I love the 4th of July. I wouldn't say it's my FAVORITE holiday but I still love it. As a kid my sister and I spent every 4th of July at a place nicknamed the Muddy Pond. Some friends of my dad's bought some land out in the middle of no where KS. At first they used to take tents and camp out. Over time they had a trailer and eventually they built a cabin (I was about 5 when they did this). They used to haul water out there and finally only within the last 10 years got electricity, a phone, and running water. Doesn't sound like much fun huh?
Oh but it was. Darlene used to make the week of the 4th like a summer camp for a bunch of us kids that went out there. None of us were her kids as her own kids were all grown and gone to college. Some were close family friends others were nieces and nephews. Usually there were between 6-15 kids aging from 7-15 or so. We spent the week swimming in the pond that was the size of a small lake. It had a dock that Charlie (Darlene's husband) built anchored down to the middle of the pond. We played king of the dock and when we got older we sunbathed on it.
There were row boats and a pontoon boat that we tooled around in. We fished and set jugs with bait on them. Darlene usually had some craft projects for us to work on. We hiked off into the woods. There was a huge creek down in the middle of property that had cliffs we would jump off into the most clear deep springs I have ever witnessed. We helped with the cooking which usually included hobo breakfast over the campfire, hot dogs, a fish fry, homemade pizza, and of course smoores. Growing up I wouldn't have traded that week during the summer for anything. None of the kids ever brought friends even as we got older. A lot of times it was the only time we saw some of these kids all year so we looked forward to the week with our camp friends. There were pranks (of course it was always girls against guys) which included Crisco, toilet seats, Saran wrap, mud, frogs, fire crackers, and more.
The cabin had one large room upstairs and a single bedroom downstairs. The loft was filled with enough beds, bunk beds, and cots to sleep 20 people. We brought sleeping bags and pillows and claimed our spots on a first come first serve basis. Darlene and Charlie slept downstairs and kept us awake most of the night with his snoring. The room was open so every whisper and quiet laugh could be heard in the cabin. The only sound you would hear outside was the train that was miles away, bugs, and the frogs. It was peaceful.
Darlene and Charlie were married on the 4th of July so on the actual 4th people from all over came down to celebrate the day and sometimes stay the night. There was always a huge feast, music, laughter, and tons of fireworks. I think one of the things I loved the most was that this was our little slice of heaven. You had to drive through a huge pasture down into the valley to get to the cabin and pond. When I tell you that it was in the middle of KS I mean it was 30 miles from the nearest town and even that town didn't have a walmart or fast food restaurant. You would never find it if you didn't know where it was. I can't tell you how many new friends were spend time on their cell phone with Darlene or Charlie trying to get the directions right because they were lost. Dang city folk...lol.
I haven't been back there in years. As a kid I always thought I would bring my kids there every summer but it hasn't happened once. Time and distance are just the beginning of our excuses. The Muddy Pond taught me that it doesn't matter where you are memories and good times can be had by all. It is the people and simple joys that make life special. Swimming, fishing, food, games, and laughs can be had anywhere and it doesn't have to cost anything. Some people go to Colorado while others go to the shore. Some get to go to Disney World. For this kid it was the middle of no where KS in a pasture by a pond that filled my childhood with memories that still make me smile.
6.30.2009
6.29.2009
Back to Life, Back to Reality
Mom left yesterday. :(
We all miss her but it was in a weird way to have the place back to ourselves. An extra person in a 2 bedroom apartment doesn't leave much private space. I also had some serious catching up to do in my DVR. It's just weird watching True Blood or Weeds with my mom.
The kids went back to school today. Palmer was a little unsure about being left behind but he didn't cry. He has been doing AWESOME at potty training. I mean it is shocking how incredibly well he has done. We have only had 1 accident over the whole weekend. We have still been putting a diaper on him for naps and bed time but he has been dry and makes a bee line straight for the bathroom first thing when he wakes up too. Although we remind him constantly by asking him if he needs to go most of the time he says no and then five minutes later either tells you he has to go or runs off to go by himself.
I am nervous about the transition back to school. I hope that it continues to go well. I felt like I was moving him in with all the crap I took to school for him today on his first day back. Although I am not normally the call to check up on the kids during the day type of mom I will definately be checking in this week.
Emily was excited to head back to school and even more so when her friends came running up to her like she was a rock star. The squeals of her name and seeing her hug her little friends put my worries of her return to rest. Although everyone seems to be adjusting well to routine once again I am super excited to have a 4 day weekend coming up for the holiday.
