She Made IT!!!!

Can you believe it? A record 5 green notes in one week! Kylie did it! I was so proud of her...she FINALLY got to pick a toy from the "treasure chest"....(the treasure chest is a box of leftover Christmas presents from last year that my kids never even knew they got due to the absorbent amount of junk we receive at Christmas. Therefore, we put the gifts up and give them to the kids on "special occasions." That way it is Christmas all year!)
However, when one kid does good, the other seems to falter. I guess they play tug-of-war with the "good" fairy. Weston ended up with a red note for talking on Friday!
We are busy trying to clean our building...it is so cluttered and yucky. I want to get the bathroom painted and things organized before Bunco, so I am up to my ears in dust, boxes of junk, and spackle. Hopefully we can get this building in order before the girls show up!
Well, I am off to shower and take some pictures for a friend of mine and his family. Like I said, it's starting to get busy with the photography business!

Toothless Wonder

Well, Weston lost his 1st tooth! He has been working on this loose tooth for months now, but it just wouldn't budge. The new one was already coming in behind this one. Poor thing though...he swallowed it! After all of that, he swallowed his tooth. So, last night he didn't know what to do to make sure the tooth fairy would come to see him. Well, I had him write a letter to the tooth fairy and leave it under his pillow. After he went to bed, it dawned on me--we don't have any cash in the house (note to robbers in case they thought the barn was some sort of deterrent and lavishly rich people were living here)! So, Kyle and I scrounged up 8 quarters and stacked them under his pillow. We couldn't put them in a Ziplock baggie or envelope because Weston is the type that would question where she got it from!
He went to the dentist today and got a great report--except for the needing braces thing. But, I expected that since I had to have them as well.
Ok, Kylie has 4 green notes so far this week, can she make it 5? Cross your fingers. It will be her first full week of green notes since she started her new school. So, I'll keep you posted.
It seems like everyone I know is having babies! It must be that season again. A lot of the same friends that were pregnant when I was pregnant are having their 3rd and 4th kids. But, I missed this round and I have to say I have NO baby fever whatsoever! So, good luck to all of you out there expecting little ones. It looks like May and June will be busy in the hospitals!

The Skipper

So, I skipped class tonight....ok, didn't "skip" but I didn't go. Mom and Jim needed me, so I stayed home to be with them. Can't complain though...my first Tuesday evening in 6 weeks without that icky professor! :)
I am bummed tonight though...Cross Canadian Ragweed is in town, playing RIGHT NOW and I am at home, in the recliner, typing on my computer!!! This just sucks. Pardon me, but it does. I LOVE'em! But, two kids and a week night don't make a great combination for sitters, etc. But we are going to see them in Tulsa in about a week and a half, so I guess that's what will get me through the night. I can hear it now though....
"Maybe I miss your lovin
Maybe I miss your kiss,
Just a little bit
Maybe I miss your body lying right next to mine
Maybe I miss your touch
A little too much"

Ok, enough whining. Sorry. Well, that's a wrap....

Where's My Daughter?

Ok, I can't find my daughter...before you panic, there is a little girl living in my house. She looks a whole lot like Kylie (even dances like her), however she doesn't act like Kylie! No! This little girl is polite, she told me to "enjoy my sleep" last night when she went to bed as well as "don't let the bug bites". (No, that's not a typo, she said bug bites!!) Anyway, I don't know what happened to my Kylie? This little girl brings home 4 out 5 green notes again this week, she picks up her room AND keeps it clean. She even wants to help out with chores that I am doing. What do I do? I mean, should I panic and worry about my little Kylie? Or should I just let this little girl stay in my house?? I guess I should just wait and see if she hangs around or not!! :)

