2009-12-15

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Official Christmas Blog Entry

So, this is the supposed last entry that I think I will have time for before Christmas, unless I find time to upload my pix of Parker with Santa and Lukin not so much by Santa. I just wanted to take this opportunity to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and I hope that everyone gets to spend some time with their family and friends and that they get to take a little time to remember what the season is all about. Have a great holiday and talk to everyone again soon!

Maintain

So the kis at school are out of control and we still have 3 days left. All there is to do is try to maintain calm, even if there isn't a lot of learning going on.

The holidays

Christmas is a fun time of year. But why is it so hectic? I don't get why it has to be like this.

I also don't get what is up with me this year. We set up our little tree and hung our little "Merry Christmas" sign by the door, but other than that, none of the decorations came out. I didn't even remember to dig out my Christmas CDs until last night around midnight, and I just started wearing Christmas socks today.

I am not sure what it could be. It's not like Christmas snuck up on me. I knew it was coming. It just feels different somehow this year, and I can't really explain it.

Working

I am happy to say that I am now employed! I took the full time job. I am not as overly ecstatic as I thought I would be for having gotten a job, but it's okay. My husband says it's because I didn't get a job in our school district and that is why I am not overly excited. That could be. But don't get me wrong. I am excited.

But I have to admit that I had gotten spoiled in my last job: not working on Fridays, or if I did, not having to be there until 4:30, and the part I will miss the most: getting to wear jeans (supposed to be on Fridays but had become a 1-3 time per week thing). I am sure that I will get over this stuff. Most places don't get to wear jeans whenever they want, or duck out early on Fridays, so I guess I will live, but like I said, I was spoiled.

But anyway, YAY ME! I finally got a job until the end of the school year and it's supposedly going to be a continuing position so I may not have to worry about it for next year! Thank you to everyone who prayed for me to catch a break because I finally did!

Decisions

So, as some of you may know, I had two job interviews last week. And, as some of you may also know, I spent a good portion of the time since then hashing through the information from both because I need to make a decision about which one to pick. (For the first time in a very long time, I have two offers on the table!! The one guy told me that the job is mine if I want it. The other sent me an email saying that we had to complete some paperwork before I could start working with students.) I'm getting close to making that decision, but still am awaiting a couple more answers to a couple last minute questions from the one job. I will keep everyone posted on which job I choose.

Dear these people

Dear The Bodeans,

Please let me know which version of "Good Things" it is that my husband likes. Every time we are in the car and the song comes on, I tell him and he says it's not the version he likes.

J.

Dear Leslie J.,

Thank you for being the only other speech path I have ever met that said that she sometimes didn't feel like she knew what she was doing in her job. That made me feel good to know that I am not the only one who has days like that.

J.

Dear Matt S.,

I was trying to figure out what your deal was this past weekend. I mean, I don't get why you used to be so anti-Sioux hockey. Perhaps it was because you were on the Sioux swim team and they probably didn't get the coverage that the hockey team did. But had you ever gone to a game? There is no real way to go to a Sioux hockey game and not feel a kinship with those around you (unless they are from the opposing team, or that guy with the greased back hair and brown leather coat that sits in front of our row...then maybe you wouldn't). I just don't get how a Canadian who loves professional hockey can hate college hockey so much. I just don't get it.

J.

Worki-work, Busy Bee.

So last week was technically my last week at my current job. Today was supposed to be me bringing the regular SLP (although at this point, seeing as this is her first year at this building, I have been with the kids longer than she has) back up to speed. Well, she needed to do some things and so she asked if I would mind working with the kids. I didn't mind because it was supposedly my last day with them...

Well, it turns out that the SLP that just returned was there today, will be tomorrow and then will be off Wednesday and Thursday because she has to go to Illinois for a funeral. So she called her supervisor to see if I could come in and cover her days since she is getting charged for the days anyway and I was just here and know the kids better than she does. They gave her permission. She asked me, and I accepted, but only for Thursday. I have two job interviews on Wednesday, but Thursday will work.