We all miss her but it was in a weird way to have the place back to ourselves. An extra person in a 2 bedroom apartment doesn't leave much private space. I also had some serious catching up to do in my DVR. It's just weird watching True Blood or Weeds with my mom.
The kids went back to school today. Palmer was a little unsure about being left behind but he didn't cry. He has been doing AWESOME at potty training. I mean it is shocking how incredibly well he has done. We have only had 1 accident over the whole weekend. We have still been putting a diaper on him for naps and bed time but he has been dry and makes a bee line straight for the bathroom first thing when he wakes up too. Although we remind him constantly by asking him if he needs to go most of the time he says no and then five minutes later either tells you he has to go or runs off to go by himself.
I am nervous about the transition back to school. I hope that it continues to go well. I felt like I was moving him in with all the crap I took to school for him today on his first day back. Although I am not normally the call to check up on the kids during the day type of mom I will definately be checking in this week.
Emily was excited to head back to school and even more so when her friends came running up to her like she was a rock star. The squeals of her name and seeing her hug her little friends put my worries of her return to rest. Although everyone seems to be adjusting well to routine once again I am super excited to have a 4 day weekend coming up for the holiday.
6.26.2009
Pushing the Line
As a parent there is a fine line between pushing your kids to do their best and pushing them down. We walk that fine line with our own kids all the time. Bret pushes Emily. She tends to be a baby about things sometimes. Almost like she is afraid to try something new or to do something on her own. He encourages her and a lot of the time it surprises me how well she actually does. I love the look on her face when she surprises herself and builds the confidence she needs.
Bret was at gymnastics class the other day with Emily sitting in the parent waiting area and was shocked by the behavior of some of the parents. One dad actually got out of his seat and went into the practice area to scold his son for the crappy somersaults that he was doing when the father knew perfectly well he could do them just right at home because they had been practicing. Um...hello he is only four.
I was not a sports kids growing up but my friends were. I always felt awful on the ride home with some of my friends (and or siblings/in-laws) after the games having to listen to a parent lecture them on what they didn't do right. The "you should have been doing this and why didn't you do this" seemed to bother me more than the kid or least that was how they let on. Most of the time the kid just blocked them out.
I think the hardest part for me is that these expectations our parents set for us don't go away even as adults. Neither does the inner desire to make your parents proud of you. Over the course of our last 10 years together Bret and I have experienced this from various people in our lives as well. These opinions have been about getting married too young, having children early in our marriage, how many children we have or are going to have, whether we should have bought our house or not, whether I should stay home or work, and on and on. It is so frustrating and hurtful. Sometimes I want to yell back and say you know what? Bret is going to be one of the youngest OB/GYN's in the country. I have an MBA and have been successfully employed for 9 years now. We have supported ourselves and our children. We live in a crappy 2 bedroom apt because we choose to. We are paying off our debt and securing our future. Back the f*$& off. It's like there is this imaginary bar that some people (trying to give a little anonymity) have set that no matter how hard we bust our butts we may never reach.
I am off on this tangent because another member of our family has recently been struggling with the same situations. I have advised how we handle it. Get pissed off, get over it, then decide to ignore it and do things our own way anyways. If we were trying to please our families we sure as heck wouldn't be having a 3rd baby right now.
I think that behind all of this pushing and high expectations there is a lot of internal crap going on. All parents want more for their kids than they had for themselves. Maybe the thinking is that if I push them harder than I was pushed or if I help them to avoid the mistakes that I made then they will in turn be more successful than I was. Or maybe it is a pride thing. Parents want their kids to be more successful so that it reflects more positively on themselves. Maybe that theory comes from watching all of the pageant moms on TV...who knows.
I wish that if a parent has something to say about our lives or our choices they would have the balls to say it to our face. Please know that the rest of your family and friends talk. It is more hurtful to hear from them what you think than it would be to hear the "concern" from you. Maybe then we could actually talk about your worries and maybe even put some of your concerns to rest.
Instead we are left contemplating how the best way to "disappoint or piss" you off would be. Hmm...maybe instead of 4 kids we should have 6. Better yet maybe we should encourage our siblings to get pregnant right away so that you can focus the heat on someone else for awhile. Maybe instead of waiting a few years after this baby we should get pregnant right away. Maybe instead of moving home where you can keep an even closer eye on the choices we make we should try and keep the distance. Maybe we should do the one thing you hate and actually confront you on your own issues. Or maybe I will just blog about it to express how it makes me feel and move on. I choose the last one.