Weekend Update

Well, I had a great weekend. Just short. On Friday night, we went to Landry's and ate. That's the first time I have ever eaten there. It was pretty good! We stayed for awhile to hear Chris play as well since our movie didn't start for a couple more hours. He made my evening when he covered a John Mayer song....my FAVORITE John Mayer song that is! I told him I am forever his groupie after that! :) We then went to see Fly Boys. It's a WWI movie about the aviators. It was pretty good. I still want to see several other movies that are playing, but we had to appease the boys (Bret and Kyle), so we made sure the movie was "manly" enough. Saturday was Hog game day, however I had a birthday party to photograph, so Kyle and Bret went and Kylie and I went to the party. Weston stayed at Mei-Mei's house instead of going with me...I can only handle 1 kid while I'm trying to work. Kylie had fun at the party though! She got to slide on the huge slide, eat cake, and swing at a Pinata. It's nice when you can "take your kids to work". Here's a picture of Kylie going down the slide. She was scared at first, but after I slid down with her once, she wouldn't stay off of the slide! We watched United 93 last night after the party when Kyle got back from the game. The movie is good in terms of documenting the lives of the people on the plane, but it was sad. Sad to know it could've easily been someone I knew. Sunday has been spent cleaning and working. Bunco is at my house in two weeks and I want to have this place somewhat presentable! The girls are going to have a rude awakening as it is, so hopefully it'll be a clean one!
Well, Desperate Housewives season premiere is tonight, so I am going to get a couple more things accomplished before it starts. The first accomplishment--getting the kids to bed!

New Links

Well, I have added a few new links to your right. The first one has been there, the Milestone Pictures, however the rest are new. I have wanted to be able to have my photos in an "album" on here because once you insert them in a post, they get lost after a few days. There's only a couple of photos so far, but I'll try to add more as time permits. Hey, at least the link is up. Secondly, I have a friend from graduate school that is currently living right outside Bethlehem and he is keeping a blog of his experiences. It is interesting to read about their (he and his wife) experiences living in a house full of kids. You can view his blog through that link.
The next link is to the MSNBC report about the much-discussed sermon about sex. I won't interject my opinions here (for once!)....I'll let you make your own decision about the sermon. Ok, I can't stand it...I think it's great that for once Christians aren't "condemned" for enjoying pleasure. Do I agree with everything he says? No. But his ultimate point is good....We aren't dead, we should be living and enjoying life's experiences. Hey, my husband is going to LOVE this one! So, here's to sex in marriage...have fun!
The last link is Kyle's blog. You can tell he's not into blogging as much as I am. But hey, he has one at least!

My "birth" day

Well, today I am officially me. And I am probably going to start a trend in my small town of rural Arkansas! If you'll remember about a couple of months ago, I went to the DMV to get my driver's license changed since the loan officer said I had to do it due to the Patriot Act (which is a bunch of bull). However, I conceded in my own fashion. I went down there to have it changed only to be met with dumb-founded looks and confusion. You see, I was wanting to hyphenate my last name, meaning I wanted to keep my maiden name and add my married name. Being in the very tight Bible belt that I live in, that is such a foreign experience here. So, they told me I couldn't do it, I would have to have 2 middle names. I went along with this thinking it would still work out alright, but then a friend at the Social Security office told me that was not right. Because everything would file under my married name, not my maiden name which would technically come first. Well, I just haven't had the chance to change my license yet, but found myself with a few extra minutes today and decided to get this issue taken care of. So, I walk into the DMV today and here's how the situation went:

Me: Hi, I need to make a correction to my driver's license.....I proceed to explain the above situation.
Lady at DMV: I am sorry I don't understand. You want two last names?
Me: Yes, I would like to hyphenate my last name with the combination of my maiden name and married name.
Lady at DMV: Well, I just don't get what you are trying to say. Here write it on this piece of paper.
Me: (Wondering if I am suddenly speaking Pig Latin or something) Ok, here's what I am wanting to do.... I want it to look like this. (Here's an example of what I wrote)
JANE MARIE DAVIS-SMITH
Me: See, I want to combine my maiden name with the married one, and NOT have two middle names.
Lady at DMV: OH, well, I don't think we can do that! (Yells at lady down the aisle from her) SUE, CAN WE HYPHENATE NAMES?
Other DMV Lady: I don't know, call the Help Center.

