water pressure.  Last night, I was filling the kids' bath and went to fill water bottles in the kitchen . . . . I had no water, just a trickle.  I called Dad and told him that something was definitely wrong.  He said he would check it out tomorrow.  So, tonight he came over to listen to the pipes to see if he could hear any water running.  He didn't hear anything, so he decided to look further and what he found, well . . .

He found the water shut-off switch in all-but-OFF position!  The switch is located in the kids' toy room at LITTLE BOY LEVEL right next to the kitchen set.  I'm sure Brogan seen that nifty little switch and decided to turn that wrench or fill up his glass with imaginary milk or who knows what.  So, with a quick turn of the switch  . . . . .WE HAD PRESSURE!!!  It was so nice to be able to fill up the bathtub tonight in less than 8 minutes.  I can't wait for my shower in the morning!  I guess Brogan thought our family needed to conserve water in household.

But, that wasn't the end to our evening adventures.  Oh no!  Brogan had more in store for Mommy!  Just enough to make her say his name really loud "BROGAN JOHN!"  Call me a bad mom if you will, but while my kids are in the bathtub, I can get lots done.  Switch laundry, clean-up supper, do dishes, you name it- I do it during the 30 minutes they are in the tub.  Of course, I make frequent check-ups in the bathroom to make sure everyone is still alive and the water is staying in the tub not on my floor.  So, tonight was no different.  I put Brogan in the tub with bubbles and his little airplane and I took off.  A few minutes later, when things seemed "too quiet" I went in to the bathroom to find this:
"I'm walking on a tight-rope, Mommy!!"  He was so proud of himself!  And yes, the bad Mommy in me came out and I stepped back in the hallway and grabbed my camera from the closet to take a few pictures.  It really was pretty cute, albeit dangerous!!  And then, when I pulled out the camera he decided to do a couple tricks and gave me this:
He got down, very gracefully, and asked, "Are you happy?!?"  Oh, Brogan!!  Never a dull moment with you!!  But I wouldn't trade you for anything!  Love you Buddy!!