Bret was at gymnastics class the other day with Emily sitting in the parent waiting area and was shocked by the behavior of some of the parents. One dad actually got out of his seat and went into the practice area to scold his son for the crappy somersaults that he was doing when the father knew perfectly well he could do them just right at home because they had been practicing. Um...hello he is only four.
I was not a sports kids growing up but my friends were. I always felt awful on the ride home with some of my friends (and or siblings/in-laws) after the games having to listen to a parent lecture them on what they didn't do right. The "you should have been doing this and why didn't you do this" seemed to bother me more than the kid or least that was how they let on. Most of the time the kid just blocked them out.
I think the hardest part for me is that these expectations our parents set for us don't go away even as adults. Neither does the inner desire to make your parents proud of you. Over the course of our last 10 years together Bret and I have experienced this from various people in our lives as well. These opinions have been about getting married too young, having children early in our marriage, how many children we have or are going to have, whether we should have bought our house or not, whether I should stay home or work, and on and on. It is so frustrating and hurtful. Sometimes I want to yell back and say you know what? Bret is going to be one of the youngest OB/GYN's in the country. I have an MBA and have been successfully employed for 9 years now. We have supported ourselves and our children. We live in a crappy 2 bedroom apt because we choose to. We are paying off our debt and securing our future. Back the f*$& off. It's like there is this imaginary bar that some people (trying to give a little anonymity) have set that no matter how hard we bust our butts we may never reach.
I am off on this tangent because another member of our family has recently been struggling with the same situations. I have advised how we handle it. Get pissed off, get over it, then decide to ignore it and do things our own way anyways. If we were trying to please our families we sure as heck wouldn't be having a 3rd baby right now.
I think that behind all of this pushing and high expectations there is a lot of internal crap going on. All parents want more for their kids than they had for themselves. Maybe the thinking is that if I push them harder than I was pushed or if I help them to avoid the mistakes that I made then they will in turn be more successful than I was. Or maybe it is a pride thing. Parents want their kids to be more successful so that it reflects more positively on themselves. Maybe that theory comes from watching all of the pageant moms on TV...who knows.
I wish that if a parent has something to say about our lives or our choices they would have the balls to say it to our face. Please know that the rest of your family and friends talk. It is more hurtful to hear from them what you think than it would be to hear the "concern" from you. Maybe then we could actually talk about your worries and maybe even put some of your concerns to rest.
Instead we are left contemplating how the best way to "disappoint or piss" you off would be. Hmm...maybe instead of 4 kids we should have 6. Better yet maybe we should encourage our siblings to get pregnant right away so that you can focus the heat on someone else for awhile. Maybe instead of waiting a few years after this baby we should get pregnant right away. Maybe instead of moving home where you can keep an even closer eye on the choices we make we should try and keep the distance. Maybe we should do the one thing you hate and actually confront you on your own issues. Or maybe I will just blog about it to express how it makes me feel and move on. I choose the last one.
Busy hands keeps the mind busy
With my mom leaving this weekend and Bret being on nights I have started planning a few projects to keep me busy in the evenings. For my birthday this last year I got a new sewing machine...which I LOVE.
I haven't really put it to much use yet though. I have made some baby blankets and burp clothes and hemmed some pants (cause I'm short) but that is about it. For the longest time I was kind of stuck on what else I could make. See I'm an in between skill leveled crafter. Meaning I like new projects but it has to be something I think I can manage. I have learned (from Halloween costume sewing projects) that I don't enjoy projects that are way over my head skill wise and that don't turn out just right (or least somewhat cute).
So I was browsing through the different etsy shops the other day and I had a light bulb moment. There were tons of projects on there that I felt like I could totally do. Hours searching on the internet and a couple of trips to my favorite craft supply stores and I am set with some fun easy to make projects for the summer.
Project #1: Emily stuff. Her cupcake birthday is coming up and I have been looking around for a cute cupcake outfit for her to wear that day. While looking around online the cutest outfits were simple shirts/tank tops that had an appliqued cupcake on it with the number they are turning. Hello? I didn't get this new machine for something. So I went to a couple different tutorials and I totally think I can manage this. If so the possibilities for other projects are just around the corner. (such as matching onesies/bibs/blankets/burp clothes/etc). To go with this Emily has also been begging for a tutu. This is super simple and cheap so I may just start with this project to get the ball rolling.