This just lends itself to the fact that when things are going to settle down for me, (as they should for having just finished a job), things somehow manage to get more busy. It's going to be a long week with work today, subbing tomorrow at my old school, two interviews Wednesday and then back to my LTS school on Thursday...I won't be able to wait for Friday. But, that being said, I will be grateful for the paychecks all this work will yield.

Cap'n Crabby Pants

So today I am crabby. I don't really know why. I think because I have three days left at my job and a ton of things left to accomplish. Oy.

But the crabby continued when I got home because then I was all crabby at dinner over things that I don't need to get so worked up about: a kid with cancer on a basketball team, and more. I just have no patience (today) for this kind of stuff. In fact, I am too crabby to even get into why.

Tomorrow is the last day for the food drive at our school. I listen to the plea everyday and wonder why it's my job, as a substitute, to care about feeding everyone.

I guess I am just tired of everyone who thinks that they deserve a handout. I have days where I feel that I work my tail off and still have nothing to show for it, and it feels like no one else is in that boat ever. They are either the haves, or the sit at home on their ass and wait to become the haves, there are no have nots. I don't get it.

Tired

I've been back to work since Monday, but I am still pretty tired. Of course, when am I not exhausted being Mommy to two little boys? Perhaps its better as a rhetorical question.

Dear Parker

Dear Parker,

I know that being a parent comes with it's own set of sacrifices. This is not something that I didn't already know from spending time with your brother. However, I did not realize just how much sacrifice is sometimes involved in parenting.

For example, last week when I was home with H1N1, I opted not to take the medication that I had prescribed to me because I wasn't sure of any potential harmful effects to you. Then this week, my teeth are killing me. It may be sinuses as everyone has been pointing out to me. But even so, I can't do anything about it because, again, I don't want to do anything that might cause any harm to you. I just hope this pain goes away soon because it hurts. Sinuses or tooth pain, whatever it is, it really hurts.

A bit of everything

This is Lukin all dressed up for Gigi's 70th Birthday party. I know it's from a while back but I haven't gotten around to this stuff lately.


Here's Parker that same day. My cousin Kellie was making him giggle. It was so cute!


Lukin's first day at his new school and his first day riding the school bus!


Parker discovering his feet...while wearing his first UND onesie.


Lukin helping Grandma make Mommy's birthday cake.


Not to be outdone, Parker getting ready to help Mommy make some brownies another time.


Mommy with her birthday cake. It was very yummy! Thanks Grandma and Lukin!!


Wearing our Twins gear.


Parker reading his halloween card.


Lukin reading his Halloween card.


Mommy's little pumpkins.


More pumpkins.



The boys ready to rock Halloween.


Last picture then we can go trick-or-treating.


All of us at Great-Grandpa Harold's 90th birthday party.


First (and only so far since Mommy has gotten sick) night of sleeping in the big boy crib!

H1N1

So, lucky me. I am home with H1N1. And I am sure glad that my inlaws live so close. The boys have been over there since Saturday (because it was girls' weekend), and so when Sonny took me to the Minute Clinic yesterday and we found out it was H1N1, the inlaws decided that they would keep the boys for a while longer. My mother-in-law said this morning that they would keep the boys until my fever goes down for like a day. But that could be days. My temp this morning was 101.2. But that was down from the 103.5 that I had Saturday night.

I am not going to take the Tamiflu that she wrote a prescription for. She said that there was no right or wrong answer on that one since there was not enough information to support that it was safe to take while nursing. Besides, when Lukin had the ILI, his pediatrician said that he could take it, but it would only shorten it up by about a day. That doesn't really seem worth it if I have to pump and dump for the duration of the medication.

Anyway, I miss the boys. I think that Lukin misses us too. Whenever I call over there, he is too busy snuggling with a shirt of mine that he has been carrying around. At least Daddy can go over and spend some time with them, but I don't get that luxury. At least, not for a couple of days anyway.

Scattered thoughts

Why is it that every time I decide to like a song, they stop playing it on the radio?

