Oodles of New Photos

I've posted dozens & dozens of new photos - click on the link to the right - new photos start near the end of page three.

My children are struggling with allergies...especially Kristen. She was having such a hard time breathing last night that I ended up sleeping in the recliner while holding her semi-upright so she could breathe and stay asleep for more than a few minutes at a time without becoming distraught. Made for a tough night for me and as a result, today wasn't so great. It seems that when I'm tired and frazzled, Owen senses the chaos and chooses those times to test his limits. And of course it's those times when it would be most easy just to let the rules go rather than trying to enforce them. I feel very strongly, however, that despite the all-day struggle, it helps him feel secure to know that even when mommy's feeling chaotic and the house is teeming with tension, house rules still apply. Maybe that's why he tests the limits so much on those days. I don't know. Anyway, I'm glad this evening is a new evening and tomorrow is a new day. :)

Today was Herb's first day back (officially) and from what he says, it went very well. YAY! Get the semester off on the right foot! Tomorrow morning I'm going to the doctor and then when I get back I'm taking Owen over to his school to have another look around (and check out their progress in getting set up).

What a day

Started the day off right with a little stroll around the 'hood with the family. Got home and got ready for the LLL 50th shindig, piled all the stuff and the kids into the car, and off we went. We had 37 people show up to celebrate and it was filled with friendship, food, and fun (as advertised, ha ha). Herb stayed home and worked. Got home and went to dinner at Dizzy's Grill, which was not as great as I'd hoped (they were out of raspberry sprite and had no specials, which usually are better than the menu). Bathed the kids and I'm exhausted and ready to flop into bed & pass out.

Them Doggies...& other stuff

The Aussie is back with his family. They'd called the Humane Society twice, it turns out. The first time "Buster" hadn't been delivered there yet, and by the second time, he was with us. I was so happy to see him reunited with his family. The Husky goes in for her spay tomorrow and then will be kenneled until her new family takes her.

We had a great day today. This morning we visited w/the F. family (www.ejerph.com) and then headed over to Wild Oats (http://www.wildoats.com/u/store146/) to connect with their new community liaison and solidify their support of my LLL Group(http://www.lllusa.org/AROK/littlerock/), as well as pick up supplies for tomorrow's WBW celebration. I'm looking forward to the par-tay and I'm looking forward to having it checked off the to-do-list as well.

I talked to my sister-in-law Nancy the other day and they've confirmed that she's having a girl! They'll name her Emily Jane and she's due to arrive around Halloween...maybe sooner. Nancy's feeling very well and will not return to teaching this year so that she can stay home with her new daughter.

This weekend's events are: Saturday morning - prepare for WBW Celebration, Saturday afternoon - participate in said celebration, Sunday morning - zoo, Sunday afternoon - clean house.

August 24th, 2006

It's been entirely too long since I've posted to les blog. I worked, and then I finished working, and now I've received one paycheck of what I hope will be a series. I haven't heard yet whether or not I'll receive fewer teachers this year than last, and if I will (*fingers crossed*) lose some of the teachers I find harder to work with. I hope to have no newbies this year.

I've started walking/running again courtesy of a ridiculously embarassing soreness episode following a sprint to the potty at the park one day. No one should be sore after a 100-or-so-yard dash to the potty. No one. Well, maybe if you're 76 and have had a knee replacement or two, but otherwise, no excuse for that. So back to the most addictive sport known to man - The Run. Day One was pathetic, but since I seem to thrive on sharing embarassing tidbits with those I love...here it goes. I think it took me about 18 or 19 minutes to go one mile. That does include some jogging, too. I kid you not. In my own defense, I do have a hilly neighborhood, but if I was on trial for out-of-shape-ness, I'd still be found guilty. So now it's Day Twelve and I'm down to 14 minutes for the same neighborhood trek. The scale has rewarded me with a few pounds gone and my size 8 shorts aren't pornographically clingy anymore either.

I think I make this statement every time I post, but my Kristen is getting so big! She's now five months & nine days, just under fifteen pounds and has graduated from the infant carrier courtesy of her new 26" length. I bought a nifty new car seat for her and got the straps appropriately adjusted this afternoon. Owen then dragged her around the kitchen chanting, "Choo Choooo!"

Herb's back to work and classes officially start Monday. I'm so glad he won't be teaching nights this semester and he seems to be ready to start the new year. I think it really helped him a lot to take a couple of weeks totally off this summer - not working at all. He played with pet projects and with us.

We've taken in two dogs who were scheduled to be euthanized in the morning. One will go to her foster family after being spayed Monday morning but the other, a super-cute Australian Shepherd will be living with us through the end of September at least (y'all know we have soft spots for a) dogs about to be murdered and b) Australian Shepherds). What are we going to name him? First we thought we'd name him Newboy, because he's the new boy, but that's, well, sort of lame. Then we thought of naming him Thibodeaux, to go with Boudreau, but I felt like then that leaves Denver out of it, and that bothers me. So we're back to no name. If you have a good suggestion, let me know.

Owen is amazing. He's moving beyond toddler to little boy now and is kind, thoughtful, funny, well-mannered and smart. He begins school on Monday, Sept. 11 and will go twice a week. I took him to his classroom the other day to show him around and he seemed very comfortable and happy. As the classroom gets set up, I think it'll get even better. The director was very nice and we got to meet one of his classmates whose family happened by to fill out paperwork while we were there. I plan to bring him a couple more times between now and then to help him adjust.

Nothing else to report for now, and I'm tired so I'm off to bed. I do intend to be more regular with postings, but no promises.