So, the lady proceeds to call the Help Center and guess what? THEY CAN! Isn't that phenomenal? So, I am pleased to announce that I am the first person in "small town" Arkansas that gets a driver's license with her name hyphenated! And if my boobs are any indication of what will happen, I have a feeling we will see this trend spread rather quickly throughout the suburbs of our little town! :)

Poseidon Adventure

We watched Poseidon last night and I must say that it is such a good movie. Yes, Josh Lucas is hot and was my primary reason for renting the movie, however the movie was great once I watched it. I was on the edge of the couch the entire movie! Granted, it has a few moments that seem straight out of couple other movies (think Titantic and Armageddon), but it was still a great show. So, if you need a rental, there ya go!
Well, this weekend went as quickly as every other weekend. I hate Mondays. Oh well, it gets me closer to the next weekend, huh?
So, I wonder how class will be this week? Our professor didn't post a discussion question for us, however we have a quiz in class, so I am sure we will reap our punishment. Oh well, this is class #5 of 8 total, so we are on the downhill stretch for this class. However, we will enjoy yet another 8 weeks with him for the next class. Joy.
In Sunday School today, we discussed a chapter out of the book we are reading For Women Only. It was discussing respect for your husband in terms of his actions, communications, and abilities. Yes, I will admit on an open post that I am not the best at this. My husband doesn't get far the respect from me that he deserves. I know that I really need to work on building him up and conveying my appreciation for what he does. So, that'll be my goal. Here's my first effort--Kyle, thank you for being the secret to my success. Without you, I wouldn't be able to do nearly as much! I may be the one pursuing the Master's degree, but in reality it would not be possible without your support. You have been completely unselfish about my desires and pursuit of goals. You listen to my gripes, you take the kids out of the house for extended study time, and you play Mom and Dad while I am in class. For that, thank you.
The guys are reading "Wild At Heart" in Sunday School and I am told by some of the women in the class that I need to read this book when the guys get done with their lesson. (FYI, the couples' class has split into Men and Women classes for the purpose of gender studies for the next 8 weeks.) Evidently it's a pretty good insight into the men?? I'll let ya know when I read it.
Well, I think I am going to turn in early and get some extra rest.

Telepathic Twins

Well, Bunco was just as lively this month as last time! The Moore twins came and they performed their "telepathic" abilities...not sure how they do it, but it was a little spooky. But, between Traci and I singing to Cyndi Lauper and Kool and the Gang and the telepathic tricks, not to mention Kelley's driving on the way, it was definitely a memorable night. Oh yeah, we played Bunco too! I won $10!
Well, Kylie got really close to a "green" week. But then she blew it today. She yelled at another kid and then took off running down the hall. I must say when the child acts up, she makes sure it's dramatic. So close to a perfect week! I was really hoping she would make it! But hey, 4 out of 5 ain't bad for Kylie (heck, 1 out of 5 is good for her!) Seriously though, I think she is getting adjusted to her new school. She is learning so much! Hopefully next week she has a "green" week.
Well, it's late and since Kyle's working tomorrow, that means the kids will be waking me up at the crack of dawn for breakfast. I can tell it is "picture" time again. I am booking every weekend with someone's pictures! So, tomorrow I have some more to take, but this time I am taking bug spray with me since my favorite picture spot is a popular hangout for the mosquitoes!