I apologize if anyone has emailed me lately and I haven't replied. I haven't gotten to really check my email since the weekend before Halloween. If you have anything urgent to tell me, it's almost better to text until Thanksgiving week.

Why am I afraid that I am going to end up taking a cold shower again tomorrow morning for the third day this week? Why can't they fix it one of the times they have been here? Like really fix it so it will work for longer than a day.

Why am I the only one who dresses up for work and doesn't wear jeans multiple times per week? Or better question, why does everyone else wear jeans multiple times per week?

Sleepy nigh nigh

With the job that I am currently working, I drive around 22 miles one way to work each day. That translates to at least 30 minutes on the road. (I allow for 40 minutes most days.) So this means I have to get up earlier to account for this drive time. I don't get to bed any earlier than I did when I worked here and so my sleeping window has shrunk. Add to that the fact that lately I am woken up at some point during the night to go tend to Lukin, and then again sometime later to nurse Parker. So I am more tired than I have been for a while. Probably since Parker was born.

In some ways, it's become a struggle to get all my things I like to get done each night done before I fall asleep. Tonight was no exception. After dinner at church, we returned home to do hand and feet prints with Parker, then gave the boys baths. By 8 pm, I was nursing Parker and Lukin was snuggled up beside me. I shut my eyes for a few seconds and when I opened them, about 10 minutes had passed and all three of my boys were asleep on the couch along with me.

Needless to say, we are a tired crew at my house. I mean I have always understood why Sonny was tired, with the hours he works, but now, I feel like I am right along with him. Add the fact that Lukin doesn't feel compelled to nap anymore, but needs to, and Parker won't nap many afternoons until I come home and nurse him. No wonder we all doze off during the evening.

Got a job?

I watch the news. It tries to tell me that the economy is on the mend and that the unemployment rate is dropping. I am not buying it. If everything is getting so much better, where are the jobs? More importantly, where is a job for me?

If you know me very well, you know that I freak out about money. I perpetually worry about not having enough. My husband knows this well enough to pretty much avoid ever talking to me about money. I melt down because, anyone who knows me knows that I was born to be a career woman, not a stay at home type gal and so staying at home and not making my own income kills me.

I don't ever remember any professor in any of my college classes saying that there was a likelihood of getting this degree and then having to roll it up and smoke it for all the good it was going to end up doing for me. I seem to remember them saying that there was this great need. Where the hell was that?

When I first entered the real world, I was so happy to have a 'real' job. I don't remember being overly worried about money, especially when I worked my 'real' job and worked weekends at my old job for something to do. But I wasn't worried. Now that I have two children and no permanent source of income, I am worried.

I shouldn't really complain. Currently, I am employed. But (and this will only make sense if you have ever worked in education) I am being paid for BA + 0 credits and 0 years when technically I should be making a salary of MA (BA + 60) + at least 6 years. That's quite a noticeable difference. It pisses me off too because I am helpless to do anything about it. As my husband says, it is a consistent source of income for a guaranteed amount of days. I could have not taken the job and hoped something better came along, and potentially sat with no pay.

I just pray that a permanent, full-time job reveals itself to me soon. One that I apply for and actually get offered to me. Like my mom said over the summer, I need a job for my own sanity.

Peace Group

I don't mean to be a pain in the ass (well, at least not all the time), but in the job I am currently employed in, I have to participate in something called "Peace Group". Now, don't get me wrong, peace is a good thing, but when I have deadlines to keep that are implemented by the state, the last thing I want to be doing with my free time is prepping for "Peace Group". No offense. I'm just not a creative entity that can think of a poster project for our group (and furnish my own supplies) by Wednesday. But I guess I will have to suck it up.

Geez. I sure am crabby lately.

So over it

I am so over my current job. I decided this after Friday when we had conferences from 7 am to 4 pm and I wasn't able to finish the list of stuff I wanted to finish. I ended up bringing a bunch of stuff home.

