News

I know that a lot of you already know this because I think most of my readers are family.  We are expecting AGAIN (I know-we've had the talk-I just don't know what happened!)  It's not an egg in the oven either, just for clarity!  My due date is Oct 16th.  I went to the doctor on Wednesday and everything seems to be alright.  I am about 8-10 weeks along.  She tried to hear the heartbeat, and was pretty sure she heard it, but she couldn't get a lock on it to hear it steady.  I'm supposed to go back in 2 weeks to make sure they can hear it.  She also gave me some pills for morning sickness because it had been lasting most of the day, and that seems to be helping quite a bit.  I'm just SO tired I still am not getting much done-the story of my life.  

Wednesday was our 9th anniversary.  I meant to blog that day, but I didn't.  I just can't get over the fact that Daniel and I are such a perfect match.  Even though we can get irritated at each other at times, he makes me laugh every day.  I've always needed a good laugh every day-just ask Shellie-she was the laughEE while I was the laughER most of the time growing up.  She's hilarious too though.  A lot of times when Daniel and I start arguing about something, it turns into joking and laughing about it instead of a heated discussion.  He always has better comebacks than I do though!  He's much wittier and more ornery too.  We met on July 14 or 15th, 1994.  I can't believe that it has been so long.  We started writing letters back and forth (or forth and forth because he forgot to write sometimes!)  We still have all of those letters which I keep meaning to read again because they make me feel all giddy inside again!  We started "dating" on August 18, 1996.  That was the day before I went back to Colorado for one more year of high school.  But then I came back a year later to start college and we were inseparable.  I am so blessed to have such a loyal, respectable, and loving husband.  He puts up with me when I'm at my worst and loves me more each day.  I love him more and more each day too and see something new in him all the time.  Last night he was so cute playing with the kids.  He usually doesn't get too roudy with them, but he was chasing Eli around our circle (kitchen, dining, living rooms) having a pillow fight with him.  Ema got in on it too, and they were all giggling up a storm.  So cute!  Anyway, God has blessed me more than I ever thought possible with a wonderful husband and now 4 beautiful kids!

One exciting note-Elena found my missing-for-2-weeks wedding ring!  I was washing dishes a couple of weeks ago and had laid my ring on the counter.  Elena wanted to sit on the counter while I did it because she likes to play in the cabinets.  Then it was gone.  I looked everywhere for it-I looked in the cabinet she was playing in and looked in all the cups and everything.  We even looked through the trash the day after it happened.  I figured at some point it was going to show up, but I was starting to lose hope.  I kept dreaming about finding it and if I was going through something and felt something unusual, my heart would jump, but it was never the ring.  Today when I was doing dishes, Elena wanted to get up there again.  I said, "why don't you find my ring for me?"  Just saying it, not thinking she actually would.  After a few "what"s because you have to repeat most things to her in a different way to make her understand.  It reminds me of a comedy bit.  She turned to the cabinet and a minute later said, "yyeer it is!"  I don't really know where she looked that we didn't, but I'm just happy that she found it.  So now I feel more complete with a little bit of weight on my hand!  

I've gotten a hole punch from my teacher Ms. Ema, because I was hitting a fellow classmate, and I have done 3 pages of work while typing. So this post is a little scattered!  I'll be going now because apparently, I need to finish this "A.R. test."

Birthdays and Bragging

Elena's birthday party went pretty well, I thought.  After I finally got lunch ready, it worked out well.  Ema did me a favor and wrapped all of Elena's presents that we got for her.  That was her "thing" on Saturday morning, and then she wouldn't let anyone else in her room because the presents were in there.  We are some of the suckers that feel like the other kids should get a little something too (from us-nobody else needs to feel like they have to do this!) partly because then they have something to play with and maybe they will leave the other kid's new toys alone for a little bit, and partly just because we don't want them to feel left out or something!  I know, they need to used to not getting something at every party!  Anyway-Ema ended up wrapping her own prince (not the artist-formally-known guy) doll-but nobody else could see theirs!  

