Always something

Seems like there is always something that is nagging at me.....
This thing with Owen's teeth is really getting to me emotionally. I am trying so hard to be a good mom, and I know some say....just relax, but when I do....things happen....like cavities. Owen goes in 2 weeks for his first part of his dental work. Fillings under nitrous oxide. And the lady informed me it'll take 2-4 visits to complete everything because they aren't all in the same area and children can only receive so much N.O. at one time. okay. I feel confident because he's a pediatric dentist and was very pleased with him the last time we had to see him. We are preparing Owen for that, which will be shy of a week from when we return from our trip. I hope he does well. It's always a mom's thing to worry about the kiddos though.

While we are on the teeth subject.....Owen has a lose tooth, has for a few months now. But darn it I wish it would just fall out. But then I am not prepared. See we just ordered a book from the school book order on the tooth fairy and I need to get someone to help me make a tooth fairy pillow. I know why all these extras. Because he's a child and I want to keep my kids kids until I absolutely can't. Just like our house is decorated for Valentine's Day, it will be for st.Patrick's day and the leprechaun will come, just like the elf came, it's fun silly stuff that makes having kids so much fun.

Lydia had speech today and LOVES Miss.Betsy. They did a heart craft and worked on saying F sounds. FUH for FUN and stuff like that. She has been able to wear dresses the last few days because of this heat wave weather we're having. What a mild winter compared to last year. Wish we had planned on doing more this winter. Lydia said a classmates name today for the first time, I made her repeat it....SIERRA! YAY! We have a friend. We got to school this morning. I was helping her get settled, she pulled away from me and said "bye mom, I'm going to play with Sierra". AWWWW My heart melted 1/because she made a friend 2/she said her name (she doesn't really communicate that she knows those things to us) and 3/ that she pulled away from me. tear tear!

Troy went to the eye doctor today for an exam. Which it's been 2 years, and the one eye changed a little. I know he would like LASIK surgery some day, and I hope that we can do that for him. He's had glasses since he was in 2nd grade I think he said. I could be wrong. I've had mine since I was 20. So 10 years and Ive had enough of them already. I went last March for the first time in 3 years and they hadn't changed, so I bought contacts and saved my 'glasses card' til the end of this month when I am ordering a new pair.

Troy and I got to go to dinner for our anniversary on Saturday night. Was so nice to get away, alone, uninterrupted meal. We had to wait 30 minutes, but neither of us cared. We went to Hickory Grille. I'm a coupon'r so you all know. If you sign up for Springfield's newsletter, they'll send you an anniversary printable email for a free appetizer AND when it's your birthday they do the same...but it's dessert! So we ate for $25.00! yahoo. salad, bread, appetizer, 2 meals, Troy had a beer, me water and both of us got dessert. Now I call that being SMART!

Well enough rattling...one More thing to share. Tonight I actually captured this picture, Owen's getting to where he doesnt' want me to take his picture. But this is something about 6 months ago he started helping me do. Was grate the cheese for me. Well I already had the cheese done for the tacos tonight. So I had him do the cheese for tomorrow nights dinner....Chicken Mozzarella.

i'll post something special tomorrow.....

Hair...Teeth....lost child.....

I know it's been a while since I've last posted, sorry. Was wanting to do that a few days ago.
The kids went and got haircuts the beginning of this week. They look ADORABLE! I always love a fresh good haircut.

Last week I started a new journey....dieting! GASP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I tried Weight Watchers a couple of times and never could stick more than 3 weeks with it. But I am making myself do this, because I need to for me, for my kids, for my husband, for my health. So at Week #1 weigh in I was down......3 pounds. YAY And I even had pizza, ice cream, etc. See dieting isn't so bad. Just have to really want it and be willing to sacrifice some things. So every morning after I put Owen on the bus I sit and eat my oatmeal. This is what is staring at me....................

I keep telling her I am sure her food would be better, but she always watches me. It's so funny!

Yesterday I lost Owen in a walmart, a small misunderstanding, but we were ok. But oh man did I panic. The cashier had gotten her manager and were getting ready to start lock down mode. =(  Once we left there we raced to the dentist for Owen to get his teeth cleaned, for more feather ruffling news. I'm just going to say that Owen needs to see the pediatric dentist again, it won't affect his permanent teeth that haven't came in yet and we'll be ok. Just very disappointed!!! Now we are on a strict routine of brushing more often, fluoride,etc.