Under normal circumstances, that wouldn't bother me. But having seen the paycheck that I got this past week, I shouldn't have to do anything at work but breathe. You see, that paycheck could have only been the rate of pay that day-to-day subs get. It couldn't have possibly been the long-term-sub rate of pay.

I have an interview this week with another district for a full time job through the end of the academic year. I am keeping my fingers crossed. This is not to say that getting the position wouldn't cause it's own headache.

I spoke with the guy who hired me this week and asked him about what I would do if I was offered a full-time job elsewhere seeing as I don't have a contract (don't even get me started on that). I said that I would have to interview (which I am going to do) and get offered the job before it would be something I would have to worry about, but I just wanted to know. He eluded to having my license revoked. Over a long-term-sub position?!? Are you effin kidding me?!? I think I need a lawyer because that is just ridiculous!!

Mystery solved

Tonight, Sonny and I made our annual trek to the movie theater. And seeing how the last couple times we went to the movie in Lakeville, I didn't notice how much our local theater had changed.

Anyway, after getting through the entrance, we were going to stop and grab a pop to have during the movie, but we couldn't look at the menu because it was now like tv screens with animation on them. How can I know how much my Coke is going to cost if it's got animated popcorn popping and filling the screens?

As we were leaving the theater, I scoffed, "now I know why our snacks cost so much money. How else would they pay for that display?"

I'm in the know, even if I'm not.

I guess today was grey and purple day at school because a bunch of teachers wore that color combo. I was one of them, even though I didn't get the 'memo'. But that's the key, to play along like you know what is going on.

In other news, tomorrow is going to be a long day: class from 8-4, conferences from 4-9, and then turn around and start conferences again at 7am until 4pm on Friday. Needless to say, I will be happy for the weekend when it finally comes.

I wish

that we were done with colds, ear infections, and oh yeah, the 'influenza-like-illness' at our house. Either that or I wish that I would get a fever to go with my sore throat and cough so I, like Lukin, could stay home for a week. But I don't want to be that sick either. I couldn't handle the backup of work that I would have.

The Commute

When I was single, I used to be okay with commuting. It was nice to have some down time between work and home. I mean let's face it, from the time I was completing my clinical hours in grad school through my first four years of actual professional employment, I always had at least a 20 mile drive between me and work. And I liked that because I had time to decompress before getting home. And for the most part, I didn't really have anything I had to rush home for.

But now, in my new job, I do. And I don't so much like that on top of having an eight hour day away from my boys, I have to add a good 35-45 minute commute at each end of the day. It bums me out.

Misc. Information

So, this is the first entry now that I am a year older. Yay me.

Today was my first day at my new job. So far it seems okay. There was a district speech meeting today that I went to. That changed up my day from what it would normally be, but all in all it was okay. The worst part is the drive, even though it's not bad traffic-wise, it's just farther away than I wish to travel.

Lastly, CONGRATULATIONS MINNESOTA TWINS!! I'm gonna wear my new Joe Mauer jersey (that Sonny had won earlier this summer)tomorrow...hopefully that's okay!

Mystery Ticket

Last week, we went to the zoo. While we were walking, we saw Diego was standing and these two girls were handing out 'Mystery Tickets' to the MOA's Nickelodeon Universe. Sonny got two handed to him and I got two.

Now the tickets said that they were good for one of the following prizes: one free ride, one days worth of rides, or a years worth of rides. The catch is that once you scan the ticket, you must use it that day (except the years worth, of course). Well, I assume we are probably going to get four free rides out of the deal, so that's pretty cool.

Today, we happened to go to the mall for something to do while Ama and Jim were here. We went to MOANU to use the mystery tickets because I assumed that they were going to be for four free rides. Well, I used the first one, and the guy handed it back to me. I assumed that they were going to keep them, so I take it but then drop the tickets so I can't tell which was the first one.

Lukin and I go on a second ride and she keeps that ticket. Okay, still don't know why they guy didn't keep the first one. Then Grandpa Jim goes to take him on a bus ride that I took with him last November. The ride costs four points and Grandpa hands him a ticket and it's worth 3 points and he hands him another one and it is worth 100 points. That's right. Lukin had won a days worth of rides. Now we hadn't planned to stay at NU that long, but it turned into an all afternoon thing. But I think that Lukin had a blast. I have to admit that I had fun too!

