Only in Texas

Can it be a balmy 70 degrees and then it dropped and now is sleeting outside. At least ice is hitting the back door and it's cold and wet outside. Too bad I can't just lie in bed tomorrow and relax.

And here are the updates on the kids:

Em--she cracks me up. She has a book report due in two days and has switched books numerous times. Does she get an easier book each time? Nope, she keeps moving up. I told her this was her last change because she was running out of time. Tomorrow will be filled with homework for both girls.

Abs--I was on the phone with my friend Mel and Abs was in the shower. I was checking on her and all was well so I continued my conversation while I cleaned up a little for dinner. I heard a lot of noise from the bathroom and so I figured I better check it out. What I found was the entire bathroom drenched. Abs was taking a cup, filling it with water, and throwing it up on the ceiling. It was all over the ceiling and was raining down. Her rationale was that she was in a tropical rainforest. How can someone so smart not think things through?

Junior--He woke up screaming Sunday morning "I'm stuck, I'm stuck, I'm stuck" and screamed some more. I jumped up and ran in there. There was my baby boy with huge tears in his eyes and running down his face. Where was he stuck? He was stuck in the crib and couldn't get out. I told him it was 5 am and he needed to go to sleep but then he smiled and told me thank you for getting him unstuck as well as saying "I waked up Mommy". I couldn't resist so we got up bright and early. Little stinker! He still hasn't had a haircut, so his cowlick is out of control.

I'm hanging in there and counting down the days till Christmas vacation. 8 more school days!!! Woohoo!

Books

I had to order some books for a lesson, and so while I was at it I sorted through the 5 pages of books that I saved in my amazon cart for later.

I settled on these:

The Soldiers' Night Before Christmas--"'Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the base
Only sentries were stirring--they guarded the place.
The soldiers were sleeping and snoring away
As they dreamed of 'back home' on good Christmas Day..."

One Christmas Eve at a military barracks in the Middle East, some homesick soldiers are paid a visit by Sergeant McClaus, the Santa of Soldiers. This lively and poignant tale is inspired by Clement C. Moore's classic yuletide poem.

The Night Before Christmas in the Military--Santa receives thousands of letters from children who have parents in the military. He decides this year he'll do something extra special for the troops that are away from home.

The Soldier's Tree--In a world where bigger is often better, a tiny tree realizes that its extra small size can make an extra big difference. This book is a wonderful deployment tool designed to help military children enjoy the Christmas holiday while separated from a loved one overseas. Military families will be inspired to create their own Soldier's Tree which can be sent to their special service member serving abroad. With a poetic storyline and perfectly imperfect illustrations, The Soldier's Tree is sure to be loved by children who wear the stars and stripes of America.

Oh yeah, I am sure these will make me upbeat and happy about the Christmas season.

Have you heard of the Impossible Patriotism Project? It is a great book for kids. It's about a class that is doing a project on patriotism and one little boy can't think of anything to do. He tries to come up with an idea and wishes that his dad was there to help him, but he is deployed. So at the end of the story he does a picture of his dad and talks about him. I read it to my class and could barely make it through the book. The girls really like it though.

So those are my picks of the weeks. I spend way too much money at Amazon.

I should get a book on howtogetyourchildrentopickthingsupinsteadofwalkingonthem.

Oh crap!

Another depressing post, so skip it if you don't want to hear it!

I am still miserable, but trying to keep moving. It's hard, but I know things could be worse, although at times I don't feel like they can be. Everything kind of happened at once, and all I wanted was Gunner home to tell me everything will be alright. Although he tried while thousands of miles away, it just wasn't the same. Thanks for all the emails, messages of support, etc. They all made me cry even more.

I got my first Christmas card today. My friend is a journalist and has time to write a card complete with the letter--guys, I love the letters, so keep them coming! I was excited to get my first one and thought about how I should think about getting one out in about 3 weeks. Then the "oh crap!" hit me when I realized that Christmas is a mere 3 weeks away.

I have no tree up. Very few presents bought. No Christmas picture of the kids for a card, and I haven't sent a box to Gunner yet. So the "oh crap!" feeling hit again.

Want to know how I got to feeling even worse? Gunner called Thursday night--11 missed calls. He never calls that much. He asked me if I would be home on the 13th. I told him I didn't know, but I could be--I was starting to think he was going to come home, which was way too early and is not a good sign. I started to feel sick, and he assured me everything was okay, but that he couldn't get his item to arrive the following Wednesday.

The following Wed? Why? What was it? Keep talking Gunner. What am I not getting here.

Oh crap! It's our anniversary on the 17th! I thought he was supposed to be the one who forgets. Score 1 for Gunner. To my defense he is usually gone on our anniversary. He missed the first one deployed to Bosnia for a year, and now will miss our 14th one this year. He's probably been around for a handful in between. I don't remember him getting me anything any other anniversary either, so this was a shock. The boy must be saving his $40 a MONTH allowance--you read that right.....my husband gets $40 a month while deployed. On the bright side, he is up from the $25 he got the first two deployments. I don't get the guys who spend hundreds of dollars while deployed, every.single.month. Crazy I tell you.

Em really wants a nintendo ds, but I just don't see that happening--way out of my price range. Abs is undecided on what she wants, but I am sure it will include dinosaurs. Junior would be happy with a nintendo ds box, a new supply of binkies and a gallon of pedialyte, his favorite drink. He's still way into barney and my friend Abbey has more than filled our lives with that singing and dancing purple dinosaur. (I really don't mind Barney, although I would prefer Amazing Race or something a little more exciting!)

I have decided that I am not a strong person. Even when I try to get everything for everyone done, someone will focus on the one thing that I have to let slide and make a point of saying how important it is. I spend more time crying than not. This is not the type of person I used to be.

I feel like I have spent so much time trying to get things better for me, for Gunner, and our little family. Instead I always seem to fall short. It's not a good feeling. But I know that what is most important is Gunner and the kids, so I'll try to focus on that. So if you don't get a Christmas card, if the kids don't get exactly what they want for Christmas, if the tree isn't put up until we are on Christmas break, hopefully everyone will at least remember that I tried my best and that I poured my heart into everything that I did.

So Gunner, I am sorry that you won't have a Christmas box on time, but know that we love you with all of our hearts, and we are counting down the days till you are home again!

What tomorrow holds

is not pretty.  The Mrs told me I shouldn't wonder what it would really hold, and I wish I could go back in time.  I can't even get into it because I am all cried out...well not really since I am in my dark classroom during lunch, crying as I type this.  The kids are okay.  Chris is okay.  And eventually I will be okay.  Other than that I just don't give a damn at this point about much else. How's that for a ray of sunshine?

The benadryl escapades

So I go into daycare this morning to drop off Junior and his brand new bottle of benadryl. They take it and ask if I want them to throw away the old bottle. Blame it on my mom, but I hate to throw away anything--well except for expired food, that I toss willingly as soon as the date reaches the one on the package. Anyway, I take my bottle of benadryl out to the car and I wait for the call.

The nurse calls. I need a new bottle of benadryl with a prescription label. But, she tells me that I have till Dec 30th to get it, so if I have the old bottle then I can return it and be good to go.