When we started singing Happy Birthday to Elena, she started crying!  We weren't sure if it was because she didn't like all the attention or if we told her she couldn't blow out the candles yet.  By the time she started crying, we couldn't remember what anyone had actually said to her about the candles!  I was trying to get pictures loaded up, but can't get it to access my photo library.  What is wrong with me that I can't figure this out?  I thought I was pretty up on technology, but apparently not!

Fred and Nyla, Samantha and Kerry, and Shellie all traveled here to come to her party.  I thought it was pretty fun and it was nice to get to see everyone again.  My parents were also there for a little while.  Dad mowed our huge weeds for us and then his allergies were acting up. I felt bad about that.  Thank you though, Dad!

This morning, Ema got to "run the halls" at school because she accomplished her advanced reading goal.  She read through all of the AR books on her level.  She wasn't real sure about it before school today, but when she got there and did it, she had fun.  I really admire her strength because I know how dependent I am on other people, especially if I'm doing something new.  I always want someone to go with me the first time.  Maybe that's something little, but I think it's a big deal anyway.  The other kids that didn't make their goal stood outside the classroom and cheered the runners on.  It was neat to see and I know it made Ema feel good.  She was one of three kindergartners (out of 40 K's) that got to run.  She is quite the reader.  We were doing a little homework test last night where you write down the child's responses.  It is so easy for her, it's almost not worth doing.  Except that we are spending time together without fighting!  She corrected me on something that I wrote down.  I asked her what sound "v" makes and she told me.  I wrote "va" down because how else do you write a sound down?!  She said "no, it's not va, it's vvv."  I stand corrected!  

We may be going to Abilene this weekend so I guess I better get some things done.  I will try to figure out why I can't get to my photo library and post some pictures!

Movie

Here is the gorilla movie from long ago.  I still think it's funny!  Hopefully it works.  You have to click on the "Elena" movie or else it will sit there with a question mark until you get tired of waiting.  Does it sound like I may have done that when I was testing it out?!

Lazy Days

Here are a few pictures of our kids being sweet.  I realized that in almost 2 months, we have taken 8 pictures-2 of which were of the computer.  I'm guessing that was Eli's doing.  We need to get with it!  

So when I started this month, I had such high hopes.  Ambition was running through my veins, I was ready to work.  Now as I look back, I can barely remember the beginning of this month.   I guess I had to take a few days to input a year's worth of transactions for a client.  I remember that took me a lot longer than I expected because I just didn't feel good.  Then it all went downhill from there!  It seems like our whole family has been sick for the entire month.  Except Daniel-somehow he has missed out on the fun.  (He is starting to get a little something now though I think-I tried not to kiss him!)  So the house has gone to pot, Ema has stayed home from school for 3 days now.  I thought she was getting better this morning, but she still has a pretty high temperature.  The four of us are on antibiotics.  I'm still giving tylenol and motrin to Ema, but I had to have a chart for a few days to try and remember what I gave to who.  We are having Elena's birthday party on Saturday-just for family.  I am hoping I won't be rushing too much just to get the house clean.  I would never expect my parties to be as good as Kristi's, but someday I'd like them to be at least a little organized!  Kristi has that knack for putting together great parties with a theme and games and the whole shabang!  It could possibly be because she starts planning it before a week before the date-that's just a guess-I don't know!  Anyway you do a great job, Kristi!  

I'm trying to stop complaining so much, but sometimes it is such a habit for me-I guess I just think I am informing people of what's going on, but really it sounds like I think I've got the worst possible situation.  I really don't think that, so I will try to put a more positive spin on things!  I was talking to Daniel about something happening and I said, "If I do it, then I'll just start complaining about it," and he said, "yea, we wouldn't want that to start up."  I hope you can catch the sarcasm in his voice.  Anyway-I'm going to work on it. 