The Longest Week

This has got to been the longest week in a long time! We don't have any major plans this weekend that I am just dying to get the week over for, however I feel like I haven't had a day off in ages. Thank goodness for Friday tomorrow!
I went to a meeting tonight for the Young Emerging Leaders. It's a new group that is being formed for our region and I think it's going to be great for networking, events, etc. I am excited about it!
Tomorrow night is Bunco again! I don't think we can top last month's Bunco, but we'll sure give it a try. It's in Alma tomorrow night, so we have quite the drive, but it'll be worth it I'm sure. Tomorrow is also the two year anniversary of my divorce. I can't help but think back on that time and appreciate it. I am who I am because of my past and I am happy for it. If I had to go back and do it all again, I wouldn't hesitate. That part of my life will always be special to me becasue of who I am now. I learned a lot....here's a few of my favorite lessons:
1) I learned that my life is just that...my life. I have been a person who typically lived to please others. I was afraid of disapproval from others. But I learned that I can't please everyone, so I will please myself first. It's not that others in my life aren't important, but ultimately when the day is over, I live with my choices, so I should make sure they are truly what I would want for me. Are all of my choices right? No, but the end result is for me to experience.
2) I can't trust a single person. This is probably hardest for me to grasp, but it's true. I don't necessarily mean it in a bad way. I just realized that we are all human, therefore we fall. We fail others. I am not bitter about this aspect, it's just that I think I am bad about setting my expectations of others too high and I have learned to accept them as they are. Sometimes that is OK, other times I have had to distance myself from people. It hurts at times to hold some friends at arms length. This lesson was the hardest also because people can be cruel. Those people you thought were the most compassionate are sometimes the most critical.
3) My kids are the most important part of my life. I am their rock, therefore I am going to do whatever I can to help them find success. My kids look up to me, watch my every move and sometimes copy those moves.
4) Love can't be forced. You know it when you feel it. But sometimes love isn't enough. And sometimes love doesn't always win. Sometimes you have to do the right thing. Sometimes you have to follow your head because your heart has alterior motives. Your heart is selfish, but you shouldn't always be that way.
5) I can live in the "barn" all by myself...and my parents thought I couldn't "survive" on my own. Do they not remember I am "Miss Independent"???
6) Family do not always make the best of friends. Family is just that family. They are the people you can't ignore and you can't get rid of. Therefore, they don't always have to be your friend. But in the end, you learn that they mean well and they hurt for you.
7) I learned what I value. I learned what virtues are most important to me and which ones I seek to find in others. I admire a person that says, "You may not have made the choice I would've chosen, but you are still important to me." I value a person with empathy, fairness, and compassion.
So, here's to transformation. Here's to a fresh perspective. Here's to living.

Exhaustion

Ok, so I am paying for the late night last night. I was so riled up last night that I just couldn't sleep! But I am sleepy tonight.
Kylie is 3 for 3 this week on green notes....BANG on wood--don't knock! However, Weston got a red note yesterday! Not for anything major, just talking (I have no clue where my son gets that!)....But it upset him enough that I don't think it will happen again for awhile. But Kylie seems to be doing great in school. She came home yesterday reciting the pledge of allegiance to the US flag, the Christian flag, and the Bible. It was so cute to listen to her! She has been very helpful around the house as well. I think she's really adjusting well. Again, please BANG on wood for me. I really don't want to jinx this thing.
Well, those medical tests I mentioned came back just fine today. They weren't anything major, just ruling out thyroid issues, etc. So, that was good news. I really didn't want anything else to deal with right now if possible.
Did you see the finale of Rockstar??? I can't believe the winner! So glad I didn't buy tickets to that concert. I would've easily picked Dilana or Toby over Lukas. He's just not that great to me. Oh well, not my decision!
I promise to crank out something prolific in the next few days--I know boring details of my day-to-day life just aren't the best reading material, but give me a little slack and I'll get something better on here later.

Evolve vs. Change

So we have this new professor for classes this fall. I have tried to remain unbiased while my core group hasn't been his biggest fan, however tonight I lost any liking for him I might have had. First, he needs to check the ego at the door. To me, a graduate level class is not a time to make students feel "wrong" especially during abstract discussions. Secondly, lose the whole "quiz" thing and the over-worry about checks/balances...again, GRADUATE level course (hey and the degree is Leadership and ETHICS). But, tonight he sent me over the edge. It was over determining if evolving and changing have the same meaning. To me, they don't. Evolving means "gradual development". Changing means "different from what it is". Not the same thing. We were discussing the meanings of these words in terms of one's values. Can your values change? Can they evolve? He says the two questions are the exact same. So, I brought up the point that they are two different questions. I used the example that I am a female, however I have evolved over time from a girl to a woman, yet I am still a female. Now, change would be if I became a boy/man at some point. Oh no. He had to spend 20 minutes arguing that I was completely wrong--they are the exact same concepts. He uses some lame example that an acorn changes to a tree because you can't see the acorn when it becomes a tree. Yes, you can...you see a mature acorn which evolves into a tree! It drove me up the wall that he was not about to be wrong. That's the biggest problem that some of my friends in the class have had with him thus far. Every time we try to make a point, he argues. There is no room for discussion. What happens? Complete shutdown where the group just wants class to end. I just felt like he was being a complete pompous prick by trying to prove himself, yet everything he said supported my point. Whatever. I'll rip him on the eval.
So, that helped w/the whole decision over missing class for CCR's concert. I'll be attending the concert.
Today, overall was just a crappy day. It started with a wellness doctor visit that involved into far to much...bloodwork, ultrasounds, etc. I'll leave it there. Hopefully the results are good tomorrow. Then, our marketing group met with our VP to voice our concerns only to just get shutdown. So, walking into class to a brick wall of a professor didn't exactly end the evening on a high note...oh, and I am greeted at the door of my "sorry excuse for a house" by a huge tarantula. YUCK. Therefore, it's 11:15 pm and I can't sleep.
So, here's to tomorrow. Maybe my attitude will change. Because we wouldn't want it to evolve!!!