So I returned it this afternoon, and will make an appointment over Christmas to get a new prescription for it, as well as the new pile of forms that they gave me. After they fed Junior eggs at daycare, his picture is now plastered all over the tables like a "Wanted" poster to make sure it doesn't happen. They have also taught him that eggs are "yucky".

Tonight we watched the Shrek Christmas special. I just can't get into the whole Shrek thing. I don't particularly like crude humor, so I graded papers while we watched it. Family bonding at its best.

Super busy day tomorrow. If I wasn't teaching, this deployment would last forever, but I would have time for the gym and probably have less gray hair!

Off to get ready for tomorrow. I remember that my uncle used to set out the cereal and the bowls and spoons for the next day. I can't be that organized.

Seriously?

I got pulled over tonight with all three kids in the car. I was going not even 5 miles over the speed limit. He was really nice and asked for my license while I sat searching through piles of papers for my proof of insurance. (Mental note to clean that out and put the new one in--luckily I had one that expired in 30 days.)

Abs offered to talk to the police officer for me, but I vetoed that. Junior was excited to see a police officer. Em was scared.

During Gunner's first deployment I got pulled over, when Em was 5 and Abs was 2. They proceeded to make siren noises and then kept asking the MP if he was going to arrest all of us. I saw him laughing every time he went back to his squad car.

I wonder what tomorrow holds....

Things heard around the Hood...

Abs is still grounded from the tv. She came out while the other kids were watching tv, and I told her she needed to find something else to do.
Abs: I found something else to do.
Me: What's that?
Abs: I'm just going to sit out here and look at you because you are so beautiful. I won't even need to watch tv, because of your beauty.
Me: Thanks, now go find something to do.
Abs: It was worth a shot, but you are pretty.

A quick kiss and she was on her way.

The Day After

My friend Mel showed up at my house bright and early on Thanksgiving Day (6:30 am) while I was trying to hook up the DVD player in the car. I think I was missing a wire, so I abandoned that plan. The kids were up, dressed, and packed. We loaded the car and off we went...down the street. I forgot to feed the kids breakfast, so we stopped off at Jack in the box.

So now are headed off to my mom's house, with 2 adults and 3 kiddos. We end up in Georgetown where my sisters and mom are running around getting last minute things together. They load up their car and then all 12 of us head down the road. We were going my aunt and uncle's house for Thanksgiving dinner. We arrive just in time to eat, and spend time talking. My brother and his wife and son met us there, along with a bunch of other people I ad never laid eyes on, but somehow was related to in one way or another. My mom has a huge family.

Lunch was great, but I got tired of chasing Junior so Mel and I and three kids headed to the hotel. We stayed at the Drury Inn, and the staff was so nice! They had happy hour from 5:30-7 with three free drinks, so we made plans to go down there. My mom and sisters and kiddos arrive shortly after and we all headed down to happy hour.

My mom pulled out some leftover turkey and ham, but I couldn't bring myself to eat it since I knew it had not been refrigerated and it had been out of the oven for hours. My mom was less than pleased with us not eating. Luckily happy hour and food and we feasted.

After happy hour we decided to head down to the Christmas tree lighting in Post Oak. We got into our pajamas and started walking. We saw the fireworks and kept going even after we saw crowds or people returning to their cars and houses. We were quite a spectacle with all of us in pajamas moving along the busy streets. We wandered around for a little while and then headed back to the hotel. And then the fun began....

My mom kept my girls and Mel and I just had Junior. We were just about to go to sleep and then he puked. I went down stairs and the staff got me sheets, towels and blankets. I came back to find Mel changing Junior's clothes since he puked again. This went on all night, with many visits to the front desk for more supplies. We both got little to no sleep. At one point, Junior was hurling and my weak stomach couldn't take it anymore and I started to join him. Mel kicked me out to the bathroom and took care of Junior. Talk about a friend!

The next morning, Junior was fine, and so far so good, so are the rest of us. We spent yesterday at my brother's house eating leftovers and talking and talking and talking. Throw in 8 grandchildren and the house was busy.

The drive back was uneventful and today I am cleaning, organizing and getting ready to head over to my mom's to celebrate my sister's birthday. I have so much to do to get ready for school on Monday. Three more weeks till Christmas vacation!!!!

We're outnumbered by two

5 adults. 7 children.

Mel gets awarded friend of the year since she spent last night with me in a small hotel room and a barfy kid. Yep, leave it to Junior to get sick on this trip.

More later, but in true Gunner family style, we have left our mark.

More to follow....

Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving!

We are off on the road to head to Houston for two days of togetherness. That might be all I can handle.

Dinner wasn't anything special. It was thrown together, and last minute. The time with my BIL was nice, he's a nice guy. Junior was wanting juice and strawberries and his Oma was catering to his every whim. I just let him fuss and eat my dinner, and he tried to tell her the same thing, but it fell on deaf ears. Welcome to my world.

Tom did say that Junior is the spitting image of Gunner and acts just like him too. Now if only Gunner were around to enjoy this time too. He missed the age from 2-3 with Abs too. Good thing we quit while we were ahead or I would be doing this again and again and again and he would strategically arrange it so he wasn't around for the terrible two's with each of them.

Anyway, my inlaws have a long way to go with the house, but my MIL admitted to me that she doesn't like having so many dogs. Ya think? I told her that when she said she was going to keep 4 of the puppies. Insane.

Anyway here are some of the things I am thankful for:

Gunner
Em, Abs and Junior
My family
My friends
And this crazy life that is my own. Who could ask for anything more?

And the hits just keep coming

So my inlaws never showed up. Big surprise. So I loaded the kids up to take to the gym with me.

Stopped to get gas. Pumped gas all over me and the car. Leave there and go back by the house to get cleaned up and leave the check for the maid, which I had carried out of the house.

Had a great workout--I am way too competitive.

Took the kids to Blimpie because the maid was still cleaning. Had a nice lunch with no fighting.

Came home and put Junior down for a nap.

I just sat down to relax and I get a call from daycare. Junior's not even there today, but they want to let me know that his benadryl for his egg allergy is expired and I need to get him a new prescription in order for him to go to daycare. ARE YOU KIDDING ME????? It is Wednesday afternoon, I am getting ready to go out of town, I am a teacher and work from sunup till sundown, have three kids and a husband who is deployed and you are telling me now that my son will be denied care on Monday????

So of course I can't relax now. I called the daycare back to talk to the director, who is out on vacation, I hope she is able to relax. I asked for the assistant who told me that he wouldn't be able to come if he didn't have a prescription benadryl. I reminded her that it is an OTC medication and the only reason that one had the information on there was because I got it from a military doctor and all OTC medications are free. I told her I was upset because I am being notified at 2 o'clock on a Wednesday before a holiday about this and being told that my son can't receive care. She said sometimes they make extensions so I might be able to take him in Monday morning and then it would be okay. I told her again that I was a teacher and didn't have the luxury of just taking off whenever I wanted (especially with the rate we get sick around here). I told her that I needed more notice than this, etc. She gave me the number of the community health nurse.

So I call her, get her voice mail, and leave a message. Then I called back to the main number, explained my predicament and how I needed to know if I could take a bottle from the store and swap them out because if he was with a civilian doctor that is what I would have to do. They aren't sure, but they think so. They said that they will track down an answer for me. Let's hope so, because if I show up Monday morning and Junior is denied care I am going to lose it.

