Spring Break

Well, it is finally time for spring break.  I am more than ready for spring in general.  The weather has been pleasant and it seems that the severe temperature extremes have stopped.... for now anyways.  This past week was very enjoyable.  Our oldest son, Kevin Jr, came down to visit for several days.  We had a nice time and he was able to spend time with most of his siblings and "adopted" siblings.  We had a cookout Wednesday night and the house was full of laughter, good smells, and delicious food.  It was difficult to get the little boys to bed, they were so excited to have all their brothers with them for the evening.  Their excitement might have something to do with their sugar intake as well.  Kevin made a coca cola cake which is loaded with sugar for dessert. 
Alas all good things eventually come to an end.  Kevin Jr left yesterday to go back to Princeton, we probably won't get to see him again until summer.  Each time he leaves, it seems to get harder for me.  I was ready for when he left for college.  I knew and understood that this was the phase of life he was moving into.  I know that this is what he is suppose to be doing and I am happy for him, but I do miss him.  At times it is hard to remember him as a baby or little boy.  He has grown into a wonderful young man.  He is more than I could ever ask for.  I guess maybe I have learned to enjoy each moment we have with our children, they grow up so fast. 
With our younger boys, I am trying not to make the same mistakes I made with Kevin Jr.  I hope I am doing better.  I feel Kevin Jr is who he is in spite of me and my mistakes and I thank God for that.  Kevin Jr is terrific with his younger siblings.  I don't know to many 25 year old's, who make time to play hide and seek, as well as tag, with their younger siblings.  He also tries to teach them new things when he is here and makes sure he reinforces school to them.  Kevin Jr has a passion for math and science, I find it wonderful that he shares that with his siblings and helps them cultivate their area of interests too.  I am very proud of him.  He will graduate with his PhD in Mathematics next May.  He plans to continue his studies post-doctoral and teach.  I keep waiting for him to invent a new number;)
This coming week, the younger children and I will be going to help my mother pack and move into an apartment.  She has finally sold her house and she is ready.  Having a house is a big responsibility and she is ready to simplify.  Her plan is to move to San Antonio at the end of the year.  The boys are so excited.  They miss her and want her to be here all of the time.  It will be nice to be able to spend more time with my mom and be available if she needs me.  It is hard for me at times to acknowleged the she is not indestructible.  I still see her as I did as a child, tall and strong.  She does not look her age and she is still tall and strong, but I can see somethings are not as easy for her as they used to be.  I don't want to see any changes, she is my mom and I want her to stay the same.  I wonder if my children feel the same way sometimes.  I guess as I have gotten older the thought that she might not be there one day creeps closer.  I want to make sure I don't miss opportunities to be with her and savor the love that comes from only a mother.

Winter? Spring? ????

The weather in south central Texas has been as varied as the rest of the country has this year.  We went from freezing temperatures to warm short weather in the span of a few days.  It seems like every morning you have to poke your head or body out the door to see how you should dress.  I really haven't minded the weather changes, I just don't want any broken pipes from freezing weather.  With the extreme changes in weather, it has been difficult to keep some of my plants alive.  My poor hybiscus plant died, and several other small plants are not fairing too well at this point.  I will have some work cut out for me this spring with planting new and hopefully fairly hardy plants.  I have found that I am able to grow very few things without killing them.  I am afraid I don't possess a green thumb.  I have even managed to kill cactus.  So far I have not killed any fake plants.  My mother says she can even kill those.  Well I have to go uncover my plants now, today is a warm day and they could use the sunshine:)

The Busyness (sp) of life

These past few weeks have been a flurry of activity for our family.  Getting back in the routine after the holidays has been a little challenging.  It has not been as stressful as I thought it would be, just a full active schedule.  Now it is Rodeo time and Kevin and I will be spending some of our free hours helping in the first aide areas.  It is a nice break from the hospital routine for us both.  We have been volunteering for about 9 years, and we thoroughly enjoy our time spent there.  We have met some wonderful people and feel like we have made many new friends.  We try to take the children at least once so they can ride the rides and see the animals.  The boys love that part, Jaclyn is more into the rides.  Well, have to get back to the routine, have to blog later.

