Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Christmas 2008

We have a short work day today, but I wanted to get some pics up from Christmas. We had a grand time in GA for a few days and then AL for about 5 days. It was so nice to spend time with my family. I haven't seen most of my extended relatives for over a year.

Mom bought a new Canon Rebel before Thanksgiving, so we had a lot of fun with it, and I REALLY want one soon. All of these photos are from her camera.







Friday, December 19, 2008

100 Quarters - Update

So Wednesday, when I went to pick the boys up from daycare, I talked to the director, who is also my friend, and she said that she didn't give the note to the parents, but talked to B who downplayed the whole thing. He said that it was just some coins (uh, 100 of them) and that Peyton said he didn't need them anymore. Which I can totally see, because that sounds like Peyton, but STILL. Anyway, B said he would bring them back in on Thursday.

I still think his parents should have been made aware of the situation. I know I would have liked to known about it, but like I said, the director is my friend and I didn't want to push that line. Whether Peyton offered the money, or B asked for it, I would still think at 10 or maybe even 11, B should have known better. But then again, he is a kid still.

When Peyton got home last night, I checked his backpack and the money was there. I didn't give it back to Peyton thinking maybe I should go ahead and take it the bank and put it in his account.

I think I'm the only one who learned a lesson here, but that's ok. I need one of those every now and again.

We are leaving in the morning for GA and then AL and don't get back to work until the 30! Yay!

Happy Holidays everyone if I don't post before then.

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

100 Quarters

Monday night, Peyton brought home a plastic container from school that he was to fill with a number of the same items and his classmates were going to estimate how many there were. Peyton wanted to use coins, so we set out to count 100 quarters (his number of choice) to place inside the container. About 45 minutes and four metally smelling hands later, we had accomplished the goal and the container went into his backpack for school.

Last night, while I was cooking dinner, I asked him where the quarters were and Peyton casually replied, "I gave them to B." I about choked, "You what?" He had the good graces to look a little abashed even though I know he didn't understand and he said again, "I gave them to B." I stared at him hard and asked exactly what had happened.

On the van from the Elementary School to the Afterschool, he was showing the quarters to his friend, L, asking her if she needed any of the State quarters. She said no, but then B just asked for the whole bag and Peyton handed them over.

I did not get angry with Peyton. It was mostly my fault for allowing him to take all that money to school, but I really didn't think about it. I knew his teacher would keep it till the end of the day, and I didn't even consider aftercare. I forget too that while Peyton can be a turd at times, he has the most generous heart and would give anyone anything they asked, especially his friends and older kids.

B is in 5th grade. My problem was that while I know Peyton doesn't get how much money 100 quarters is, this 5th grader should have known better. He's tried to take things from Peyton before and just little things Peyton has told me does not leave me with a great impression.

You know, I don't want Peyton to be a stingy miser, but I don't want him to be walked all over either. I told him that while it is ok to give your friends money for things like ice cream and such, I really don't want him just giving bags of money away. I also wrote B's parents a letter explaining the situation and asked the director of the aftercare school to give it to them. Even if we don't get the money back, I think his parents should be aware of the situation and have a sit down with their son about taking advantage of a first grader.

And I, for one, will never let my son take that much money to school again. Lesson Learned.

Friday, December 12, 2008

Dream Man

I am an avid dreamer and while I will not regale you with the details of the visions I have pretty much continously through the night, there is the subject of a certain man that I just have to get out there. (Tamara already knows what's coming)

Lee Fletcher was a kid that I went to school with from first through ninth grade when he left our small private school for the scary halls of the monster public schools. While we spent the first nine years of our school life sharing halls, lunch rooms and classes, I wouldn't say we were friends. I probably never even had more than a handful of conversations with him through those years and don't recall anything that he may have done to work his way into my psyche and lodge himself there with such force that he's taking over my dreams.

I would say for the past, oh, year or so, Lee Fletcher has been my dream man. Not all the time, Brandon Cobia is there a lot too, but at least him, I understand due to the year of awkward carpooling in sixth grade. Craig Pugh also shows up, but we share a birthday, so I figure is it a cosmic connection. But Lee Fletcher? It's just weird.

Generally, we run around and flirt with each other, but last night it was a little different. We were talking on the phone and I was at ACA preparing for some event when I walked down the hall and there he was. I looked up and said, "Oh, your here." He looked really sick though and I told him we didn't have to run if he didn't want to. He replied with something and called me his wife. Then I woke up.

So Lee Fletcher, if you happen to google your name (and yes, that's why I've typed it so many times, maybe it will work), drop me a comment and let me know you are ok and not trying to send me a dream warning.

Tuesday, December 09, 2008

Turning Four

The week before I was due with Shey, I was so sure that he was coming that weekend that I called mom and dad and told them to pack their bags and head this way. Our baby was coming! When my doctor's appointment rolled around the following Wednesday, I was all but begging my doctor to induce me. Bless that man, he booked me the following day in not one, but two hospitals to insure I would get in somewhere.

Mom and I woke up early that December morning to head to the hospital, hoping I would be hooked up and dripping pitocin by 7 am or so. At 9, we were still in the waiting area and I had already sneaked part of a muffin to eat when my ob poked his head in and wondered what was going on. I had been forgotten! The staff was very apologetic and promised to get me in as soon as they could and by 11 or so, I was hooked up and getting the baby birthing stuff going.

Because the nurses wanted me to be able to help push when the time came, I was not completely numb from my epidural and as the contractions grew stronger, it felt like a searing hot needle was being pierced through my vah-ga-ga. The head nurse wasn't really taking me seriously until mom finally said, "look, if she's saying anything, then it is serious." Which is true, I do have a high pain tolerance and I was not tolerating this well.

My ob came in to check me, found that I wasn't past 5 or so, and he went home to light the menorah. Poor guy, no sooner had he gotten home, then Shey's heart rate started going crazy and the nurse asked me if I had the urge to push. Since I was totally numb with Peyton, I didn't know what to look for, but no sooner had that question exited her mouth did I find out. Oh, yes, I want to push and NOW! They checked me and I was fully dilated and ready to go.

Even though I felt the whole extraction process, ring of fire and all, it was so much easier pushing out Shey since I could feel that elusive pressure and with Peyton paving the way a few years earlier, Shey was out within 20 minutes.

When I had Peyton, they whisked him away right after he was born due to a myriad of things, but Shey was right there and barely left my side the whole stay in the hospital. I felt that rush of emotion and instant adoration with Shey, that I didn't get to experience with Peyton and even now he has a tender place in my heart. He's my baby boy.

Happy Birthday, Shey. I pray for you a long, healthy life filled with much happiness.

Wednesday, December 03, 2008

Why, Hello There!

It's gotten to the point that it has been so long since I have written that too much has happened to catch up on. I read all four of the Twilight series books in less than two weeks, plus saw the movie. Thanksgiving was great. We had about 20 people at our house between all the family and friends. Mom and Dad came into town for the long weekend and we had a lot of fun shopping, going to the beach and watching football. Sunday, my training buddies and I completed 10 miles. CRAZY! We've had a long bout of nice cool weather, longer than anything last year and I think already colder. Global Warming and all that. And last, but not least, Peyton started soccer practice tonight and he has his first game on Saturday. Whew.

So, I will try to stay better on top of things, but I can't promise. Work is crazy busy and we have a holiday party a weekend from here till we leave for Alabama for Christmas, plus Shey's party this Saturday afternoon that I need to order the cake for and get party favors and decorations. AHHHHHHHH!!!!!!

Just Breathe.