The girl called back and everyone is gone, enjoying their holidays. My MIL works on Mondays so that option is out. Since one virus can knock out 4 sick days alone, I can't really justify taking time off and then not being there when I am needed. I'll buy a bottle of benadryl and hope for the best.

I think I prefer overflowing toilets and exploding diapers over dealing with incompetent daycare people and crap like this.

And to think now I get to go have Turkey Day with the outlaws that stood my kids up earlier. They texted me to tell me to bring dessert if my kids wanted any. They don't, we'll have our Turkey Day tomorrow with all the trimmings. I am just hoping that they cleaned and I won't get sick!

Boring?

I was just telling my mom that I have had nothing to blog about because my life is so boring.

I spoke too soon.

Junior exploded all over himself, the floor, the world. How can one little boy make so much poop? It was awful. Gunner owes me.

The outlaws are coming to get the kids, so I decided I better make sure that my hooptie was cleaned out. I went out there, and it looked good minus a few odds and ends. I opened up the trunk to get a few things out and there it was. In the little recessed area in the trunk, a gigantic bottle of antifreeze had come open and filled it. Of course there was stuff in there. So I got my favorite cleaning supply next to towels--papertowels. I can now say I know how many paper towels it takes to clean up a mess like that. And bounty is not a very quick picker upper.

So I finally get all of that cleaned up and throw it away, but then the bag I dragged out to the car was heavy, so I decided to continue dragging it. Yep, trash all over the yard. I buy the ones that never seem to break, till now. So I clean up all the trash, come in, and notice a rash all over my arms from the antifreeze.

I did what any normal person would do and called my mom. She told me to read the bottle, but that seemed like more trouble to go back out through the trash, not to mention gross, so I declined and took a shower. So much for the gym. So the rash seems to be doing better once I got out of the shower, thank goodness as a trip to the er doesn't fit into my plans. I am getting dressed and decide to clean my ears. I do the first one with no problems, then lose the qtip part of the second one in my ear. (Yes, I know you shouldn't put qtips in your ears, but I like clean ears!) So now what do I do? Abs just took a look and didn't see anything. Em didn't see anything, and Junior was searching in the wrong ear but wanted to get in on the action. It kind of hurts now. I don't know if it is from the qtip or the kids smushing my "ear knob" to get a better view.


It's only 9:30 am.

Update: Abs was eating breakfast and came out of the kitchen with her shirt stuffed. I hated to ask, but I had to. She spilled applesauce on her shirt and didn't want it to get her sticky or wet, so she unrolled papertowels and folded them nicely to stuff up her shirt. I asked her why she didn't just change her shirt. Her response "I just didn't think of that".

Yesterday she was telling me about how much faster it was to travel in a straight line vs a curvy line. She showed me a real life example, then thought about it a while and declared "But a curvy line is much more fun". That it is Abs.

It never fails....

...the one day I can sleep in and Junior wakes up at 5. He didn't cry but played for about half an hour till he fell asleep again. I am wide awake.

...the one day I want to go to the gym and I can't find any of my sports bras. Is this a sign?

...the one day a week that the housekeeper comes and I am cleaning like a crazy woman.

...the one day I have off and I am going to go into school to work on stuff...maybe....

My friend Mel came over last night to hang out for a while and decompress. Her husband is deployed and she has no kids. I am not sure how hanging out at my house with three kids is decompressing. Junior loved her and climbed up in her lap to be read to with a bicycle helmet on. She just went with the flow and pretended that kids everywhere wear bicycle helmets for fun.

We are going to the outlaws tonight for Thanksgiving dinner. I am hoping that the dogs aren't around. Call me cold, but I have no desire for a pet of any kind. I have children that slobber on me, cough on me, barf on me, and poop on me. I clean up shampoo poured on the floor, flooded bathrooms and the dining room after the girls have been "creating". I've dealt with overflowing toilets, messy rooms, and hundreds of trips to the er. Who wants to add to the craziness?

Gunner called the other day--two days in a row, I almost died from the shock of it--and I asked him to send me 20 pictures of himself or something since it had been a while. The boy sent me a couple pictures of himself and then.......flies? I have a great shot of a flystrip with a 24 hour catch and a closeup of it all. I HATE flies, so I am still trying to figure out what he thinks I need with this. There were a couple of other things, but this meals looks great. Much better than the microwave meal I scrounged up and the ramen and leftovers I fed the kids!

I think I hear the rumblings from a certain Abs which means once she is up the whole house is up within seconds.....

Around the Hood

Em had her xylophone concert at school. She did a great job, especially from the hallway where I spent most of the time watching through a window. Junior was especially cranky and was trying to get on the stage to his sister. My mom was there, but she had to leave when during the last number Abs was unscrewing lightbulbs on the stage. Mental note to find a babysitter next time.

Abs has been especially whiny and after the concert incident, I asked her what her punishment should be. She thought about it for a while and she decided that she should lose tv until the 30th of December. I gave her till the 1st of January. She is able to earn back one day by behaving--so far she has only earned back one day, but at least she can start off 2009 on the right foot. Hopefully this will make an impression on her. Not much seems to have an effect on her. She's Gunner's kid.

Gunner's other kid believes that she is not loved because I make her do her homework, clean her room, go to bed at a decent hour, and I won't let her wear nail polish. Rough life.

Gunner's son has discovered fruit chews and is in heaven. I didn't realize that every time he asked for a set of "gummies" that Gunner's girls were giving him some. He polished off a gigantic box of 48 in a week. No wonder I have to change so many dirty diapers.

Only two days of school next week, I can't wait!

Are you ready for this???? The donut of misery is at 56% done, 44% to go if we stick with the 15 month deployment. If it goes to a year, then we are 70% done, 30% to go, which means the number of trash days I will have left is manageable--well sort of manageable.

My inlaws asked me weeks ago what I was doing for Thanksgiving. I told them that I was going to Houston. Today I had 5 missed calls from them and several texts wanting to make plans. Maybe I will tell them that we can do it Wednesday? Maybe I will spend Christmas with them or something.

Junior got the memo and slept in this morning. 9 hours of sleep. Perfect.

I am hitting the gym this week. Maybe today. Maybe Wednesday. Maybe after Thanksgiving? The donut of misery has motivated me to get moving because I don't have long to get it all together! I think I need a personal trainer.

Can I quit?

What was I thinking trying to have three kids and start a new career with no husband? At least single parents get every other weekend off or more if they don't have a deadbeat ex. I've had three nights off with no children, for which I am very thankful for, but I think I need a week. Greedy I know.

Had an observation today--mental note: shaving cream and children do not mix. I felt like crap today, and my day just seemed to go downhill. Went to a meeting with nothing that I needed. Went to PT where I found out that the OT authorization wasn't there--and don't even get me started on how it has taken TWO YEARS to get her in there! So I called and finally got it and an authorization number, so Abs had an OT eval. She wasn't terribly behind like she is in PT, but it's still a significant difference, so we now go from 5-6 on Tuesday and Thursday.

I was supposed to go to a math class tomorrow, but Em has xylophone practice till 4, which is when my class starts, so that's out. That would mean my inlaws would have to drive three places to get all the kids, which would be pushing my luck.