Awards

Today I had the pleasure of attending my son Matthew's first grade award ceremony.  The class has an award ceremony at the end of each nine weeks.  The ceremony and awards, seem to help the children stay on task throughout the long year.  This was the first award ceremony I was able to attend for this school year.  I went early to have lunch with Matthew.  I hadn't told him I was coming and so he was very surprised when I walked into the cafeteria behind his class.  Matthew is so sweet, he excused himself from the line and went to the end so he could walk through with me.  After he chose steak fingers, milk, and apple juice for lunch we went and sat with his class.  They are a very energetic group of children.  All of the children were excited about the award ceremony and several were worried about when their parents would get there.  I didn't see too much being eating, but I did see quite a bit of bouncing, laughing, and playing.  After lunch they had a bathroom break and then went to class to prepare for the award ceremony.  I waited in the hall so Mrs. Conlee could get the children to focus on what needed to be completed.  Several parents were able to attend, but due to the time many could not.  My heart went out to those little ones whose parents couldn't make it.  Matthew received several awards; one for academic achievement, one for citizenship, and one for being on time for the nine weeks.  The whole ceremony was about thirty minutes.  Each of the children received at least one award, many had more.  Everyone clapped and cheered for their friends and themselves.  After it was over Matthew walked me to his door and gave me a big hug and kiss.  I definitely made his day by being there.  It is not always easy, but many times, he receives such happiness and pleasure when Kevin and I arrange time to participate with him at school or other activities.  Matthew is such a sweet boy, he has a generous and loving spirit as well.  I call him my miracle baby.  When I was five weeks pregnant with him, I started bleeding and passing large clots.  It was the same situation I had several years before and I lost the baby.  It was after office hours and my OB/GYN sent me to the ER.  I had called Kevin at work basically in despair and fear.  He came home right away, which is hard when you are a nurse.  You have to have someone take care of your patient assignment.  We went to the ER and the doctor on call ordered a ultrasound.  It was a relief and miracle that Matthew's little heart was beating and strong.  I had prayed and cried out to God.  I just kept asking Him to keep this baby safe and God did!  I stopped bleeding while in the ER.  At five weeks there is not really anything the doctors can do, so I was placed on bedrest at home and told to call my doctor on Monday for follow up.  The ER had drawn blood, but they had to wait on results for some and would let my doctor and myself know.  My progesterone level was low and with replacement progesterone for 12 weeks, I was able to carry Matthew to term.  When he was born, I felt and feel to this day, that he was and is a miracle.  He has brought joy and happiness to me and our family.  He has a wonderful sense of humor and likes to share with all those around him.  He grows so much daily and at times I want to take him back to those days when he would lay in my arms and just look at me.  He still likes to be with me and look at me, but he is grwoing up much faster than I would like.  Children are such blessings, and we have them for such a short time.  I wish I knew how to draw the time out, he will be off to college before I know it:)   

Sweet 16

Our wonderful daughter, Jaclyn, turned 16 this weekend.  She had several friends over for a slumber party Saturday.  Kevin made homemade pizza and Jaclyn wanted a Krispy Kreme donut cake for her birthday cake.  We clean up the house during the day and since Kevin was home finished a few small projects around the house.  I went out later in the afternoon to get the cake, groceries, and not to be forgotten, soda!  You can't have a birthday party without soda.  I didn't get back until several of the girls had already arrived and Kevin had one pizza made and completed.  I had forgotten my phone at home and did not know we needed more mozzarella cheese.  As soon as I got home, Kevin ran out for more cheese.  Jaclyn and her friends seem to have a good time.  We had bought Guitar Hero for the Wii, so the girls gave that a try and were going to work out to the Zumba fitness game as well.  Since several of the girls could not spend the night, we had "cake" and opened presents first.  The cake consisted of five dozen donuts.  I think 2 1/2 were eaten that night and another 1 1/2 for breakfast.  All I can say is that I am glad most of the donuts are gone.  It is hard to eat just one, just two, just three, Krispy Kreme donuts and stop.  The boys were on a sugar high Saturday night and Sunday morning.  Hopefully they didn't bother the girls too much.  I think Zach has a crush on Michaela.  He really seemed to like her and couldn't stop talking about her.  He is only four, it's too soon for this mama.  We spent the rest of Sunday as a family.  We took Jaclyn to Sprint to get her a new phone for her birthday.  She chose the Sprint Evo, I'm not sure I'll actually talk to her again.  She can voice text, so she may not feel the need to actually talk.  I sure hope not!!  I can't believe how grown up she is.  It feels like just yesterday that she was a baby.  The years have flown by and now she is young woman.  She has grown into a talent, beautiful young lady.  I look forward to spending time with her as she continues to grow into adulthood.  We have been blessed by Jaclyn.  Jaclyn has and is such a help to us, especially me.  I pray that God continues to protect her, helps her to grow into the Godly woman he has called her to be, and will bless her with compassion, kindness, and grace.  I love Jaclyn and I thank God for placing you in our family.  You are truly beautiful inside and out.  Love mom.

Shots!!!!!

