Friday, Oh NO!

Long and boring Friday here... I am at work, yet I don't want to be.

It is my birthday, and my sweet husband brought me a flower and some lunch.
How kind is that?

Today, I am 34. Can you believe that? Dave and I were talking last night with the kids. Emma was asking things like, "How did you feel when you first kissed Daddy?" and "Did you date in high school?" Sadly, no Emma, we did not date in high school like most people. I guess that really is not sad, though. We had enough time to kinda figure out who we were separatelyas well as with other people. Then, we got together. At a Bar. And we drank. Alot. And, then ...

Nah, I didn't say that.

I said, "No, Daddy and I dated a little bit after high school."

And that answer was good enough.

As for the kissing part, well, I told her when I kissed her Daddy, the birds sang and music played and everything was magic. You should have seen this girls face light up. She has dreams. She believes in love.

I took my wedding dress out of the closet and out of the bag and I showed it to her. She asked me if she could wear it when she got married. I, of course, said yes.

Tripp then joined the conversation and asked me where he and Emma were when Daddy and I got married. So, I said, "Well, Tripp you were not born yet. You were still an egg." And he was good with that.

One day they are going to ask questions that I will have a hard time answering. They will not take the short answers. My past is going to catch up with me. I am not looking forward to it.

Two for One!

I'm BBAAAACCCKKK!

Twice in one day.. can you believe it?

Tripp's hiney problem started minimally last night... but came back this morning. So, off to the doctor's office we went. My poor boy. Now, we are scheduled to go back to Vanderbilt to a specialist - the super special regular doctor that we have is saying colonoscopy. UGH. Not, not, happy.

Kids are sleeping now. It is a late nap as they have been at Grandma's playing, and there is more important things to do than nap at Grandma's. Like playing in the rain. And playing with Mallie. And riding bikes.

Emma has a ball game tonight.

Here are some sayings of the week... some make me happy. One makes me terribly, horribly sad.

Saying #1
Scene: Tripp and Emma are fighting this morning. He is mimicking her.

Emma: "Tripp, stop copying me!"
Tripp: "Emma, that is what little brothers do!"

Saying #2
Scene: Tripp is a pervert at three.
There is a boy at VBS. His name is Brock.

Tripp: "Mom, his name is BRA-CK... see, Bra-ck! huh, huh, huh!!!"

Saying #3
Scene: Tripp is a pervert at three.
I am bending over in front of him, tying his shoe.

Tripp: "Mom, I s-eeee your braa!!!"

Saying #4
My sister came over on Monday. She and Emma played Barbies. Emma has a ton of Barbies cause I was a mother to an only boy for 7 1/2 years. She has never shown any interest in the dolls. They are really for me.

Emma: "Mom, can we play Barbies sometime?"
Me: "Sure, Emma, anytime. Why haven't you ever asked me before?"
Emma: "Cause you are always so busy."

Me: *thinking* I would like to throw up - RIGHT NOW.
Me: *actually saying* "I am never too busy for you. We will play whenever you want."

In a funk.

I guess I have been in a blogging funk... or maybe an overall funk. It is summer now and I have been playing outside with the kids this week, going to ballgames, VBS, and doing stuff.

Everyone is healthy, which is suprising after my last weekend fever episode.

It is 4 a.m. and I can't sleep. I have to be up in two hours to go to work. It is going to hurt by late this morning. Maybe I can go take a nap.

Here are some recent pictures of the kids at the UT Stadium... we went and watched the Orange and White game in April. This should counteract some recent Auburn pictures that were placed online.

Emma posing by the Music Hall.

The kids outside of the stadium.

The kids inside of the stadium.

Tripp in all his orange.

And, just for some middle-of -the-night eye candy, here is the backside

of that hunky new coach, who is just a few weeks older than I am. Much better looking that Phillip Fulmer. Reckon that will win them a game? (I am lovin' his visor!)

Why do birds chirp at 4 in the morning? It is dark and no one can see them...

sunday.

today, i am better. the fever is gone. I am still sweaty. but i am functionable.

we went to church this morning and then we had to run to the funeral home. a sweet older neighbor passed away. then, we came back home and i took a nap in the bed. i usually nap on the couch.. it makes it a "less official" nap. if, for some reason, i go lay on the bed to go to sleep, i have to admit to actually napping. it is almost like not getting any dessert, yet eating some of dave's dessert off of his plate. if i play that game, the calories don't count. i guess that is why i am so chunky. :)

we took the kids to vbs at another congregation tonight... it was lots of fun for them. we heard a good sermon as well. i think that it is nice to expose the kids to other christian families.. sometimes, i think, they could start to feel isolated. there were lots of people that we know from school, soccer, and other community things that also attended this church tonight. so that was nice.

tomorrow, we are going to the funeral of the lady who's house we are now living in. mrs. ophie passed away yesterday. she was 96 years old. and she was a super lady.

after that, i have no idea how we will finish up the weekend. it always rains on memorial day. maybe one day we can go back to the lake. we haven't been in three years. i am ready to go back... i think.