Junior screamed almost the entire time at PT and OT. It got worse when Abs stole his goldfish. Went to grab chinese food for me and I ordered the wrong meal. It's okay, but I had my heart set on something else. Got the kids whataburger since it was late. Junior's still screaming by this point.

Is someone out to get me and push me over the edge? Someone in my class said that if she was interviewed to see if she qualified as insane, she would pass with flying colors----I would qualify to be her roommate.

So here I sit watching Biggest Loser while I feel like one. I know my life could be worse, I know. I try to keep it all in perspective. Tomorrow is a new day......

Top Chef look out

I finally watched the first episode, and the military spouse didn't make the cut. I was disappointed. Not because I particularly liked her, but just for the connection.

Wonder if they will take me, I made a mean hotdog for dinner, complete with bun and ketchup. I even had sides of olives and pineapple. Doesn't get much better than that! (or at least in our house lately it doesn't!)

Not much happening here. Had class Saturday--only one more to go this semester.

Tons going on with school. Never a dull moment. I am observing one day this week at another school, and I am looking forward to sitting down (I hope!)

My mom kept all three kids all weekend long this past weekend. One night I studied and the other night I slept. I think she needs to do that once a month, right? Now to sell her on the idea! Any ideas on how to do that?

Not much from Gunner these days. My friend Mel's husband left 3 months after Gunner, and even though we still have 7 months left out of a 15 month deployment, she considers him coming home next week since it is so soon. It's all about perspective. Shoot, if I can make it through this first year of teaching, then it is right around the corner.

I asked daycare if Junior was interested in potty training there, and they told me he wasn't even close. His initial response when you ask him where you pee or poop, "the bathrub". Guess he is waiting on Gunner.

Abs has kept things interesting by emptying a bottle of shampoo outside of her sister's door. I asked her why she did it and her response was "I thought about it, and I can't recall having done it, so you might want to check with Em to see if she did it to herself." Geez.....

On a side note, I don't ever post recipes, but this is a great dip. I had to type it up for my sister to take to her book club (if there is a book club for people reading The Rainbow Fish, 5 million times a day, sign me up for that one) so you get to try it out. You'll love it.

Cranberry Salsa Dip with cream cheese
1-12 oz bag or 3 cups fresh cranberries rinsed and drained
1/4 c. minced green onions
2 small (approx 2 tbsp) jalapenos
1/2 c. sugar
1/4 c. fresh cilantro, minced
2 tbsp. finely grated fresh ginger
2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
2-8 oz packages cream cheese

Rinse, drain and pick over cranberries. Place them in a food processor; pulse until finely chopped, but not mushy. Place crushed cranberries in a bowl. Mix together with onions, jalapeno peppers, sugar, cilantro leaves, ginger and lemon juice. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 4 hours. Put over cream cheese and serve with crackers.

Just call me Betty Crocker.

Tonight's Festivities

No one liked dinner........check.
Abs flooded the bathroom......check.
House is a wreck......check.
Tons of homework to do for Saturday's class......check.

Baby with fever.......check.

Doctor tomorrow.....let's hope that they are open!

Reaction

Junior's reaction to all the political crap going on right now. Or the stock market......or maybe he just was tired....

World's Biggest Cowlick

My sweet baby boy. If I don't keep up with haircuts, then his gigantic cowlick sticks straight up. There's no taming this thing.....he sure is cute though!

Another Wife

My husband works closely with the IA (Iraqi Army). Most of them have more than wife, and tell him that he should have more wives and more children. He just looks at them and tells them that he is done having kids and one wife is more than enough. If he does change his mind, I'd love for him to get one that would cook and clean for us. Hopefully she rubs feet too, and loves to fold laundry.

Mourning

Can I wear all black tomorrow to show my disgust?

A good thing....

It's a good thing Gunner didn't call today.

I got the kids up this morning and Abs decided that her underwear just wasn't working for her, so she would play legos instead.

Finally got the underwear issued straightened out, kids dropped off, and headed to school.

Got situated in school when the phone rings. Junior has fallen and busted open his head. My inlaws have been called and are on the way to get him and take him to the er.

A million phone calls follow as I try to make sure he is okay and they can get treatment for him. They could, although my school was more than willing to provide coverage for me so I could go take care of him if I needed to.

His head glued back together, he headed back to daycare.

School continues. Is there a full moon? Oh the stories I could tell about school.

Grab Em, leave school, grab Junior. Rush home to get things ready for my mom and brother and nephew who are going to babysit while I attend a class. Junior looks good and never skipped a beat till he told me about his owie and all of the sudden was so sad and upset about it...then he raced off.

I came home and found a citation for not having mowed my lawn. Went to my class and called to check on the kids when I was on the way home and heard Abs upset that she couldn't eat a can of olives for dinner. There had been a hassle trying to find Abs after school today too. I seriously contemplated driving around while my mom put them to bed, but thought better of it since I have class next week too, and a test this Friday.

Came home and mowed my lawn while my brother weedeated. No telling what it will look like in the morning since I couldn't see a thing.

Had a beer. The grading will have to wait, I think I need another.

How to eat chocolate cake

Happy Halloween!

The girls didn't stay still long enough to snap too many pictures. It didn't take long for Junior to get the hang of trick-or-treating and we have an obscene amount of candy. We walked by one house that had Obama/Biden signs up and my children refused to go up there to get any candy. The next day, Abs mentioned that the reason she didn't go up there was because there was the possibility of them poisoning their candy since they obviously were voting the wrong way. I did explain to her that they wouldn't poison their candy just because they were democrats, that they were just stupid.

Speaking of elections, I never did make it over to early vote, so I will be out at the polls on Tuesday with all three children in tow. I think I can fit it in after school, after physical therapy and before bath time. I hope the lines aren't too long. Gunner got his absentee ballot and mailed it off immediately. What a good Soldier he is...plus he called, which always scores points.

Hanging out in the Hood

I got this email from Ab's teacher today:

hey, I think one of my girls had static cling on Tuesday morning. I found underwear on the floor of the room. I had a sneaky suspicion that it might be Ab's because of the look on her face. So if she's missing a pair... I threw it away... :-)

Poor kid can't catch a break! To her defense, I send a change of clothes in her backpack each day, so I assured the teacher that she wasn't going "commando". On the subject of Abs, she did her own hair this morning. It was interesting to say the least. It's been a while since she had done one of her infamous hairstyles. Pictures of that to come.

Em is 11 going on 21 now. She knows everything. I can hardly wait till she is officially a teenager. Every morning when we get in my classroom she wants the tv on, the radio going, and to be hooked up to the internet. It's my calm before the storm, so I can't handle all the noise. She is a big help with getting everything ready though most days. My students love her, and she pretends like they don't exist, but waves at her fan club every once in a while to maintain the attention.

Junior has learned to take off his pajamas. I found him wrapped in a blanket the other morning. The first words out of my mouth were....."thank goodness you kept your diaper on". I tucked him in tonight, and went in to check on him because he was laughing so hard. He had undressed himself again. Never a dull moment.

Not a lot of news from Gunner. He sent a short email saying that they had access to the internet briefly and would call in a bit. That was a few days ago. I know, I know, military wives from other wars waited months for letters. Still wish he would call though....I've given up on the letters.