     I had to take my two boys to the doctor yesterday for their yearly physicals.  I will admit I dread taking them to the doctor.  It is not because they misbehave or act out or anything like that, it getting to the office, waiting in the office, dealing with insurance, and the possibility that one of the boys might be due for a shot.  The boys' doctor is wonderful and I really like him.  He is kind and patient with the boys and me (the mom).  He doesn't treat me like I'm a dummy or since I'm a nurse I should know or understand everything.  I may be a nurse, but pediatrics is not my specialty!  I leave ped's, as it is known, to braver souls than I.  The first time I had to give a toddler a shot, I cried with the toddler.  Neither the toddler nor I had a good day.  Both the boys are in good health, praise God, but poor Zach needed three shots.  He had to have all his boosters at once, at least he doesn't need any more until he is about eleven.  I had to help hold him, and I tried to reassure him, but after the first shot he knew what was going to happen next.  Two arms and one leg later we were able to leave.  Zach did get a sticker, but that didn't provide much comfort.  So since he was such a good boy, I told him he could stay home from preschool today and spend the day with mom.  That made him much happier and Matthew sad.  Matthew did not need any shot, but he wanted to stay home from school with mom.  I told him he would have his turn another day, but he was still sad. 
     We made it home in time to rest for a short time before I had to leave to go to the rodeo meeting.  Kevin and I help the medical committee out each year at the rodeo.  The medical committee provides minor care for those attending and participating in the rodeo.  EMS is there for major medical problems, but the medical committee volunteers help with minor issues.  I enjoy helping and watching all the people.  Praise God there has never been any major injuries over the years.  The committee provides the services free of charge and many feel comforted knowing there are those around to help if needed.  Kevin and I signed up for several different shifts, some together and some separate.  It is fun when we work together and we get to spend some quality time together as well.  Sometimes the volunteers get to go in the arena station to volunteer and they can watch the rodeo or show after.  I like to be in the outside stations, near the people and horses (I am a horse lover) the most.  I will go if they need me to into the arena station, but it is not my preference.  This year they have Mercy Me (a Christian group) playing on one of the nights.  I might try to get Jaclyn and I tickets if she wants to go.
     So far my thirty days of only Christian music is going well.  I have purchased some new albums and Jaclyn has been down loading them to our ipods.  I bought Kutless's album 'Strong Tower' and it is awesome.  I just want to listen to it over and over.  I also bought a Todd Agnew two album CD with his song 'Grace Like Rain'.  His music is awesome as well.  Of course, my favorites are always with me, Third Day, Casting Crowns, Jeremy Camp, and DC Talk.  I am so thankful for technology.  I can now have my favorite music with me and it fits inside a device smaller than my cell phone, WOW.  Well, I'm going to  put in my head phones and start organizing my linen closet.  Wish me luck. 

Weekends, laundry and the Last Hanah Montana Episode

     I love the weekends, we don't have to worry about school for two days.  I enjoy the downtime with Jaclyn and the boys.  We don't have any set agenda and can do as we please.  Most weekends we try to do some cleaning, and of course the never ending battle of laundry.  For our family we normally have about eight loads of laundry for the week.  I don't mind washing and drying, but I am really not a fan of folding the laundry.  I have been married for twenty-six years and so far I have never encountered a laundry elf.  So this means Jaclyn and I are the laundry elves.  We think we have all the laundry completed, and bam, we find some more.  This weekend we thought we had found it all, but alas the boys out smarted us and managed to hide some in their rooms.  Oh well, that's life.
     We did have some fun just relaxing this weekend.  Saturday was a good day for a fire, which we had and we made smores.  Smores are addictive, you can't eat just one.  At first my husband, Kevin, made fun of me for saying that... until he had eaten three and was considering going for another.  They are simple treats, but taste so good.  The fire felt great as well and having a fire helps with the heating bill.
     This weekend was a long weekend as well.  To me that is best kind of weekend, three or four days.  If every day could be a weekend day, I would be in heaven.  Today, was just a relax day.  We did get out and run a few errands.  Bed, Bath & Beyond is becoming one of my favorite places, we made a short stop there today.  I needed more cork shelf liner.  I have been slowly relining the kitchen shelves and found that the cork liner is more durable for the pots, pans, and small appliances.  I have about half of the kitchen completed and will continue to work on it until all of the shelves have been relined.  We stopped by Sam's Club for a few bulk items.  If I am not careful, I could go crazy in Sam's.  I really like the electronic section.  Today, I made myself walk right by and tried not to even look.  Sometimes looking gets me into trouble.  We finished our errands at JC Penney's.  They have the shampoo that Jaclyn and I like to use, so that was our last stop.  While I was there I found some new nail polish colors and picked up one for Jaclyn and myself.
     Back at home, the last item on today's agenda was the new and last Hannah Montana Forever episode.  We taped (or DVR) this episode so that none of the children (Jaclyn, Matthew, Zach, and Mom) would miss a single second of it.  It really is a cute show, and the boys now most of her songs.  I am happy to say that they know the words to more Christian song, though.  They have been listening to KLOVE with Jaclyn and I this month as well and have their own very favorite songs.  Well this is the end of a very nice long weekend.  Back to work and school tomorrow.