Manic Monday

Well, it really wasn't a "manic" Monday, but being Monday makes the day bad from the beginning. Actually, my day was pretty uneventful...no complaints here. First, Kylie got a green note, yes a GREEN note. I have probably jinxed the rest of the week now, but we are off to a good start. The kids picked out their Halloween costumes yesterday and true to her colors, Kylie didn't get a "girly" costume. I will wait to do the big "reveal" on Halloween as to what we went with, but just know that she never ceases to amaze me. So, that part of Halloween is complete. They are going to be cute!
We went to our Fantasy Football party tonight. It was nice to catch up w/the old gang. Everyone's kids are growing!
I have been a bad student this week and haven't done my reading and our discussion question is due tomorrow before class starts, so I guess I better get started. I keep reminding myself--16 hours completed so far and 18 hours to go including finishing the class I am in. And, only 44 class meetings left!

5

Well, Weston went to his first game last night and had such a great time! He had many stories to tell...I am afraid I may lose my ticket to the rest of the games! :) I am glad he enjoyed it though, it was definitely a great experience for him.
Kylie and I just hung out yesterday. We went shopping after I took Kristen's senior pictures and then came home. Kyle has been on my case to clean out the DVR recordings--there are programs on there from 2 years ago (sorry, the John Mayer/Brad Paisley Crossroads episode is staying!!), so I went through the list of recordings and deleted as much as possible. On there, I found where I had recorded Mitch Albom's The Five People You Meet In Heaven. I hadn't watched it yet and there was nothing on TV, so I thought I would watch it. It was alright in terms of viewing, but it's great thought-provoking material. Who would the 5 people be that I would meet and why? Now I realize I am not as old as the man in the movie, so I haven't had many friends/family die, but I could definitely think of a few. If you aren't familiar with the movie, it's basically about a man who dies and when he enters heaven, he meets 5 different people that have a lesson to teach him. Many questions from life are answered for him through these meetings. Anyway, I started thinking about who would my 5 people would be if this were a real occurence when we get to heaven and I could only come up with a few. I am sure these people could change as life goes on, but if were to die today, here's who would be there so far and what I could learn from them:

1) Auntie Karen--I think the greatest lesson from this meeting would be asking for her forgiveness for taking the last few years of her life for granted. I have learned from her death that we never know when our last day will come--we are not guaranteed a minimum amount of years. She and I weren't on the best of terms at the time of her death. Yet we had such great times together when I was growing up. She was almost like a big sister to me! However, her last years were spent being sick and I didn't understand why she wasn't as she used to be. I distanced myself from her due to my ignorance. Sure, there were times she did things that just weren't right, but I think my reaction should've been to let more things just go than to hang on to those issues and hold them over the relationship. She was hard to handle the last few years of her life, but those were her last years and I regret the time I lost with her. She was family and I denied her the right to be my Aunt.
2) Gabe Murray--Gabe was a guy that I met in the 8th grade at church camp. Erika and I became really good friends with Gabe and his buddy Bubba Farmer and even kept in touch with letters for a longtime afterwards. I'll never forget getting the letter from Bubba that told me Gabe had passed away. He was so young! I learned a lot from this even at a young age....I learned that being a kid doesn't mean we are immortal. I think at that time I just assumed that I could do anything. I learned that friendships are strengthened through tough times more than the easy times. Several years later, Bubba was at my wedding. I think Gabe's passing created a bond with us and we became great friends and wrote each other for years. I also learned to cry, to feel the pain of what it's like to lose someone.
3) My step-brother I never knew--I never met him. He was a boy that was fathered by my real Dad with a woman and he passed away at about 14 years old. I learned that things aren't always what they seem. People aren't who they are. I never knew that my real Dad had fathered another child (in his defense, he didn't know until then either). I had assumed in my naiveness that people are good and they are true to their word. That boy's existence showed me that I placed my Dad on a pedestal that even he couldn't stand on. I learned that people fall. They make mistakes. They are only human.
4) "Mutt" Bell- Kyle's great grandma passed away at nearly 100 years old. Sure, she wasn't always in her right mind at the end, but that lady knew me and treated me as one of her own from day one. She taught me that I was important to at least someone in Kyle's family. I never felt unwelcomed when that lady was around. She would seek me out, hug me, and call me by name. She was a bright light in an otherwise dark place for me. She was funny with the stories she would tell and the things she would say. I want to be like her when I grow up! She taught me that no matter who we are, we are someone to somebody. I admired her respect. I admired her willingness to not judge, but rather welcome everyone.
The last spot is reserved for later. I can think of people that are still living who have taught me a lot in this life. I know there are people that could shed some light on some unanswered questions that I don't even realize right now. Anyway, I enjoyed the lesson in the movie (actually based on a book). I am who I am because of the people in my life that have shaped and molded me with their insight, their connection to me. Sometimes life plays out in a way we don't understand and may not even like at times. But there is a reason for it. People enter our lives and exit our lives at a time that is not for us to decide. And with their visit is a meaning, a purpose.
So, thanks to all of you that I have crossed at some point in life. Thank you for making me who I am today.

Blast from the Past!

Well, it's official! Stahl is a married man....and true to his word. The ceremony lasted 7 minutes. We almost missed it! But we had a great time after the wedding catching up with the old gang. It didn't take 5 minutes to travel 12 years into the past....we had a lot of catching up to do, but the group definitely picked up right where they left off. There was the same group...Nut, Stahl, Danny, Larin, Eddie D., Crook, Coy, and us with a few new ones. We called JB on the phone since he wasn't there to catch up w/him as well. Nut is getting married at the end of this month as well! This has definitely been another "wedding year"...it seems to go in phases and it's been awhile since I have known people that were getting married. We hung out at the River Front until the reception was over and then all headed to the old "Hog Call's" to hang out awhile longer. Here we were with me in a fancy dress and high heels sitting under the Garrison Bridge watching my husband do the dolphin on the lawn and listening to stories about S-10's, mini-vans, and hanging out at Food Plus/The Village. What a trip. I was just laughing inside at how no one had really changed...I think Kyle and I were the most progressed out of the group (wait, that was my husband doing the dolphin....nevermind). Definitely good times.
Well, Weston is off for his 1st Hogs game...hope he has a blast. I would love to go, but I really wanted him to get to see it as well. Plus, he has been excellent this week and I think he deserves the reward! So, I will hang out w/Miss Delinquent and see what trouble she and I can get into! :)
I do have some pictures to take today, so I will "work" for a bit, but after that I think she and I will head to the mall or something.