My kid is also one of those kids that insists on wearing a dress everyday. So I have found these bolts of fabric that have the stretch tops. I got one of those free fliers from the store on how to sew a simple dress with ribbon straps. I also got instructions on how to make some pillow case dresses as well. If by some miracle I manage to get both of these projects done I saw some super cute cupcake purses that are crocheted using a very simple stitch. I haven't crocheted anything but baby blankets, pot holders, and a pin cushion so I am a little nervous about this project. But hey yarn is cheap and I already had a ton of it to begin with so we shall see.
Project #2 Of course I have to make something for Palmer too. At daycare Palmer takes a nap everyday (Emily used to too but will not have to starting this upcoming year). I hate having to haul both a blanket, sheet, and pillow to daycare every week. So again after browsing online I found the most awesome idea for a nap mat. I has foam for the bedding part, an attached blanket, and built in pillow. Not only that but it rolls up neatly and has a carrying strap. This is a bit more challenging of a project but will totally pay off for years.
If I survive (and finish) these projects there are a million other things I would like to make. What new things are you working on or would like to try to make?
I haven't really put it to much use yet though. I have made some baby blankets and burp clothes and hemmed some pants (cause I'm short) but that is about it. For the longest time I was kind of stuck on what else I could make. See I'm an in between skill leveled crafter. Meaning I like new projects but it has to be something I think I can manage. I have learned (from Halloween costume sewing projects) that I don't enjoy projects that are way over my head skill wise and that don't turn out just right (or least somewhat cute).
So I was browsing through the different etsy shops the other day and I had a light bulb moment. There were tons of projects on there that I felt like I could totally do. Hours searching on the internet and a couple of trips to my favorite craft supply stores and I am set with some fun easy to make projects for the summer.
Project #1: Emily stuff. Her cupcake birthday is coming up and I have been looking around for a cute cupcake outfit for her to wear that day. While looking around online the cutest outfits were simple shirts/tank tops that had an appliqued cupcake on it with the number they are turning. Hello? I didn't get this new machine for something. So I went to a couple different tutorials and I totally think I can manage this. If so the possibilities for other projects are just around the corner. (such as matching onesies/bibs/blankets/burp clothes/etc). To go with this Emily has also been begging for a tutu. This is super simple and cheap so I may just start with this project to get the ball rolling.
My kid is also one of those kids that insists on wearing a dress everyday. So I have found these bolts of fabric that have the stretch tops. I got one of those free fliers from the store on how to sew a simple dress with ribbon straps. I also got instructions on how to make some pillow case dresses as well. If by some miracle I manage to get both of these projects done I saw some super cute cupcake purses that are crocheted using a very simple stitch. I haven't crocheted anything but baby blankets, pot holders, and a pin cushion so I am a little nervous about this project. But hey yarn is cheap and I already had a ton of it to begin with so we shall see.
Project #2 Of course I have to make something for Palmer too. At daycare Palmer takes a nap everyday (Emily used to too but will not have to starting this upcoming year). I hate having to haul both a blanket, sheet, and pillow to daycare every week. So again after browsing online I found the most awesome idea for a nap mat. I has foam for the bedding part, an attached blanket, and built in pillow. Not only that but it rolls up neatly and has a carrying strap. This is a bit more challenging of a project but will totally pay off for years.
If I survive (and finish) these projects there are a million other things I would like to make. What new things are you working on or would like to try to make?
6.25.2009
All Too Quickly
My mom leaves on Sunday. Early Sunday morning. You know how you go on a great vacation and on the last couple of days you realize it is the last couple of days. You don't want to dwell in that because you don't want to waste the time you have left or take away from how awesome it was...but still.
My mom has been amazing and has made my first trimester a breeze. In three weeks she has managed to keep my house spotless, cook, and watch the kids. Palmer is pretty much potty trained and Emily has been in complete bliss with the attention she has received. Bret and I have spent precious time alone together. We have enjoyed having her along with us on our various expeditions in and around town.
Bret, the kids, and I have all tried to convince her to stay longer. I think she has wavered a little but none the less she is still leaving on Sunday. We will all miss her dearly. I don't know when we will be back to KS and I don't know when she will be back here in PA. Not having her be close by has been one of the hardest parts of being so far from home. I worry that I won't see her again before this baby is born and I already feel how long that is going to be for us all.