Memorial Day Weekend.

Today, Dave has taken the kids to a birthday party... and I am at home doing house stuff and resting. Fever is gone, but I am so, so hot...not in the good way. How thankful I am for a great husband who steps in when I need him - from doing laundry, to re-planting my garden, to helping with the kids... I love you, Super Dave!



I realized a few days ago that my son is going into the 8th grade... i knew he was, but I ACTUALLY just realized it. This time next year, he will be on his way to high school. This is startling to me because I remember what I did my freshman year of high school. The difference in the household in which Eli is in versus what I was raised in, well, the difference is night and day. I had no parents at home at night AT ALL... my mother was off working and "sowing her late'ish-30 oats" and my father lived in Nashville. It was just me, my little brother Chris (he was 9) and my sister Melissa (she worked and was in and out). So, I pray, pray, pray that Eli does not get into anything like I did.

Friday, YEAH!

Happy Friday Everyone!

I am super excited about this upcoming three day weekend... I guess I should be cautiously optimistic because I HAVE A FEVER OF 101~!

not, not, happy 'bout that.

Conversations.

The scene: Tripp is in my office. We are working on learning the letters of the alphabet. I am explaining to him that he has to learn his A,B,C's. He is resisting my teaching.

Me: "Tripp, you have to learn to write these."
Tripp: "I don't want to."

So, we keep writing, and he actually can do them by himself!

The deal with Tripp is, well, he seems to be ambidextrous. As he writes, he switches from right hand to left. So I ask him this.

Me: "Tripp, which hand feels better? The right hand or the left hand?"
Tripp: "No hands."

Later on that morning, Tripp is talking with a lady from our congregation who has a sick horse. He thinks it is funny. I tell him that "no, it is not funny. What if Harley was sick? What if Harley went to heaven? Would that be funny?"

Tripp says, "Well, where is horse heaven at?"

a dedicated student.

Only two days of school left for Eli and Emma.

Today, Emma's class was rewarded for good behaviour. They got a late-afternoon ice cream sundae party! It was important to her that I come over. I went right as the party was supposed to start and I got to help get things in order.

I explained to Emma that due to the time, I was going to sign her out because I could not leave work again at 2:30 to come pick her up. That was fine, she said. We were going to spend time together, by ourselves.

WRONG.

As we gathered her backpack, the tears started rolling. She wanted to stay, she told me. She wanted to be a pick up, she told me. I explained, again, why she had to go with me. She cried. Snot flowed. And every teacher in the building came out as we walked down the hallway - they wanted to know why she was crying. What could be wrong with Emma? How can I explain that my five year old daughter likes to follow the rules and has a love of consistancy? How do I explain that she is a type A personality?

I thought that the fit would never end. The crying went on for about 30 minutes - AFTER we got back to my office.

This is not the first time this has happened. Once before, no, twice before, I have went to get her, and she has changed her mind. I am so thankful for her independance, and I love how she knows her mind. But, I would like her to be able to bend the rules just a little.

the reasonings of tripp.

the scene: mallie, tripp and emma are playing outside. tripp has to pee.

tripp: hey momma, can i pee outside?
me: yes, i don't care.
tripp: (to mallie and emma) don't laugh. the plants need water.

quiet saturday.

first - tripp is fine. we went to Vanderbilt childrens hospital yesterday morning. they did the test for CF about 9 am, and my super special regular doctor called me on my cell phone around noon.

what a relief.

such a relief, in fact, that I fell asleep early last night. and i slept to 7:10 this morning.

emma played softball at ten, and tripp played soccer at ten. I ran back and forth and was fortunate enough to see tripp score a goal (or two) and emma bat twice. she told me she was glad i was there. i was super glad to get to see her play.

as for the afternoon, well, there is lots to do. i have paid bills, done housework and broken up many, many fights between mallie, emma and tripp. they are currently jumping on the trampoline. i am thankful to live in an area where they can go outside to play and i know they are OK. everyone else has other things to do, so i am here doing my weekly saturday/sunday cleaning. by monday afternoon, it will all have disappeared. :)

speaking of small towns - I was driving thru town a few days ago and I spotted a girl walking... she was wearing a white "wife beater" shirt... an on the back, she had taken a sharpie and written "mike's wife." Isn't that awesome? and then, just this morning, I realised that only here can a woman ride thru town in the back of a pick up truck, with the tailgate down, and smoke a cigarette. all by herself.