I'm thankful that tomorrow is Friday. Never mind my lesson plans, preparing for my pedagogy test the following weekend, a birthday party, taking care of three kids, projects for school, getting back to the gym, and organizing my "important piles" that have taken over my piano....I do plan on sleeping in till at least 6 both days too.....I'm sure there's more, but that's a few things to keep my mind off of everything else I need to do!

UPDATE:

Bouncing baby boy fell asleep naked. Got him dressed and now I hear him fussing. He's probably undressing himself again. Gunner's boy.

Flu shots

I get a flu shot every year, and I make the kids get them too. This year they were offering the flumist at our school, so Em and I got it. I feel like crap. I never have any side effects from the shot, I should have stuck with what I knew. They say that the flumist is better, so we will see. I get sneezed on, snotted on, coughed on and spit on all day long between my students and my kids. I still need to hook Junior and Abs up.

Em and Abs have decided that if they win the lottery they want to buy the Blue Hanger. Geez.

Had mexican food with the kids, my mom and my sister tonight.

I have a ton of work to do for my graduate classes, but not even sure where to start. Anyone know of any good children's literature that I can use to write social studies lessons?

I spent the morning with Ab's teacher going over the finer points of guided reading, ARI & AMI. Still so much to learn.

Abs is doing GREAT in PT. Thank goodness.

Em is headed with my mom to go to my nephew's baptism. I was going to go, but it would be a hard trip on Junior.

Haven't heard from Gunner since Thursday. I miss him.

I'm off to bed and I hope the kids sleep in tomorrow before we start our day of errands, girl scouts and cleaning...oh my!

Once upon a time....

there was a young girl who had stars in her eyes and fell in love with a man in uniform. They wed and moved to Germany. The man in uniform deployed for 12 months to Bosnia. Said Soldier returned to happy wife and they had a beautiful bouncing baby girl. The happy couple moved to Fort Lewis, Washington. There they spent their days hiking, biking, and being happy. The joyful couple decided that baby girl #1 was almost 4, it was time to add to their happiness. After a JRTC adventure, the happy couple added another bouncing baby girl. The now happy family of 4 continues the army adventure. The happy family moves to "The Great Place" (anyone currently stationed here probably knows where I hear that every day) and the cute Soldier deploys to Iraq for 12 months. During this lonely time, bouncing baby girl #2 manages to wipe poop on the wall, empty a 2 gallon bottle of olive oil and mix it with a Sam's size box of detergent, coat herself and the couch in desitin, and wreak havoc everywhere. Soldier returns to his happy, but tired family. The once young girl decides two is such fun, why not add to the excitement and shortly before Soldier deploys, she finds out she is expecting baby #3.

With stars still in her eyes, she sends her Soldier off to Iraq again for 12 months on tour #2. Bouncing baby boy arrives while he is home on R&R. 5 months later he returns home for good. With no stars in her eyes, said now old girl, races Soldier to nearest hospital to be fixed. So now fixed Soldier heads off to Iraq for the third time. Life is plugging along...

Beautiful bouncing baby girl #2 has managed to flood the house. Her brothers room had water all in it, the carpet is soaked, the hallway is flooded......and amazingly the bathroom is dry. Now tired old wife has three children nestled into bed, 25 soggy towels--yes, I have that many on hand for reasons such as this--and what once would have made her cry, now makes her laugh.

And through her tears of laughter she is checking out goarmy.com in the hopes that she can deploy when her Soldier returns home.

Section 60

I got a copy of the show to screen, and it was hard to watch. I shed more than a tear or two. Lots of tears. I actually watched it with my mom, but I need to watch it again by myself.

The story showed section 60 of Arlington National Cemetery, a sad, somber place in itself. To watch these families come and mourn their loved ones was heartbreaking. From the man who comes to sleep on his son's grave, to the baby taking her first steps, the the little girls singing happy birthday to their dad on what would have been his 30th birthday.....

As families come to visit their fallen Soldier, they comfort one another knowing exactly what the other is going through. Small rocks are left on the headstone to let the families know that someone was there to visit their Hero. Abs has always collected rocks wherever she goes and the last time we went to visit my dad, she out a few of her treasured rocks on my dad's headstone.

While Gunner was still here, we have talked on several occasions about where he wanted to be buried in case something happened. Not a conversation I thought I would ever have so young, but one that has been necessary.

The show airs tonight on HBO.

Section 60: Arlington National Cemetery

After Chris returned from Iraq the second time, we took a family vacation to Washington DC. Our first stop was Arlington National Cemetery. I was speechless. From the changing of the guards, the sunset, the view, the history.....pictures don't even describe the emotions you feel when you arrive and walk around. Unfortunately we know people that are now buried in Arlington...but we are also fortunate, because we were honored to know them and my husband was honored to serve with them. I'm setting the DVR for this. It's something we all should watch.

Section 60: Arlington National Cemetery

Publish Post

is the third in a trilogy of Iraq-related HBO documentaries (following the Emmy-winning “Baghdad ER” and the Emmy nominated “Alive Day Memories: Home from Iraq”) from Jon Alpert and Matthew O’Neill which provides rare, intimate glimpses of the loss, love and pride felt by the Section 60 visitors. Capturing the sights and sounds of this quiet pocket of Arlington National Cemetery, mourners ranging from young widows and family members to fiancés and fellow soldiers visit Section 60 to try and connect in spiritual and physical ways with the loved ones they’ve lost. Whether it’s a father camping out at his son’s grave with a bottle of bourbon and a cigar or a widowed mother whose daughter just learned how to walk, Section 60: Arlington National Cemetery comprises vignettes of these individual stories shot from early morning to sundown (when the site officially closes).

Since the Civil War, Arlington National Cemetery has been the nation’s preeminent burial ground for military personnel. Over 300,000 people are buried in an area of more than 600 acres, including veterans from all the nation’s wars. Funerals average 28 a day, with about 6,400 burials annually. Nearly four million people visit Arlington each year.

You can preview the documentary here: http://www.hbo.com/docs/programs/section60/index.html

Happy Birthday and the girl in the dryer

11 years ago today Gunner and I became parents for the first time.

He left me alone in a hospital in Germany to race on the autobahn to get my mom from the airport. I was not happy about that, but it all worked out and he made it back in time.

Em was the perfect little baby, never crying, potty trained early, and was content to let me tell her about the finer points of strategic management as I finished up my MBA. She was only 8 lbs 6 1/2 oz when she was born, but by three months she was a butterball at 20 pounds. They talked about putting her in physical therapy because she was so fat she couldn't roll over. In the end it all worked out.

I couldn't imagine the last 11 years without her...although there are times when I really thought I was going to lose it. Isn't that how it is supposed to be though? (Of course I was a perfect child for my mom, so I am sure she never felt that way, lol)

Happy Birthday Em! Because I am late, you can see pictures here.

And want to know why at 7 years old I still lay out Ab's clothes??? Tomorrow she can wear regular clothes because she has never been tardy. I told her to find some clothes and come put them in the living room. She walked out with pink came capri pants and a white shirt that she had wrapped around in criss cross fashion across her chest and it tied in back. I vetoed it. She balked. I told her to go look in the laundry room, and she rooted around for a while in the clean clothes. (have I mentioned that I hate to fold laundry?) She then asked me if the clothes in the dryer were clean. I assured her they were and went back to what I was doing. Ten minutes later I had to go check on her.

