A Post for Ben

Dear Ben,

I decided to post for you and share the good news... here it is:

My brother is getting married!!

I am so happy for you and want you to know that.  I am so glad that we have so many good memories in our life and that the bad memories are behind us.  I am proud of you everyday for the struggles you have overcome.  I realize each day how lucky I am to have you as my brother.  We have always laughed together, in fact, I am sure it drives Greg crazy, but you seem to make me laugh harder than anyone else can.  Those nights playing video games into the wee hours of the morning will always be some of my favorite times, even if we never made it through Ferris Bueller.  (I mean honestly, who decides to put on a movie at 3 am.).

I am happy that you have found someone who loves you so much and who will be there for you. I am glad that you found Kelsey. 

Love,
J

Top 6 Reasons.

I have good reasons for neglecting my blog.  Here are a few of the reasons.

6. I got a new computer.  First, I got a new camera which wouldn't work with my computer.  I figured that was unacceptable and therefore I needed a new computer.  It has taken a fair amount of time to transfer all of my music and pictures on to the new computer.  It also took awhile to find the time to sit down and plug in the new computer.  The new computer is now up and running and can see my new camera.  Hooray for that.

5. We started preschool.  Figuring out the schedule that allows for preschool three days a week, Kindermusik for Owen (and possibly Ivy) one day a week, yoga two days a week, and work any day that will allow, took a little bit and threw me for a small loop, but I think we just about have it.

4. A quick trip to Utah.  We went to Utah for the annual State Fair trip.  It was a wonderful time.  We saw everyone on the list, had fun at the fair, enjoyed the Saturday Farmer's Market, had a delicious BBQ with family and flew back.  It was fast but quite enjoyable.

3. Grandma Jayne came to visit us.  Greg's mom came out for the week.  She spent a lot of time looking at the 4 new baby chicks we have living in the house.  The crew of chickens outside is about to increase to 19.  Owen loves looking at the little guys.  He and his grandma must have looked at them 8-10 times a day.  We spent a day at the children's museum, we went out to eat, we visited and had non-stop amusement from Owen.  The trip had to come to an end and Owen cried.  He didn't want his grandma to go.  It was a nice visit.

2. We have been sick.  However! we have not had croup.  I gave Owen the steroid medicine the other day and we made it! He has a lingering cough and I have a terrible cold.  Runny nose, sore throat and a fear of the swine flu.  It is causing me some anxiety.  Hopefully this cold will come and go.

1. And the number one reason I have neglected my blog: We bought a house.  Yes, that is right.  We move in on November 1st.  We signed all the papers and closed on the 1st of October.  Things moved so fast that we were more than willing to have the move-in date later. 

We wanted to make sure that we received the home buyer's tax credit and wanted to buy something before November 30 when the credit goes away.  We started where any normal person would start looking for a house now days: Craig's List.  We saw a listing for a house, it had a few pictures, the area seemed good and so we called.  This was on a Saturday.  On a Sunday we saw the house and by Monday night we emailed off an offer.  Some negotiating emails back and forth and it was done.  It was a sale by owner.  No pesky realtors involved, I drew up the documents and now we have a house and a big weight lifting rack with attachments and a treadmill - that was part of the offer.  We are so excited, a little scared at times, but mostly excited.  Now comes the packing!

So there it is.

Coughing and Worrying

Owen has a cough tonight.  He has that same familiar cough that puts a knot in the pit of my stomach.  That same cough that leads to a long restless night, a night with croup.  I am so worried to go to bed.  Worried for him to fall asleep.  The humidifier is up and running, this morning I gave him a dosage of his steroid medicine which takes 24 hours to work, and before I head off to bed I will make sure the shower is ready for us. 

So it is off to bed for me soon, off to bed to listen to him breathe, off to pray the barking cough away. 

Goodbye Baseball

That time of year has come, the last game of the season. 

Some might say it is bitter-sweet, what they mean by that is: Bitter for Greg and Sweet for Me. 

So now dear baseball, I bid you farewell, and know that while you caused me some grief, you made Greg happy and that is all that counts. Until next time.

A Blog Which Exposes My Faults

Yesterday was a long day.  It was a day spent with Owen and Ivy, but yet a day spent somewhere else. 

We woke up early, one of us showered, one of us watched Handy Manny and one of us hung out in a car seat.  Once it was time to go we loaded a million bags to the car and I came to the realization that I need a multi-purpose bag.  A bag for the toys, a bag for the pajamas, a diaper bag, a work bag, a purse, and a camera bag were loaded in the car.  Owen carried the water bottle out.  Maybe I should get a bag for the water bottle.  

We took Ivy to the dr. for her 2 month well-child visit.  After a bill of good health, two 2 shots and a purchase of infant tylenol, we were off to the office.  At the office, one of us worked, one of us made a mess and one of us slept. 

Then it was off to the museum.  We found a nice close parking spot only to discover they were closed for repairs.  A few tears later, we were off to visit Greg.

After a few hellos, a ride up and down the escalator, a juggling show and a visit to Greg's co-worker's office at Owen's request, we were off to somewhere.

Because we had instant napping, we drove to Angie's house to wait for her.  We drove to her house and hung out in the car.  One of us talked on the phone, and two of us slept.

After Angie arrived we met Ben and Kelsey for dinner at The Rock.  We had yummy pizza before heading to the last baseball game of the season for Greg and Steve.  We watched a little baseball and played a lot with our new cameras. 

A tired group headed home.  Of course one of us drove and two of us slept. 

I was there with them all day, but I was somewhere else.  I was in my head thinking about the house we are about to buy, thinking about the budget, thinking about change, thinking about the unfinished work I have, thinking about my lame computer which has a problem and won't connect to the new camera.  Just thinking. 

And as a result of this lack of awareness, lack of living in the present moment, lack of living outside my own head, Owen ate this yesterday:
        1. a chocolate chip cookie
        2. a bag of cheetos
        3. a bag of M&Ms (which we bought for Ben and he ate)
        4. 3 pieces of pizza.

I am not kidding. 

And although all of the thoughts are still there today, they will be moved to the back so that my child can eat.

Smiles

 

 

The day comes to a close...

Happy Birthday to me.  Goodbye 32, hello 33. 

The day brought fun, birthday wishes, birthday songs, flowers, balloons, a new camera to come, yummy food, chocolate covered strawberries, an excited little boy and a sweet smiling baby.

33 will be good.

Good night to my birthday.