I am going to start carrying my camera. I need to document these things where people will believe me. cause I don't believe some of it myself.

middle of the week. and i am still not sleeping.

I always think about what kind of song is matching up with my life at the time.. kind of like a theme song. Right now, I am back to Matchbox 20 "Three AM." I am having huge sleeping issues, so I am so very, very tired right now. I have a hard time getting up in the morning.


Tripp goes to Vanderbilt on Friday morning. We are starting over - and redo-ing the initial cystic fibrosis test. These new test results should be in by 1 p.m. on Friday. Then, I can get back to normal.

I am also going to bargin for a stop at the Mt. Juliet Target. I am laying my chips on the table, Dave. Are you picking up what I am throwing at ya?

Here are some pick-me-up facts... stuff I don't want to forget.
1. Emma LOVES swiss cheese - the cheese with the holes in it.
2. Tripp asked me if me and his Daddy went on dates and were boyfriend and girlfriend before we were a mommy and a daddy.
3. Tripp also told me after school today that he was "going to tell me a story that would give me nightmares."
4. Tripp won't kiss me with lipstick on.. in fact, every time I ask for a kiss, he asks me,"do you have lipstick on?"
5. Eli gave me the rights to a public hug and kiss for mother's day. I cashed it in while he was with a group of his friends.

See, doesn't these facts make you feel better? They make me feel great.

late at night. I can't sleep. again.

I love this picture too. March 2006.

Everyone in the house is sleeping.. yet, here I am, wide awake, with thoughts running away.

I had a busy day today.. but it was busy in a way where nothing seemed to get done. I went to work at the same time, yet I did not get alot accomplished. I left for a short time here and there (to visit Emma's track and field day and then to grab some lunch) so I ended up working to 5:30 tonight.

Emma had a softball game tonight also. She is not a ball player. She had to pee FIVE times during the game. It is going to be a long season.

I still haven't heard results from the genetic testing place... First, the gastroenterologist that ordered the test cancelled Tripp's appointment for Friday. So that meant that I would not get the results anytime soon. So I called the genetic place to see if they would just give me a hint. I just need a hint or something to that will tell me that it is OK. But no, they rudely gave me nothing. And then, the lady told me we may have to bring him back for another stick. We might have to do another blood draw. All the way in Knoxville. To a place that won't give me information about my own child. A place that has left me hanging all weekend. Umm, how about a "hell, no?"

So I called our super regular doctor and we are going somewhere else as soon as possible.. we are going to a cystic fibrosis accredited childrens hospital to start these tests over. Somewhere that will understand that I need to know what is going on with my baby. I am in such limbo. I analyze him. I constantly watch him.. I look at him playing, talking and sleeping. I need to know if something is going on in that sweet little body that I have no control over. I wonder if he is really OK. Absolutely, I am going nuts. UGH.

My boys. Feb 2007. I like this picture alot.

Happy Mother's Day..

My 13th Mother's Day started off early with a special breakfast in bed served by my sweet daughter. She and Dave made me a fried egg sandwich with bacon and cheese and tomatoes on the side. My drink was orange juice. I got to lay in the bed with Emma, who promptly helped me eat my sandwich. She was so proud to give me breakfast and be the first one to tell me Happy Mother's Day.

The boys got up shortly after 7 am- we had to start getting ready for church. Since I am teaching the 2-4 year old class this quarter, I have to be there about 8:45 am. It was also Dave's week to drive the church bus, so he left earlier than I did. My kids suprised me with a necklace and a big charm that is so pretty. I will try to post pictures later. Anyways, the mornings preparations for church could not have went any smoother. What a great way to start the day!

We had lunch at the in law's house- then it was back home for a nap with Emma and a afternoon walk with my mother in law. We finished up the day back at church, then went to a teen devo with Eli. What a busy day we all had!

Now, all my family is sleeping and I am sitting here with racing thoughts and no one to talk to. Lots of things are going on this week - Emma has track and field tomorrow, Tripp has doctors appointments, Eli has a couple of field trips.... school is out next week, and I guess the summer will officially begin. I am ready for some sunshine, playtime, and a vacation at home.

So much rain.

We are about to have to go swimming.

There is so much rain.. I am just sick of rain. All ball games have been cancelled for the day - this is a great thing as I am cleaning the house. The bad part is that by tomorrow, you won't be able to tell. It is almost a waste of time. Unfortunatelly, child protective services doesn't feel that way.

In other news, tomorrow is Mother's Day. I really enjoy this day because my children enjoy this day. As with all holidays, I could take 'em or leave 'em. But the kids enjoy making me things, and Emma is looking forward to making me breakfast tomorrow morning. Last year, she made it and I got up and got in the shower. It made her a little upset. This year, she has already told me to stay in bed. I love my kids so much.