Sunday night is going to be hard. Mom is going to be gone and Bret is on nights. The kids will be in bed and I will be alone. I have a couple of projects to get started to keep me busy in the upcoming month while Bret is working nights. It will still be hard. The good news is that this is his last rotation of nights EVER. I keep that in my pocket when I start to feel bad. I miss her already.
My mom has been amazing and has made my first trimester a breeze. In three weeks she has managed to keep my house spotless, cook, and watch the kids. Palmer is pretty much potty trained and Emily has been in complete bliss with the attention she has received. Bret and I have spent precious time alone together. We have enjoyed having her along with us on our various expeditions in and around town.
Bret, the kids, and I have all tried to convince her to stay longer. I think she has wavered a little but none the less she is still leaving on Sunday. We will all miss her dearly. I don't know when we will be back to KS and I don't know when she will be back here in PA. Not having her be close by has been one of the hardest parts of being so far from home. I worry that I won't see her again before this baby is born and I already feel how long that is going to be for us all.
Sunday night is going to be hard. Mom is going to be gone and Bret is on nights. The kids will be in bed and I will be alone. I have a couple of projects to get started to keep me busy in the upcoming month while Bret is working nights. It will still be hard. The good news is that this is his last rotation of nights EVER. I keep that in my pocket when I start to feel bad. I miss her already.
6.24.2009
Back on the Soap Box
This is a long post so if you are bored you won't hurt my feelings if you skip today and tune in tomorrow.
I have worked in financial aid at a college or university for over 6 years. Before that I was a workstudy student while I was going to school in the office of financial aid. Between working in financial aid and my own experience with aid (aka my own bachelor's degree, MBA, and getting Bret through medical school) I know a little bit about the topic.
There is a new law going into affect July 1. It's called the College Cost Reduction and Access Act. Since this act has more to do with repayment than the awarding/processing/types of programs it doesn't really affect me in the job area just in the personal area (aka it affects our repaying of our loans).
I feel pretty torn about my opinions on this legislation. One hand I appreciate what they are trying to do and although it will hurt Bret it may pay off big for me. See I work in what is considered "public service". I work in higher education and have put some time in working for the state at state schools. Under the new legislation my monthly payments could be capped at 15% of my gross income and after 10 years service and on time payments the remaining balance can be forgiven.
On the other hand for Bret it is a different story. The Income Sensitive Repayment solution dissolves the economic hardship deferment. Because most programs don't have a residency deferment for loans they use this economic hardship category. This means that our loans go back into deferment because his income is not yet enough to start making payments. Instead we now can either see if we qualify for a forbearance or we have to start making the minimum 15% of our income level payments. Can I just say that sucks? We don't have 15% of our income to devote to making the payment yet. They will get their money eventually so why not give us a break? The only good news is that after making payments for 25 years if we have not paid off our loans the balance could be forgiven. (Assuming a new legislation doesn't veto this effort)
I think my biggest concern about this act is the message it is sending our students. I will be the first to tell you that students are dumb when it comes to taking out student loans. I have seen student use their refunds to buy a car, jet skis, pay for vacations, and support their families completely. There is this part of aid that is designated to "help" with the cost of living while you are going to school. Students take no regard to how much they are borrowing and are so engrossed in the buy now pay later attitude that it tends to bite them in the butt. I can't count how many times students look at me with an expression like I just told them they have cancer or burst into tears when we go through their exit interview and I explain how much they have borrowed and how much their monthly payment is going to be. It doesn't matter how many presentations I give on money management, making the interest payments in school, or the fact that the total amount is listed on EVERY award letter we send them, etc, etc, etc. Reality is no where to be found in most of these students. I know because I was that student.
This legislation continues to feed into this attitude. There is nothing that helps make students more accountable for their borrowing actions. Instead we reduce their payments and offer more forgiveness. Now students feel even more confident that they will never have to actually pay back their loans so why not. I get that loans are a necessary evil. I have student loans and will be making my checks out to the government and Sallie Mae for the next 15 years (25 if you include Bret's).
The idea of getting a job and working your way through college for so many is such an insult when I even suggest it. Half of our students don't even take advantage of the workstudy they are awarded. The worst part is that parents encourage this. the excuse that I hear is that they want their children to FOCUS on their studies. Even though workstudy usually allows you study while working. This is why our country is facing the credit crisis that it is. We are not teaching our children how to live in the real world. We are not giving them the tools to be financially successful. We are setting them up to fail.