 

Other things that have happened this month:  Ema lost her first tooth.  She was expecting $100 from the tooth fairy, because after all, it was her first tooth.  But she was very satisfied with the $2 her cheap tooth fairy gave her!  (I can remember only getting a quarter. . .)   Elena is pretty close to being potty-trained.  It depends on how lazy I am being.  If she doesn't have a diaper on-just panties or pants (she likes going commando which is a little disturbing) she does really well.  She was pretty proud of herself today when she found some panties and put them on.  Nothing was covered, they were pulled up to her waist, but she had them on.  I guess she just put both legs into one hole and pulled them up.  She came to me and said "wook!" with a big grin on her face.  A couple of weeks ago, I hadn't gotten her dressed yet, partly because she does well potty training that way, and partly because of my laziness.  My client called and needed some checks made.  He said he'd be there in 20 minutes.  I thought surely I would have time to make the checks, the envelopes, brush my teeth, and get Elena dressed, but the envelopes wouldn't print right and he only gave me about 10 minutes.  So I was trying to hide a stark naked kid behind the door while trying to talk "professionally" to him, without exposing my disgusting teeth.  I was so embarrassed!   Maybe someday I will learn!

Happy Birthday Jonathan!

We just wanted to wish our sweet nephew a Happy Birthday today.  It is hard to believe that it's been that long already.  So much has happened in that time too though so I guess it's possible!  We hope you have a wonderful day!  Sorry we can't make it to your party, but maybe sometime soon we'll be able to see you all.  Elena has finally started calling him baby dondan.  And she recognized him too before I said who it was!  Of course, their pictures are up on our refrigerator, so I guess she sees them more than I realize.  Happy Birthday sweet boy!  

Technology Issues

Well folks, I can't get the video to upload to the blog.  I don't know why it won't.  It is in Quicktime format and is only 16 kb.  Kristi, do you have any ideas?  I know you've posted one on your blog before.  It's a little frustrating.  Another thing that I'm not sure about yet-when I want to respond to people's comments, do I just add the comment on my blog, and then they will check back to see if I've responded?  Or is there a way to do it where it gets emailed to the person like the comments get emailed to me?  

I will just respond right here real fast.  After all, I haven't procrastinated enough today!  Shellie that's funny about the What is love song?  Except for the fact that it's in my head now!  I can't understand why James didn't go against his parents' wishes and watch an immoral show!  I also remember taking that little black and white TV into our room after everyone had gone to bed, and sitting at the very end of the bed with it so close we almost couldn't see the entire 12 inch screen or whatever it was, and watching Picket Fences.  It didn't seem bad for a while, but I do remember one disturbing part that made us decide not to do that anymore.  I think.  Oh and it's okay that we didn't clean or organize anything-I didn't feel much like doing it just yet!

Kristi, when I saw David's name and the comment left, it really surprised me that David said that!  It just didn't sound quite right!  But then I read it again in your voice and it was all much clearer!  I sure hope Jonathan is feeling better.  You've been having quite a time with those viruses.  Elena thinks the pictures of him on our refrigerator are "baby" and not Jonathan.  She says "ninanin" or something for Benjamin, but Jonathan is still very adamantly a baby.  They don't get names until they can prove they are not babies anymore I guess.  

I hope everyone's super bowl parties were fun.  We didn't have one-we went out to eat with some friends after church and came home to watch the last 51 seconds of the game.  Really, that was all you needed to watch.  If Daniel doesn't watch sports, it doesn't really bother him, but when he does, he gives a play-by-play.  Pretty loudly too.  I was laughing to myself last night.  NOW I BET THEY ARE GOING TO DO AN OFF-SIDE KICK.  OH WHY DIDN'T THEY DO THAT.  THAT WAS DUMB, NOW THE PATRIOTS ARE GOING TO. . . .!  I can't remember all that he said, but it was kinda cute.  Like that obsessive sports fan that I've been trying to suppress is coming to the surface!  

Now I've got to get stuff done.  I've been lazy all day.  We went to lunch with some friends for one of their birthdays.  Then we went to the park for 30 minutes and about got blown away.  I'm going to have to pick up Ema in a few minutes so there is just no time to do anything in between except this.  I haven't gotten to cross anything off my list yet which is a little disappointing.  I had such high hopes last night when I was thinking about it!