The countdown starts for our trip. I'm so excited. (our house is going to have a house sitter!) yay! I am getting nervous. I think it's a number of reasons I am nervous. But I am sure I will do just fine and enjoy myself.

February seems to be getting more and more populated with birthday's and anniversary's...... This month I have 5 co worker's birthdays, Our friends celebrated their 10th anniversary yesterday, we'll celebrate 8 yrs Tuesday, Troy's cousin's anniversary is tomorrow. LOTS. Then Birthdays for our close friends and family....one today, one Monday, uncle Jack is Wednesday, Aunt Joan and Troy share a birthday and Aunt Mary's is the 22. AND Owen has a friend too. AMAZING. Then you throw Valentine's Day in there, a few other odds and ends and a month filled with LOVE!!! <3

Speech and Such....

Lydia did well with her first speech therapy lesson. I unfortunately did not get to meet Ms. Betsy, missed her by 5 minutes. Maybe next time. Lydia has to work on her F sounds. She skips them. So we try to bite are lip as we say Fish or Frog. So it seems to be working. She did a fun snowman activity with her.

Lydia came down with a cold the night of her birthday party and then Owen missed school today because of it. Hopefully these kids get better. I'd like to keep them in a bubble. So because Owen missed today, we didn't get his report card. Guess we will hope it comes home with him tomorrow. That stuff is exciting to me. I love when he brings things home for me to read, same with Lydia.

They both went to the pediatrician on Monday for the 4 year and 6 year check ups. Both gained and grew like they should. Lydia grew 3 1/2 " and gained 6 lbs. Owen grew 3" and gained 8lbs. They both passed their hearing and vision screenings YAY! Next visit is for flu vaccinations in the fall and then next January we go for 5 and 7 year visits. Never thought I would say I had children these kid's ages. AMAZING how fast it goes. Owen had a dental exam at school Tuesday, and just has a tooth that supposedly needs looked at. Guess it's a good thing we have an appointment for a routine cleaning next week. The paper did not indicate which tooth, which I think it should have. odd!!!

Lydia got to try on her dance costume last week, I can't remember if I mentioned that. We're not to share pictures yet, because the costumes not complete and it will give away the excitement. But I forgot to mention that we did NOT have to pay for her costume, tights or hair accessory because we raised enough money in candy bar sales!! And we actually have a nice size credit. I'm so excited!!!!

I think I am catching the kids cold. Yesterday I just didn't feel well. Today I have a scratchy throat, sore ears and sneezing/runny nose. :(  I started taking a vitamin, so hoping to stay on that and maybe it'll help me steer clear of some of the winter germies.

today I was gone from home for 12 hrs , I don't necessarily like that. But I did some errands after work and then went to a meeting, for myself!

Tomorrow is my "friday" hahaha......But Friday is filled with meal delivery to a friend, errands, Owen needs to buy a birthday gift for a party Saturday. So I'm trying to figure out our Friday.

Lydia's Birthday Party

Because Lydia's birthday is December 30th, we always celebrate with my family after the fact. It gives us a reason to get together in January and allows all the chaos to calm down before more comes.

Last night we celebrated Lydia's 4th Birthday in our basement. I am very thankful for such a full, clean basement. If it weren't for water issues and it being chillier, Id contemplate making a family room down there because I feel like we're outgrowing our house. There are 3 rooms in the back of the house (bedrooms and bathroom) and in the front of the house the living room and kitchen, which really are a great size.

Here are a few pics from last night. Lydia had a great time as did all the other children. I think the adults had a good time playing games too.

After everyone left, we started getting ready for bed and I noticed Lydia's voice sounding funny. She cried through the night, barked/coughed and is sneezing and is sick today :( We did so well. If you know us, we (the kids) had colds 2 in September, once in October and November, then I was plagued with the flu bug the week before Christmas, then Lydia got it into the New Year. So it felt as if we were sick all the time. So I recalled to a few people "YAY We haven't been sick since Jan.3" Yeah well I totally jinxed myself. DISAPPOINTING!!!

She is so go to school tomorrow, start speech therapy and the kids have their yearly check ups. We don't have time for sickness. I just hope that if the rest of us are going to get it that we get it and get on with it so we aren't sick for our trip in February. I know I'm asking for alot.

Today has been filled with cleaning up after the party, laundry, dishes, sweeping, getting ready for a new week, packing away 2011 paperwork/bills,etc. I guess that's why we didn't really have any plans for today. I like a lazy Sunday.

Troy and his parents are working very hard getting ready for the inspectors who are supposed to be coming this week sometime. I pray it all goes well.