We are encouraging them to take out tens of thousands of dollars sometimes over a hundred thousand for a simple bachelors degree IF they finish. Then when they go to find a job they have no way of making the payments and that's IF they find a job.
I don't have all of the solutions but I do have some suggestions. We need to work at cutting the cost of education. We need to work on making "pay as you go" a requirement. We need to close the gap that faces the middle class (aka everything goes to the highest level of need students and NOTHING goes to students stuck right in the middle). We need to look to the professions working in financial aid with the students who has the experience to understand what will and will not work instead of legislators trying to get re-elected or campaign funding from lenders.
I have worked in financial aid at a college or university for over 6 years. Before that I was a workstudy student while I was going to school in the office of financial aid. Between working in financial aid and my own experience with aid (aka my own bachelor's degree, MBA, and getting Bret through medical school) I know a little bit about the topic.
There is a new law going into affect July 1. It's called the College Cost Reduction and Access Act. Since this act has more to do with repayment than the awarding/processing/types of programs it doesn't really affect me in the job area just in the personal area (aka it affects our repaying of our loans).
I feel pretty torn about my opinions on this legislation. One hand I appreciate what they are trying to do and although it will hurt Bret it may pay off big for me. See I work in what is considered "public service". I work in higher education and have put some time in working for the state at state schools. Under the new legislation my monthly payments could be capped at 15% of my gross income and after 10 years service and on time payments the remaining balance can be forgiven.
On the other hand for Bret it is a different story. The Income Sensitive Repayment solution dissolves the economic hardship deferment. Because most programs don't have a residency deferment for loans they use this economic hardship category. This means that our loans go back into deferment because his income is not yet enough to start making payments. Instead we now can either see if we qualify for a forbearance or we have to start making the minimum 15% of our income level payments. Can I just say that sucks? We don't have 15% of our income to devote to making the payment yet. They will get their money eventually so why not give us a break? The only good news is that after making payments for 25 years if we have not paid off our loans the balance could be forgiven. (Assuming a new legislation doesn't veto this effort)
I think my biggest concern about this act is the message it is sending our students. I will be the first to tell you that students are dumb when it comes to taking out student loans. I have seen student use their refunds to buy a car, jet skis, pay for vacations, and support their families completely. There is this part of aid that is designated to "help" with the cost of living while you are going to school. Students take no regard to how much they are borrowing and are so engrossed in the buy now pay later attitude that it tends to bite them in the butt. I can't count how many times students look at me with an expression like I just told them they have cancer or burst into tears when we go through their exit interview and I explain how much they have borrowed and how much their monthly payment is going to be. It doesn't matter how many presentations I give on money management, making the interest payments in school, or the fact that the total amount is listed on EVERY award letter we send them, etc, etc, etc. Reality is no where to be found in most of these students. I know because I was that student.
This legislation continues to feed into this attitude. There is nothing that helps make students more accountable for their borrowing actions. Instead we reduce their payments and offer more forgiveness. Now students feel even more confident that they will never have to actually pay back their loans so why not. I get that loans are a necessary evil. I have student loans and will be making my checks out to the government and Sallie Mae for the next 15 years (25 if you include Bret's).
The idea of getting a job and working your way through college for so many is such an insult when I even suggest it. Half of our students don't even take advantage of the workstudy they are awarded. The worst part is that parents encourage this. the excuse that I hear is that they want their children to FOCUS on their studies. Even though workstudy usually allows you study while working. This is why our country is facing the credit crisis that it is. We are not teaching our children how to live in the real world. We are not giving them the tools to be financially successful. We are setting them up to fail.
We are encouraging them to take out tens of thousands of dollars sometimes over a hundred thousand for a simple bachelors degree IF they finish. Then when they go to find a job they have no way of making the payments and that's IF they find a job.
I don't have all of the solutions but I do have some suggestions. We need to work at cutting the cost of education. We need to work on making "pay as you go" a requirement. We need to close the gap that faces the middle class (aka everything goes to the highest level of need students and NOTHING goes to students stuck right in the middle). We need to look to the professions working in financial aid with the students who has the experience to understand what will and will not work instead of legislators trying to get re-elected or campaign funding from lenders.
6.23.2009
My last 2 cents (on this topic)
I have never been a big fan of the J&K + 8 show. It was cute and I liked the kids but it wasn't my cup of tea when it comes to watching TV. I was, however, rooting for them. I agreed with the popular opinion that they were greedy, she treated him terribly, and the show had ran it's course.