I walked in the laundry room to find my dear Abs in the dryer.

Me: What are you doing?
Abs: I'm hanging out in the dryer.
Me: Should I ask why?
Abs: Probably not.
Me: Seriously, why are you in the dryer.
Abs: I've always wanted to hang out in here and see what it is like.
Me: Are you done?
Abs: Yeah, it's not very exciting in here.
Me: I can only imagine.

My desire to have a front loading washer has diminished. No telling what I would find in there.

Tuesday

How's that for a blog title. Shows how little imagination I have right now.

Abs started PT today. I was curious as to what her age equivalency was for the different areas, and let's just say if I hadn't been in public I would have cried. My poor baby! I knew that the 7 months she was out of therapy was going to work against her, and it did.

Coordination--was actually above in this area (8.3-8.5)
Gross motor--4 year old
Balance, muscle strength--5 year old

They had a lot more categories that were all in the early 5 year old range. Doesn't look too bad until you realize that in 5 months she will be 8 years old. It's not stuff that you really notice unless you know to look for it. It still bothers me though. They are going to put in a referral for OT as well and hopefully get started on her fine motor skills. Since that hasn't been addressed at all, I wonder how far behind she is in that arena. Poor kiddo.

I finally got arrangements made for this weekend. Em and I are booked at a nice hotel in Dallas, and the other two kiddos will be spending the night with Grandma. Oh the stories she will be able to blog about, lol. Whenever I need a good laugh I go read this and this and this and this again.

Tonight is Biggest Loser. I would love to have months with a trainer. I really should use my gym membership, but I have so little time with the kids now, that I hate to waste time on myself. I need to get back in the swing of it, at least twice a week. I'm worth it, right?

And why is daycare closed when school is open? Ugh....

7 month itch

We are about to hit 7 months of this deployment.

It sucks.

I know that a lot of people hear from their spouses every day, but I don't. I'm excited that Wednesday is Em's birthday because it means that we will get a phone call. Sad but true.

We went to the grocery store tonight--HEB. Em tells me at 5:30 that she needs clay and toothpicks to make wigwams out of at school tomorrow. Of course that led to perusing the aisles of HEB and buying more than I intended. I get my food hoarding habits from my mom.

After the adventure during rush hour at the grocery store, we got into the car to head home, where the girls started fighting and next thing you know there was a sippy cup flying. I about lost it. Yeah, these are the best days of my life?

I went to Ab's parent teacher conference today. Abs was supposed to get a referral, but luckily her teacher understands her and knew that she wasn't being malicious when she found the crayon on the carpet and decided to color the floor. The principal made her scrub the floor until it came up. I made the teacher feel better when I told her about how Abs spread poop all over the principal's office at her old school. Yeah, Gunner was gone for that too.

I.miss.Gunner. Plain and simple. I know he has an important job, or so I keep telling myself. I just want him home. I'm not one to sit at home waiting on him and doing nothing. I have been productive while he's been gone.

I did 2-5k's and 1 10k.
Went to school and have 1/2 of another master's degree done
Only lost 5 pounds, and but only been in the last two weeks.
Kept 3 children alive and well for 7 months. (That's a HUGE accomplishment some days!)
Junior has tubes.
Abs is back in PT starting tomorrow.
I am headed out of town for the weekend with Em for her birthday, if I ever get a hold of the reservation line.

Life goes on, but I sure miss Gunner...

Picture Day

I usually never buy school pictures because I hate to pay that much money.

This year since I am an employee I get them half price. I can live with that. I ordered Em's. The next day it was Ab's turn, and since she usually wears uniforms, she got to wear civilian clothes for the big day. I dressed her in a cute pair of jeans and a nice shirt which had a hood. The morning of, her sister threw a brush at her and Abs was left with a huge bruise on the top of her forehead along to her temple. I get an ice pack and we were on our way.

After school I asked Abs how the picture taking went and she told me that it was fine. I had fixed her hair in the morning, but she was wearing it in a mess of a ponytail by the time I got to her. She assured me that it didn't matter though since she wore her hood. Her hood???? So now I will have a hundred copies (not really) of Abs with a hood on and a giant bruise. I'm sure that her kids will love to hear this story one day.

Daily Life

I teach 2nd graders. We are doing a unit on government and the elections. One of the little girls told me that her family was voting for Obama. I cringed, but one of my loud little boys said "You've got to be kidding me!". Guess you know how his parents are voting!

The other day Em was headed outside to leave, Junior was holding the screen door open and Abs was getting ready to go outside when Abs started screaming. I ran over to see what the matter is, finally get her calmed down, and she tells me "a creature just ran in the house". I start to panic.

A creature? I immediately start thinking that I need to stay home from work and imagine all the cleaning I will have to do until I catch the "creature". I start drilling Abs on what the creature is. A rat? A mouse? Stray cat? She tells me it is HUGE. I start to feel sick. I keep trying to figure out what it is while moving furniture and trying to find it. Then she tells me that it was the biggest gecko she had ever seen. My heart starts beating again and I abandon the search.

The girls had a Girl Scout meeting on Sunday. It's a new troop so Em hasn't said much of anything at the meetings, and I am not there to run interference. The leader pulled me aside when I went to pick them up. Never a good sign. Apparently the leader was talking to the girls about different things that they wanted to do. Em sat there quietly. Finally the leader called on Em and Em answered "I want to blow things up". The leader started to wonder what I had given her. The leader asked what kind of things she wanted to blow up. Em sat there quietly. The leader starts to panic. Em answers "mentos and diet coke". Whew. Another crisis averted.

Abs has started in her 5th grade reading class and so far so good. Wonder what they will do with her when she gets to 3rd grade.

Things I have heard

I was out of Junior's toothpaste the other day and asked Abs where hers was so he could use it. Her response was said nonchalantly "Oh, I haven't had any in a long time." Ewwww.....

I broke down and had the maid come. I love it. So nice and clean.

I asked Em to lay out her clothes for tomorrow and she drug out something she wore a few days ago. I told her to find something clean. Apparently I am the only mother out that that requires her children to wear clean clothes to school. Imagine that.

I was washing the dinner dishes and I looked up to find Junior eating olives off the floor. I called for him, and Abs said "at least the floor is clean this time."

I wonder what they will remember about me when I am gone.

Dreams

I used to have dreams, lots of them. I used to get enough sleep so that I could have them. Now I have about 6 hours on a good night, so my dreams are few and far between.

This past month I have had two that stand out.

The first one was where my dad bought me a porsche and it was tall enough so that I could stand up in it. I had it parked outside of my new house. That dream didn't last long, and I woke up to my beloved toyota, aluminum siding and linoleum. It works.

My second dream......overflowing toilets. It was so real. When I woke up I figured we were bound to have one, but knock on wood, none yet.

Emily is settling into my school and so far, so good. Abs is staying out of trouble in SAS, minus the throwing incident. Junior is Junior and has mastered the art of the temper tantrum.

I scrubbed the dining room floor in a few spare moments I found, and now won't let the kids in there for fear it will get messy. Guess I'll have to break down and let them eat in there eventually, but no rush.