I just wish that we had tried to use that ticket first! By the time we went to leave, we had used 39 points, so there were 61 points left. We walked out into the mall and gave the remaining 61 points to a family with two little kids. Grandpa Jim said the kids were so excited. That was pretty cool.

It doesn't tell us what was up with that other ticket, which probably won't work next time we go anyway (if it had also been 100 points worth). But at least we got to have an inexpensive days worth of fun. Thank you mystery tickets!

The 'Just Between Friends' Sale

Today we went to this 'Just Between Friends' consignment sale at the community center. It was pretty neat. It's kind of like this ginormous indoor garage sale, but it's all kids stuff, and it's from over 200 different people.

My mother-in-law asked me if I would like to go and check it out and even though I wanted to, I didn't at the same time because it was raining. But we went and I was glad we did. Although I wish I had brought more cash with me.

I was able to buy 4 shirts for Lukin, and a pair of khakis, jeans, two long sleeve onesies, and one outfit for Parker all for $26.50. I thought that was pretty sweet.

Mimi bought Lukin three pairs of navy blue pants, a pair of khakis with a sweater and turtleneck, and some Hot Wheels. She got Parker a car seat bag for traveling on the plane, socks and some onesies.

I was glad to go because Lukin needs some more pants now that the weather had chilled a bit. His 2Ts aren't going to do, unless he wants to have cold calves. And Parker needs long sleeved onesies, because for some reason, we don't have any in the size he is now.

Okay, Haley Joel.

So yesterday, we were driving to Target and I was doing my best to keep Lukin from falling asleep on the drive. So we found ourselves looking at the clouds. He looks at one and says that he sees a boy running. I smile at his imagination. Then I ask him, does the cloud look like a boy running, or do you actually see a boy running. He proceeds to tell me that he sees a boy running to which I respond, "Okay, Haley Joel."

What I got

So on Friday morning, I was up at 6:20 so that I could get ready to go to an second interview for a job. I was feeling pretty good about my chances, but then I got a phone call. I didn't recognize the phone number but it was local so I answered it. It was the guy from the job interview on Thursday (the one that I thought went really poorly). He said who he was and asked if he was calling too early. I reassured him that he was not, and he was glad.

I was pretty sure that he was calling to tell me that he had offered the job to someone else, but that is not what he said. He offered me the job and then he asked if I needed some time and I asked if that was okay, since I wanted to talk to Sonny and because I had two interviews on Friday. He said that he wanted to take care of it today and that he would be leaving for the weekend by 2 pm. Okay, I would have to think fast.

So, I called Sonny to tell him but then break down crying because I didn't know what to do about the interview that I was supposed to go on that morning, or the phone one in the afternoon. That and I had probably had about 4 hours of sleep the night before (thank you Parker).

I ended up canceling my two interviews and taking the position. I was pretty happy and excited. Guess what I don't have to waste my time doing for a few months? That's right! Looking for jobs on the computer!! Yay me!

It's getting darker.

Today, I found out that the one open position, in the area, that I know about, has been filled. I'm having a hard time processing that.

No school for you!

So, we are all sick at our house. But I didn't know this when I went to bed on Wednesday night.

Thursday morning my alarm was set for 7:00 am. I was going to get up and shower quick before Lukin had to get up to get ready for his first day of class (new building, new teacher, and now he will ride the school bus). But before my alarm even had a chance to go off, I was awoken by a faint voice and a faint sound. I opened my eyes and looked around confusedly. To my right, I saw Lukin standing at the side of the bed saying, "Mommy," before gagging and throwing up all over himself and the floor.

Long story a little shorter, he threw up a total of three times that morning. Needless to say, I had to call and let the school and the bus company know that he would not be attending. And that took me back to my first day of full day kindergarten.