We are very thankful for our family and friends who joined us last night. Thankful for being well for a few weeks. Thankful for a warm house and this day to be able to stay home and get prepared for the week ahead of us.

Id ask for a silent prayer I'm starting something new this week, and am going to need lots of prayers specifically for strength to stay on task and stay focused. I will update you on this in about a week and a half.

And more snow....

I'm curious to know how much more snow we got last night. I like the snow don't get me wrong. It's just if I have to travel somewhere in it, be there at a certain time and am running behind. That's when the snow is an issue for me.

Of course I go back to work and it starts snowing like every other day!!!!

It wasn't too bad getting to work. No major oopppsys.

Wednesday I left a few minutes early, made it on time, but the roads were rough and slick from the freeze overnight. Thursday it took me 40 minutes to get to work, 50 to get back home, 40 to get to Greenville for dance class and another 40 to get back home. My math may be a little wrong, but i thought I had calculated 180 minutes of driving on Thursday. Geez. And I'm not even a taxi driver to get paid for that.
Thursday I worked, then Lydia had dance. It wasn't too bad driving home from work to get Lydia. Then we got about 3/4 the way to Greenville and the snow really started coming down. Believe it or not, there was only one little girl missing from Lydia's dance class. WOW!!!

Lydia got to try on her costume for her dance recital. (Mark your calendar's for Sat May 19). We are super excited. She loves dance and enjoys being around other little girls instead of little boys, which is pretty much the census of our friends. Lydia looked very very cute. I cannot wait to see the final product (remaining part of costume, hair,makeup,etc). EXCITING> And we raised enough money selling candy bars we didn't have to pay a CENT for her costume, tights, hair accessory,etc. YAY US!!!! I cannot reveal her costume, as it's a secret and we want you to be completely surprised for the recital.  Lydia was a bit miffed we weren't allowed to bring it home, but then again she doesn't understand.

Friday I worked and knew Grammie was off work. So I asked Lydia if she wanted to go to Grandma's for the day or to Grammie's alone (No Owen and No Savanna). She was soooooooooooo excited! So Grammie and Lydia got to spend the day together. She had a great time.

Owen has been staying home w/Daddy while we go to dance. Daddy's home, so they may as well stay home get dinner, homework, and bedtime routine started til we get home. Thursday's certainly are different in our house.

So we're starting to get ready for Lydia's birthday party today, and I had this crazy notion in my head to make the cakes myself. Well last night after working 3 days, all that driving, the kids in the grocery store "mom, mom, mom, mommy, mom, mooooom, can i get this, ohh i like that". I caved and bought the kids cupcakes, and 2 other smaller cakes.....I was too stressed and knew I couldn't get 2 cakes nicely made today and get ready....I know laziness.....I wanna say it's being smart so I don't get too stressed out! right?

Alright well Id better start getting motivated to get this house in order and us ready. Will post pictures tonight or tomorrow of the party.

Got behind a few days....it might take a while for this one. sorry

Owen received a paper from school telling us about the Lakeview School District kids collecting Penny's. So Owen decided to take on the challenge. It was for Coach's Vs. Cancer. The Lakeview Ball Team is raising funds for American Cancer Society. He was able to collect 2 full peanut butter jars with the help from Aunt Joanne, Mommy & Daddy, Aunt Mary, Aunt Joan, Mickey (from SRHS) and Grammie. He was so excited to take these to school on Friday that he forgot it was 'Show And Tell' Day. We didn't realize our mistake until Monday. Guess it was more important to raise money for Cancer Research. He had a blast. Luckily it was yucky out and daddy was able to take Owen and his load of pennies to school that day.

Then Lydia came home with a note as well last week asking for help from the preschool children's families to collect "groceries for the kids play kitchen". So all these packages are empty, cleaned and at Lydia's daycare now for the children to play with in their pretend grocery store and kitchen. What a cute and clever idea. We enjoyed gathering these items all weekend long.

Friday January 13 brought us some cold, windy, nasty weather....It didn't keep my two inside. It was 16 degrees as we waited for Owen to get off the school bus. Lydia and I were outside a total of half an hour. Owen was mad he was out only 15 minutes. But it was very windy. Our cheeks were very red when we came in. Owen had decided the night  before what our dinner would be.....his favorite....grilled cheese and tomato soup. So that was nice to warm us back up.