Gunner called today and all is well. He reached us during lunch at whataburger and was treated to the girls fighting over the funnels that came with the kids meals, Junior dumped a tub of ketchup on his burger, covered it with fries, and then tried to eat it while I was getting drinks. He says he misses us, but all the action that ensued in a 20 minute conversation probably made him tired.....and he can nap.....don't get me started on that one!

I can't have the maid back till I clean. I sure hope I can get it together soon. I need the break.

Grades due tomorrow. I had my first observation last week from my university supervisor. I think she was totally distracted during the 50 minute lesson because of the SIX new students that came in, the nurse taking the kids out 4 at a time for vision screening, one getting taken out for another test, and normal classroom dynamics. It was chaos, but I got a great rating, so there's hope for me!

And I am hopelessly addicted to the goodwill outlet. I bought a bag, washed it, and found $2 in my washer! I was excited, so I stuck it in the dryer, where an additional $21 came out. Can't beat that!

Happy Birthday Gunner!

You were such a young spring chicken when I met you, but damn you still look good!

We love you and miss you!!! Sorry the package will be late--okay I haven't even mailed it, lol. You didn't marry me for my organizational abilities, or lack thereof!

Sorry you aren't here to celebrate with us, but know that you are in our hearts. We'll go out to dinner for you. :)

In honor of your birthday, Abs knocked a gallon of milk out of the fridge on to the floor and made a giant mess. Junior pooped in the tub. The toilet got backed up. Em....well so far so good, but who knows what tomorrow holds......(knock on wood)

For Gunner

Gunner called last week--twice in one day! I was in shock! He has been calling about once every 10 days since he left, so that's not too bad. He complained that I don't update my blog more frequently. Ummm.....hmmmm.....maybe because I am busy taking care of children, working, going to school???

So Gunner, here's an update:

Em--seems to be enjoying her new school. It was only one day, so can't expect too much. They are reading a book and since she hadn't read it yet, she got to start reading it while they did the work with it for the week. Em finished the book during that time. The class is only on chapter 5.

Abs--what is there to say??? She is Abs. She was convinced there was an ant in her bed the other day and so every time I went to see if she was asleep, she was curled up at the top of her bed, sitting up. I told her to go potty, straightened her covers and told her I got the ant. Don't know why it didn't work when I did it earlier. She slept. At her school they are allowing her to go up to 5th grade for reading since she is so advanced. It's nice that they will do that.

Junior--he has mastered the art of temper tantrums. He must take after you. Yesterday he woke up and took off his pajamas. He had pooped so luckily he didn't take off his diaper. When I put him in there later, he took the diaper off too. Thank goodness he had just peed. I did the taking off the diaper and wiping poop everywhere the first deployment with Abs. Think the army will consider this an emergency and send you home???

Me--My 5 new students are pretty good. I am tired and worn out, but I don't have my school until the 27th. Good thing since I have done nothing for it. It's on my list. We are headed out in a bit to run errands and head up to school to get things done. One day I will be organized! I am still cleaning so that the maid can come back. Oh, we got a new fence. Probably a good thing since the other one would have been destroyed in the wind on Saturday.

Ike didn't hit here at all. I was hoping for a good thunderstorm. On the other hand I don't want to have to mow the grass!

The girls are watching Captain Planet. Junior pronounces Tia's baby's name as "rabbit". The german bakery is closed, so no treats for the next two weeks. The girls have Girl Scouts today. Martha is pregnant. (yes, you read that right! LOL)

Everything else is fine. We miss you and love you Gunner!

Dallas Airport

Since this is Gunner's third time in Iraq, he has flown through the Dallas airport numerous times. Every single time he has been treated extremely well by the USO and the other travelers as they rush from place to place to make connections. When Gunner left from here almost two weeks ago, he arrived in Dallas, hungry and ready for lunch.

Knowing he had a bit of time, he just headed over to McDonald's to grab something to eat. He say down and was quietly enjoying his meal when a lady came over and sat near him. She proceeded to tell him that she supported the troops but.......the war was wrong. The idiotic lady went on to tell him how the war was about oil, gas prices weren't coming down, and Bush was an idiot. She didn't stop there and continued to fill Gunner's ears with her political views when all he wanted to do was eat his lunch, think about having just said goodbye to his family, and about what lay ahead.

My quiet husband spoke. He told her why we were there. He explained why he believed in the mission. He talked about his political views. Gunner then told her that he had just said goodbye to his wife and three kids that morning, for another 9 months. He told her how he understood how precious time was, and he wasn't going to waste his time on her. Gunner got up and walked away. She said nothing.

To the lady at DFW....if you support the troops, all you need to do is say thank you. Leave out the but.......

Today

I called and talked to the principal at Em's school and she said she would talk to her teacher. Her teacher called me this afternoon and was smug and arrogant. I was not impressed. He said he was human and makes mistakes and that he did apologize to Emily. I had already talked to Emily though and she said she would give up her after school clubs and move to my school. After talking to her teacher, I would have insisted she be moved tomorrow anyway, so I told him I was moving her to my school and he was even ruder. Whatever. Let's hope it works out. I stress about these situations so much. I always have self-doubt. I just worry that she will miss out on something important with her clubs, something that might change who she is or make her excel at something. There aren't any clubs at my school. I try to balance it out with how she will have a much better environment at my school, but the doubt still wins over. I have to give two weeks notice for SAS, so I lose money there, but we have a lady at our school that takes care of teacher's kids for an hour after school each day for $10 a week. Talk about a steal. I'll still have to pay the big bucks for Abs and Junior though.

I'm so tired today. How long till I retire?

Teachers

I picked Em up from school today and she was upset.

Apparently she got in trouble for talking so her teacher made her copy 4 pages of a book as a punishment. So right off the bat I am upset that they used writing as a form of punishment.

Emily did the assignment along with another friend, and it amounted to 7 pages handwritten. They take it up to the teacher....he looks at it.....crumples it up.....uncrumples it.....then rips it to shreds and throws it away.

Are you kidding me????

Phone call to the school tomorrow. I tried to talk to someone when I picked them up, but she was about as bright as a turnip. Ugh....

Routine

While Gunner was home, I was cuddling Junior after a temper tantrum, and I just whispered into his ear that soon we would be back to normal. I felt horribly guilty after I said it. We love having Gunner home. (Although after battling "the list" every day, I wonder if he is actually getting more R&R in Iraq) The 18 days he was here were wonderful, but it wasn't permanent, and so it kind of through a loop into our routine. A good loop, but a loop nonetheless. I wouldn't have traded it for anything, but....does this make sense?

So we are back in our routine. Junior is back in daycare and so far we are entering the second week of no antibiotics. He has been on them since the beginning of the year, nonstop, and so this my friend is AMAZING! I did buy an ear band/it recommended by my friend Abbey and he now loves to wear it, and calls it his "band". His speech has taken off and improved dramatically too. Very reassuring. Tonight at dinner he was eating and then coloring his "homework" as he called it (since I was on Abs to do something in her homework packet). I went over to take him to the tub and he had pulled off his diaper because he pooped and it fell out everywhere. Of course he peed too. Little stinker. He acted surprised, like he didn't know what he had done.