I was sick and missed school that day. School lunch was chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy. I still remember that and I don't know why. And as I went through school, I always attributed my slow running and poor ability in gym to the fact that I missed the first day of full day kindergarten, not my complete lack of athletic ability. Ha!

Anyway, now all four are feeling a little sick, anything from the sniffles, to head colds, to cough to sore throat, you name it, and one of us probably has it. Lots of fun at our house.

State Fair Food

So, the best reason, in case you didn't know, to go to the "Great Minnesota Get Together" is the food. Sonny and I have kept track the last two years of all the things we have tried, so that when people ask what we had, we can tell them. Here's this year's list. And let me mention that it's a lot but it works out so much better when you share everything over the course of the day, that way it doesn't seem as overwhelming when you order something, and you get to try more things.

1. Shrimp on a stick
2a. Lefse for me
2b. Reuben on a stick for Sonny
3. Wild Rice Burger with cheese and grilled onions
4. Buffalo Chips (waffle fries flavored like buffalo wings)
5. Cinni Minis (took over half of those home)
6. Strawberry Smoothie
7. Corn on the cob (2 for one ticket...can't beat that!)
8. Crab cakes
9. Walleye cakes
10. Bottle of Water
11a. Pickle Dog for me
11b. A pretzel rod for me
11c. A beer for Sonny
12. Blackened Chicken on a stick
13. Sweet Martha's Chocolate Chip Cookies (the big pail to take most of them home)
14. Milk to go with the cookies

We also got our soda quota sharing two Cokes, two Dews, two Root Beers, and one Orange Crush. Needless to say, Sonny was feeling sick when we got home and didn't sleep well, and I had to get up and take a Tums during the night. But it was a ton of fun!

Boys

'NUGGLE!!


When getting a haircut, you should always make sure that the sucker you pick matches the hair paint they use.


The boys just hanging out one afternoon, along with Lukin's tongue.


The "Are you even kidding me, Mom?" face.

Dr. appt. the day after the baptism

So, the day after the baptism, we had to go to Parker's two month doctor appointment. The biggest thing we couldn't wait to find out was how much Parker was going to weigh. Even though my mom, my mother-in-law, and I all thought that he was going to weigh around 10 pounds or so, he came in at a whopping 13 pounds 5 oz. (For those of you without kids, a baby should double their body weight by the time they are 6 months old. Parker was 7 lbs. 3 oz. when he was born.) So yeah, he's certainly getting enough to eat!! And to think, we were worried when we first came home! Oh and he was 24 1/4 inches tall too! Big Boy!

Baptism part 2: later in the day

More baptism pix:


With the cake that Scott's uncle Chuck made. Thank you uncle Chuck!!



Parker sporting the outfit that his daddy wore for his baptism. All together now: awww!!!

Baptism

Okay, so as per usual, I am running a little behind in keeping this updated. But who can blame me with a new little one at home and the fact that every time I get on the computer, I have to search for jobs. Anyway, here's a new entry about Parker's baptism.


Here is he is ready to rock. He is probably wondering why we are up so early and why he is dressed up like that and why mommy is taking his picture.


Here's Lukin's baptism picture as a frame of reference.


With the pastor after the service.


With Mimi, Papa and Great-Grandpa after church (you can see that he is starting to get hungry and is not happy in the rest of the pix because he wants to eat NOW...(that's exactly how Lukin was after his baptism...))


See? Lukin was hungry during his baptism pix too!


Back at Parker's baptism (is anyone else getting confused here?) with Ama and Jim.


With the Godparents: Wendi and Mark



What family event would be complete with the attempted family pose? You should see some of the attempts that didn't make the blog. Having a 3 year old in pix is a ton of fun!

Just because I'm hurting doesn't mean I'm hurt

It is with a heavy heart that I login to report that school is less than two weeks away, and I do not have a job. This will be the first year, since I was four years old, that the beginning of school that won't mean anything to me.