Tomorrow I return to work after being off for 11 days. Each day I tried to make sure I did something....and I did succeed. Grocery shopping, paying bills, ran errands, laundry, dishes, prepared a cooked meal each day, ran Lydia to preschool, Owen was treated to rides to school and a surprise pick up a few times, a doctor's appointment, packing away my Christmas decorations properly, extra cleaning, playing and laughing with the kids, baking, planning a birthday party, a trip to Anaheim,CA (I'm going on a business trip w/Troy), rearranged some stuff, organized drawers, cleaned out.....the list goes on and still continues. But one thing that I am so thankful for....ITS OVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!  ha haha. I realized this in the last 4 weeks I do not think with our lifestyle/Troy's work that I could work full time, nor could I stay home full time. I am very thankful for the per diem job that I do that. God has blessed me with it. I wasn't looking and it appeared, it's worked out for almost 3 yrs (March 16) and I love the flexibility, my co workers and what I do.

We've been also trying to get Lydia (who appears to still have her umbilical cord attached to me only at bedtime) into her own bed. She did so well when Joanne got her her bed, but over the summer when I was working more, it was just easier to put her in  my bed and get to sleep. She's a very strong willed child, so it may take a while. Your wondering what about Troy? Well most of you know his schedule, but for those who don't....he milks the late milking, which is almost like a midnight shift. So he either sleeps on 1 of the 2 couches or Lydia's nice comfortable new bed.

Owen is enjoying school. He seems to want to talk more in the evenings about it when he comes home. But it's like I'm only allotted so many questions. So I read somewhere to not ask....it's like him hawwing around the question. Seems to work. He's fallen in love with the movie Mr.Popper's Penguins. He's going to be sad, but it goes back tomorrow evening and I am not renting anymore for a while.

Well I guess that's enough rambling for now. Thursday is Lydia's dance night, and this week she gets to try on her costume....I'll try to get a pic if we're allowed. She just LOVES dance.

Oh I almost forgot about an update on speech therapy....Lydia starts receiving treatments on Monday and also next week Owen gets his 2nd report card. Im so excited.

p.s. Susan V. If you read this...my blog needs a serious facelift/makeover/design. please help!

The snow is on it's way....

The kids are excited that snow is in the forecast!!! I on the other hand, well I guess as long as it gets it out of it's crazy system by next Wednesday, when I return to work.

Yesterday went so fast. Thank goodness!!!! I got my 5 stitches out and did fine. The pathology report is not back yet. Which is normal. I go back to work next next week with no restrictions. YAY!!!!

Lydia's appointment went well. It was very thorough and to the point. We were told she would start receiving services within the next 14 days. We got our call already this morning before 830a.m. to let us know that she would start her speech therapy the week of the 23rd. We're excited! But it finally hit home last night once everyone was in bed. That Lydia's being "labeled". It's a hard thing for a mother to hear, but also know that I am not ashamed. She is how she is. And we are at least responsible parents by getting her the help she needs. The therapist will come to see her 2 hours a month, I wish there were more time allotted for her for her speech therapy. But this is how it goes. She played very well while Troy, the social worker, the speech therapist, another helper and I went through what seemed like oodles of paper work.

While in Sharpsville Troy took Lydia and I by Dean Dairy, which I had never seen before. Pretty neat!!! And came the scenic route back to Transfer to drop off my return to work slip. Lydia loves going into where I work. But is strange because she doesnt' want to talk when she gets in there. The ladies are so excited to see her because I talk about my kids to them. I have such a great relationship with a few of them.

Then home to get Owen from his friend Megan's house. We had to make a few phone calls and explain our situation in depth to the school district in order for Owen to get off the bus with Megan. (Troy's parents were out of town and we had no one else to get Owen off the bus, and this meeting was so important that I did not want to have to reschedule-for fear it'd be another month before we'd get in). So our nice neighbor(well down the road a ways) and I have made friends. Owen and Megan were in the same preschool class for 2 yrs and Owen just loves playing with her. Megan's mom, Susan, and I did not grow up in the Sandy Lake Area, so it's been so nice getting to know her. And they are a sweet sweet family! I went to get Owen and Lydia decided to make herself at home and play....for 1 1/2 hrs!!!! (sorry Susan we were there so long). Finally, we were ready to go and decided to exit through the garage...which housed Megan's dad's four wheeler and the 2 baby kittens. Here are a few pictures.....

We are working on talking daddy into bringing this kitty home. It's so laid back, adorable, litter trained and we've never had a cat. Owen LOVES cats. Weird, but he loves them.