Abs had a rough two weeks at school, but seems to be settling in. They had a homework assignment one night that had her researching like a crazy person. The problem read: "Dinosaur claws are twelve inches long. Lupe says they are 14 inches long. Is Lupe right?" So the point was to see if twelve and 14 were the same number (word vs number), which of course they aren't in this problem. Abs read the problem, cried research, and took off. I went into her room when she didn't come out and she was trying to determine if Lupe had a leg to stand on, because we don't know if the claws weren't 14 inches long, and Lupe was right. I tried to explain to her that we weren't questioning scientific facts, but trying to determine if she knew that twelve was different than 14 and if twelve and 12 were the same. She reluctantly agreed to answer the questions being asked for face value.

Em is doing well in school I guess. Now that she's in 5th grade she is secretive about what she does. I'll have to email her teacher, although I am still considering moving her to my school--more on that later. She is joining the robotics club and wants to be on the competition team as well. She is growing up way too fast, and she thinks she is already a teenager. I keep finding my nail polish in her room and such. I'm not ready for this!

Gunner is back in Iraq, and I have a story about his trek back for another post.

When I was hired, I was told that I was the "extra" teacher. Basically they have so many students that they thought they could get away with an extra teacher this year. That being said, I knew that if we didn't have the numbers that I would be moved to another school or grade. Well someone in the school district decided that we didn't have the numbers and we needed to move a teacher to another school for 3rd grade. Not a bad deal (although I would prefer to stay where I am). I could have done that, although not ideal. The principal fought and got to keep the teacher, and move her to....KINDERGARTEN. God help me! I am not cut out for Kindergarten. Thankfully another teacher volunteered to move, so I get to remain in 2nd grade, but I am getting 5 more students, even after having transferred out 2 in the last two days and getting a new one.

So I am up to my ears in paperwork, dirty diapers, washing everything to alleviate the worms spreading (no one told me how long to keep this up, but I have the feeling I am quitting soon), barney videos, and keeping my tween from becoming a teen. School started last Saturday so in my spare time I have a presentation to plan, several papers to write, a project to do, and tons more. You would think that I would be skinny as a rail from stress. Go figure.

And then there were 4....and The Ridiculous Shoe Problem

Goodbyes are never easy, especially after 18 days of togetherness.

Gunner left bright and early this morning as I headed off to work and took the kids to daycare before school.

Some pictures....





This afternoon when we got home, I got a notice saying that Abs was out of dress code. She goes to a public school, but they require uniforms. Last year I bought her a pair of shoes and she wore them for a few weeks. Summer came and she went back to her sandals and the tennis shoes sat. Once school was about to begin, I had her try them on and they still fit, so she was happy wearing them. A plain pair of nikes.

Imagine my surprise when I got a notice stating that "Your child was out of compliance in the following manner: Shoes--solid color." So I look on the back of the paper to see what the proper procedures are for tennis shoes. It says "Any solid color sneaker (accent colors on tennis shoes are acceptable) or velcro, loafer style, or laced shoe. No neon colors, lights, noisemakers, or rollers." It goes on to say "Shoelaces must match shoes in color or must be white. No flip-flops, sandals, high heels, clogs, or platform shoes. Athletic shoes are required on PE days. Must be worn with socks or tights....."

So I just don't get it. Abbie's shoes are white (although they could stand to have a washing) and the swooshes are a different color which would fall under the accent colors. So basically if she goes to school next week with these shoes on she will be sent home until she complies with the dress code. I think she might be switching to my school which doesn't require uniforms if it comes to that. I'm not buying a new pair of shoes when she might really need a pair in a few months. She also wore these shoes at the end of last year, and there were no complaints. Geez....

Am I losing my mind or is this ridiculous?

Thursday will make 39 trash days left. Slowly but surely.....

Random Thoughts

I survived my first week. All children are still alive, they think I am wonderful, beautiful and the best teacher ever. I definitely have my work cut out for me, but it is fun and different every day.



Palin as the VP--okay.



Gunner leaves soon.



I still haven't gotten a Wii. I should do it while Gunner is here so he can hook it up. Problem is they are out of stock everywhere.



The girls had a great first week of school. Abs has gotten in trouble every day for talking. She has the same teacher for last year and I really like her. Em has a male teacher this year, and she really likes him.



Junior had tubes put in his ear. He's been miserable since it happened. Hopefully improvement is around the corner.



I start class next Saturday. At least I know the workload will be less than over the summer. It's all good.



Junior got a hold of a permanent black marker and decorated the couch and the wall. I guess at least it wasn't desitin. Gunner's going to try steam clean it today.

Abs is reading Harry Potter and loving it.



Gunner's list has not been completed. Maybe I was too ambitious? He has changed every diaper since he came home, so I will cut him some slack. (Update: I had to get one this morning, so no slack!)

I had my grass cut for free by the organization that contracts for free mowings for military families. I'll find the link and post it.

I met some friends from my program for drinks after we got our computer the other day. It was nice. Our topics sure have changed!

I went and had my haircut last night and straightened. My hair is sooooo curly, it took two people over an hour to straighten it.

Gunner had a sleepover with the girls last night. This morning he assured me that he will be sleeping on a bed next time.

A long, long, long time ago, today, a beautiful, bouncing baby girl was born in Australia. She was the light of her parent's life and adored by her siblings.....or so she likes to imagine. :)

Wordless Wednesday

We start them early in our family.... he was puzzled as he watched some of the speakers during the DNC. Couldn't believe what came out of their mouths....

Make some money

Together again after deployment?



Researchers from the University of Texas at Austin are looking for couples to participate in a study about the transition from deployment to being reunited at home.


Couples will be paid $100 for participating in this study.


All participant information is completely confidential. This study consists of a two hour session, then two 20-minute internet questionnaires one month and six months later. Couples will receive $20 after the first session and $80 after the one-month followup.

Couples must be 18 or older, married for at least one year, reunited for between 2 and 18 months after a deployment, and not planning to deploy again in the next 2 months


For more information and to see if you qualify, go to: www.utpsyc.org/army
Or contact the research team members at: jenna@mail.utexas.edu

What next you ask?

Tonight we got home late and Abs ran to the bathroom. She came out and wanted to tell her dad about what she saw in her poop. Em started shrieking about how gross she was, and Gunner didn't want to hear it either. Of course being the mother that I am, I wanted to hear all about it.

And what did she see?

Gold star? No.

Acorn? No.

White worms? Yes.

I figure she has pinworms. I am disgusted. My poor little baby. So from the research she needs medication. Of course she is seen in Temple and her doctor doesn't work on the weekends. One of the drawbacks of keeping her with a civilian. So tomorrow morning I will send Gunner off to the er with Abs to get medication. I really should be mean and make him take all three kids, a bottle of sanitizer, some snacks, and make a day out of it--goodness knows I have done that almost every weekend he was gone!

UPDATE:
Well we did the scotch tape test after Abs had fallen asleep and sure enough, it is pinworms. Poor little girl. It was really gross. I think A Soldier's Wife is right, I am sure we will laugh about this.....one day.

Sad News

My friend Heather.

I wrote about her a while back here.

Heather was very vocal about her fight with colon cancer, but on August 20th, 2008, at the age of 30, she passed away. As a single mom, she worked, raised children, and became an advocate for colon cancer screenings for those that couldn't afford them. She was a beautiful person both inside and out, and her friendship has always meant a lot to me.

Our thoughts and prayers are with her family, especially Caleb and Gabby.