Tripp on Mothers Day - 2 years ago. Looking at his belly button - he didn't know I was watching!

Last night, Dave and I went (last minute) and did the Ta-Ta Trot; this is a 5 K to raise money for Breast Cancer research. We didn't run - we walked together. I appreciated him doing this with me. After my bad week, it really helped to clear my mind. I have actually walked 7 miles this week. When I have lots going on, I tend to clean house really fast and furious, or I go walk.

Please keep my sweet Tripper Do in your prayers;

I know that God will take care of us regardless of any outcome.

One of my favorite older pictures. Feb 2007.

i guess you can tell i am out of school.

well, another post.. i can really tell i am out of school. sitting at work, all i can think about is mopping the floors in the kitchen. i was up this morning before six, doing the dishes, laundry and wishing i had a day off to hang out at the house by myself. with no kids. so i can clean, clean, clean.

i guess i am feeling a little overwhelmed. i hate this economy. someone told me it was getting better. where is that happening? it sure isn't anywhere i know. i can't even afford wal mart.. so so sad.

in protest of my lack of funds, i am going to not use any capitol letters anymore. i am tired of sticking my pinky finger out to hit the shift key. so no more caps for me. see? i made a rhyme. i can do that. because it is my blog. and if i say no caps, then no caps.

tripp has a doctors appointment in knoxville tomorrow. he is being tested for cystic fibrosis. i really like pretending that he never had the hiney issue.. yet, if there were actually something wrong with him, and i didn't follow thru, i would never forgive myself.

i think i just need to set down and cry.

tripp has been the kid with the weird things. when he was born at 37 weeks (to the day) he weighed 7 pounds and one ounce. that is a big baby for me. if i woulda went full term, he woulda been big. anyways, by time he was two months old, i noticed something funky going on with his head and neck. he couldn't hold it up. i showed dave, he thought i was post-partum crazy at first, then he started looking. so off we went to the doctor. turns out that tripp had torticollis and scoliosis. we did a year of therapy and he is as good as new. then, when he was two, he got a concussion at my inlaws. back in february, he slammed his peebird in the toilet.. that was an interesting trip to the emergency room. now, this hiney issue..

so, you see that tripp has been a trip.

tripp and the barbie.

so, tripp just approaches me with a barbie in one hand and the barbie's missing the skirt and undies in the other...

He hands her to me -

He says: "Fix this, mom."
I say: "What happened to her skirt and her panties, Tripp?"
And he says: "I was playing with her, and it was on accident."

news about nothing.

Well, I just finished school - for the semester, anway- last night at 8 p.m. I had a final that started at 9 am yesterday morning. It came from Satan. I believe it was the worst final ever. Long and tedious essays - over Central Asia and lots of stuff that makes my brain hurt. Over and Done!! Yey! I have three weeks before summer school begins. It will take me that long just to wind down.



The kids only have a few more weeks of school left. Tripp gets out the 15th of May.. and Eli and Emma get out the 22nd of May. After that, it is up in the air. What does a mom do? My mother in law is going to help me out on Mondays and Fridays. So, that leaves me with three days unaccounted for. I can't really afford daycare. I am just going to pray, pray, pray and I know I will get it worked out.



Summer for us usually means lots of pool time, outside play time, playdate time. This year is an adjustment - now that I am working. I have had a couple of moms ask about playdates this summer as well as pool days. Ugh, I am gonna miss the pool. It wont last forever. The kids go back to school around the 7th of August.

Eli has soccer tournaments that start tonight in Cookeville at 6 p.m.

One month from today, my baby will be four ! years old. We are in the beginning stages of planning that Somolian pirate party that he dreams of. Ahoy!

Eli's good day.

Today was an Eli centered day... many times, all the kids are intermixed in activities. Today we got to spend the day doing just "Eli stuff". Tripp's soccer game was cancelled due to rain - so we started off staying in the house till almost 11 am. *I even got to sleep to 7:30!*
First on the agenda was scholars bowl.. Eli was on a team of five boys representing his school against other schools in the county.

This is Eli answering in the beginning round that is used to choose the top two teams.

His team won! He went on the stage to compete for first place. See the look of intensity on his face? He is so serious and so competitive.. and so smart. :)

And his team placed first! Yey Eli!

This is the face I get when I ask him for a pic.

We moved on there to a soccer game. Here is Eli in action. These are the first pictures that I have taken of him playing this year.

He is #12.

They ended up loosing.. but they played - or really just slid around in the rain.

I enjoy watching him. He is a good soccer player too.

Following that, we came home and then the little kids went to grandmas for a couple of hours. Dave and I took Eli with us to an adult birthday party. There were some little kids there, but it really wasn't the place for them. It was nice to spend the day with Eli and focused on Eli.