Tiny Dancer

Well, tonight was Kylie's 1st dance class...she looked SO cute in her little dance outfit! A pink leotard, black leg warmers, and a cute black "dance" tee! However, she is going to have to start minding at school. She got ANOTHER red note today. I was livid. The girl doesn't even respond to bribes. I told her she could have a new toy for just one week without a red note and she can't even do that (and it was a 4 day work week!!). So, I guess I am at my wit's end. I have no clue what to do/not do to get her to behave. I swear she'll get kicked out of kindergarten....
Ok, so I got a new haircut yesterday....not sure if I like it or not. I was making fun of myself all day today....I guess it was just a little more than I had anticipated. Oh well, it's only hair, right?
It's that time of year--Halloween costume selection. The kids have been pouring over the Costume Express magazine trying to determine what they are going to be....I know what I am going to be...in debt. These costumes aren't cheap!! So far, Kylie's choices are The Incredibles, Razorback Cheerleader, or Ariel the Mermaid. Tomorrow I am sure she'll have 5 other characters picked out. Weston is just non-committal...he really wants to be a pirate, but since Kylie was a pirate last year, I am trying to encourage him to be something different. And the bummer thing--I have class that night! Hopefully our professor will either switch it or I guess I will take the kids to a fall carnival or something.
Hey, guess what, we got a new gate opener! His name is Weston. He has decided he wants to open the gate and he has it figured out and I am thrilled! It's cute though watching him grow up. And a little sad. He's becoming such a little man. Right down to the sports! He'll be attending his first Hogs game this weekend and he's found a NASCAR driver he wants to follow. And let me tell you, that kid can talk the game! He asks questions and is learning the insight behind the sports. It's cute!

Hump Day

Get your mind out of the gutter. GEEZ. It's Wednesday. Well, Kyle's grandma was taken back to the ER last night and they ended up admitting her. She's got a kidney infection on top of whatever is going on in terms of the possibility of a stroke. So, hopefully they can help her and she'll start feeling better. I also got to see my Dad for the first time tonight since his surgery. He's doing great, but I got to see his battle wounds. You know, his chest didn't look as bad as his legs looked. His legs had a lot of blood trapped under the skin and they were quite swollen. They just looked like one big bruise. The cut in his leg was literally from his ankle to his knee (to give a little background here, they took a vein from each leg, cut it in half, and used the 4 pieces in his heart).
Well, let me just say, having a blog is kind of lonely. Why? Well, because you call your friends to talk and they don't answer. That's understandable. However, then they don't call back, so you start worrying about them and give them a call. Well, they explain that they're keeping up with you through the blog, so they're good. Hey, I still love ya, Andria! :)

Tuesday

Well, 3 class meetings down, only 5 more of this class to go. But, hey this one is NOTHING like the last two. It's somewhat interesting, has human interaction, and doesn't require NEAR the amount of outside work as the last two!
Well, Mom and Jim are home finally. Jim seems to be doing pretty good. He showed the kids his scar tonight. I wasn't there, but if I know Weston I am sure he was analyzing it very intensely.
Well, Stahl is getting married Friday....yes, you saw it. He promised a 5 minute wedding with a 3 hour reception! So, hopefully we will have some good times Friday night...I haven't seen that group in awhile, so I am anxious to catch up with the clan.
Well, it's bedtime...

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I couldn't think of a catchy title for today's post...just not in a creative mode I guess. My Dad should get to come home from the hospital today. They'll stay in LR for a few days, but he's making awesome progress. However, we bring one home, we have another enter. Kyle just got a call....they think his Grandma has had a stroke and they are taking her to the ER. Wow. I feel like we are definitely being challenged in terms of family right now. Is it to reevaluate their meaning in our lives? The role they play in helping us be ourselves? I am not sure. But I know it has definitely been a trying and challenging time as we deal with these possibilities of change and the adaption that life demands. I know I have taken people for granted, times in my life for granted not knowing that tomorrow may be different. Not realizing that life is not static.
So, to the dynamics of life. May the challenges not overcome me.

GO HOGS!

Well, we are headed up the hill to watch the hogs play today. I haven't been to a Razorback game in two years, so I am ready for game day! We are going to tailgate a bit before the game and then it'll be time for the big game! Our seats aren't great-but guess what? We are IN the stadium and that's all that matters!! :)
Next week, Kyle is going to take Weston to the game. He has wanted to see the hogs play in person for a long time, so I am going to let him have my seat and go to the game! He has to get green notes all week (good behavior) at school and he has to be good at home, otherwise he doesn't go! I know he can do it though, especially knowing he gets to see the hogs play!
Well, I am outta here-gotta get ready for the football game!!!
GO HOGS GO!!!!!