And I have to be honest and confess that I am so, so sad. I tried really hard this summer (I mean as hard as you can try in filling out over 16 applications). And it has been hard to do just that and sit back and wait for a district to get to your application and be wowed enough to call you for an interview. I am beside myself and I don't know what to do. I can't believe that I didn't get an actual job again this school year, especially with all the openings that I saw and applied for.

But all is not totally lost yet. I know of one more application that I have floating out there that I haven't heard about yet. I pray that it will work out, but realize that there may be plenty of people still trying to get a job just like me.

And speaking of praying about getting a job, I trust that God has a plan for me. I just don't understand why it doesn't involve me having a job in my chosen profession. I hope that maybe a para position will work out so that I can still stay in the school systems, but maybe that's not part of the plan either. In which case, I have no idea what to do next.

Sonny says to stay positive but I am too sad. My friend who is a special ed coordinator said that sometimes a district can't hire who they want because of budget cuts. If that is the case, I will never get a job again because there will always be someone with less experience than me applying that would be cheaper for the district to hire. In that case, what am I supposed to do? I am at a loss right now and don't know what to do.

More new entries to come...

Alright, so I got caught up until this past weekend. I need to get those pictures on here as well, but that won't happen tonight. But hopefully, these four new entries (five if you count this one) will keep everyone entertained for a couple days until I get the new pix on the computer and find the time to create entries to go with them.

Slumber Party

Since Parker has been born, we have been really bad about having a bedtime routine for Lukin. (If you have children, you understand what I am saying.) Anyway, he kept ending up just falling asleep on the couch because he was so tired and wouldn't go to bed. So one night, I thought of the idea of having a slumber party in the living room. That way, he could fall asleep on the couch, and I could finish feeding Parker and getting him ready for bed, and pump and do whatever else I needed to do after Sonny went to bed without feeling bad that Lukin was still awake. Also, years from now, it will be a fun memory to have of when we used to have slumber parties when Parker was a baby.

Lukin waiting for the slumber party to begin


Parker asleep before it even begins


About 10 minutes after the snack part of the slumber party. This is typical. Lukin is all excited for the slumber party, but usually the slumber party involves Mommy watching the news, and so as soon as snack time is over, he falls asleep. The only time he stayed up longer was when we watched his movie choice (Stuart Little) at our slumber party. But then as soon as that was over, he fell asleep.

But like I said, good memories being made.

Family Portrait

Even though, after this was taken I found out that my mom had a couple pictures of all four of us curled up on the couch together, they don't count because we are in our jammies or something. So, for all extensive purposes, I count this as our official first family portrait...except for the two pictures taken before this one where Sonny's eyes weren't open, so they didn't count.


I like it except I wish I had chosen a more form fitting or less bulky sweater to wear for the photo...but everyone is their own worse critic.

Fun in the sun

The day after the baby shower, Lukin got a chance to use his Spongebob sprinkler, that he got for his birthday, at Ama and Jim's house.

Helping Grandpa Jim set up





Grandpa Jim said that by the end, his fingers were like ice cubes because he had been running through the water nonstop. However, he was like any typical kid and even though he was cold, he didn't want to come in. Hopefully there will be more hot days next summer when we are up there so he can use it again!

Parker's Baby Shower

It's been a while since I posted any pictures or updated what we have been up to so I thought I would do a little of that tonight. (Although I was apprehensive to put pix on here since I saw that story on CNN about the lady who saw her own son for adoption on Craigslist because the person had stolen the baby's picture from her family blog.)

We had a baby shower for Parker back in July. I kind of forgot to take a lot of pictures, or rather any til it was all but over. But I did get a couple so I will share what I have from that day.



Parker waiting for the party to begin.


Auntie Stacie and Mommy

Sophie, Brenda, Karen and Debbie

Brenda with her niece, Sophie and Grandpa Jim and Parker in the background

Auntie Wendi, Grandma (Mimi) Carin, and "Auntie" Amanda

It was a fun shower. Fun games. Glad that I didn't have to taste the baby food. I wouldn't have known it anyway because I never bought canned stuff for Lukin. I hope that all who attended had a good time too!!