You also know that I am a big supporter of marriage and was hoping that they could work through everything and show America that divorce doesn't have to be the answer.
Yesterday kind of dashed those hopes. Although I was not surprised I was disappointed. Something that I noticed in watching the show is the humbleness of Kate and arrogance of Jon.
Don't get me wrong I am not a big Kate fan but all the attention trying to go against her has made me want to support her even more. I saw the shots of her spanking her child. We spank and although this could be an entire post in and of itself last time I checked it is NOT illegal to spank in PA.
Kate not treating Jon the way he wanted to be treated does not give him the liberty to just throw in the towel, to have an alleged affair, and I'm sorry but it doesn't matter how old you are you have a responsibility. The "I'm only 32" comment made me gag. Jon said on TV that he needs to do what is best for him and his kids. He reversed the order later but I think he was being most truthful the first time. He is being selfish. He needs to figure out what makes him happy and stop trying to blame his unhappiness on everyone else..most specifically Kate.
I was saddened to see that they didn't seem to attempt reconciliation or counseling. I am saddened to see that proceedings have already been filed for divorce. I am saddened to see that the show will continue with what will most definitely be the most difficult and dark times for this family. The parents that continue to state that the do it for the kids need to take inventory of why the really are doing it.
You also know that I am a big supporter of marriage and was hoping that they could work through everything and show America that divorce doesn't have to be the answer.
Yesterday kind of dashed those hopes. Although I was not surprised I was disappointed. Something that I noticed in watching the show is the humbleness of Kate and arrogance of Jon.
Don't get me wrong I am not a big Kate fan but all the attention trying to go against her has made me want to support her even more. I saw the shots of her spanking her child. We spank and although this could be an entire post in and of itself last time I checked it is NOT illegal to spank in PA.
Kate not treating Jon the way he wanted to be treated does not give him the liberty to just throw in the towel, to have an alleged affair, and I'm sorry but it doesn't matter how old you are you have a responsibility. The "I'm only 32" comment made me gag. Jon said on TV that he needs to do what is best for him and his kids. He reversed the order later but I think he was being most truthful the first time. He is being selfish. He needs to figure out what makes him happy and stop trying to blame his unhappiness on everyone else..most specifically Kate.
I was saddened to see that they didn't seem to attempt reconciliation or counseling. I am saddened to see that proceedings have already been filed for divorce. I am saddened to see that the show will continue with what will most definitely be the most difficult and dark times for this family. The parents that continue to state that the do it for the kids need to take inventory of why the really are doing it.
6.22.2009
She Knows
It was really early in the morning on Saturday. Bret and I were not sure why we were both awake but we were. It was nice to lay in bed with everyone else in the tiny apartment still sleeping (or so we believed).
Suddenly Bret rolled over to his backpack and withdrew a mysterious device I hadn't seen in years. His Doppler. Within a few moments I was listening to the best sound ever. The tiny heart beat of the new wee one.
What happened next was completely unavoidable. Before we knew what was happening the door to our bedroom flung open and even though we are still not sure how she figured out what we were doing she squealed with delight and ran to wake my mom up. We could hear her in the next room explaining that her mom had a baby sister in her tummy.
We had no intentions of telling Emily until it was absolutely unavoidable (read: when my stomach was a dead giveaway even to an almost five year old). However, the best laid plans...
So Emily now knows and has inundated me and Bret with questions only a 5 year old can come up with. The one we were trying to avoid the most was WHEN will the new baby be here. Luckily with a January 4th due date we are able to put into a perspective she totally gets...after Christmas.
Some of the other questions Emily has bombarded us with:
Will you let me hold her (of course with supervision and only when sitting)
What are we going to name her (we have no idea)
Can I pick out her name (we will see)
Where is she going to sleep (good question)
Can she sleep with me (no)
When are we having your baby shower (had to explain the etiquette rules of only having a shower for the first baby)
And on and on
We knew (since she has been telling us repeatedly for a year now) that Emily was going to be excited. We also knew that she is desperate for a baby sister and NOT another brother. Bret and I sat her down and explained that we don't get to choose if it is a boy or girl and that God chose a baby just for us. Her response was "You get what you get and you don't get upset" which is a common saying at her school. It was hard not to laugh.
So now everyone who didn't know before KNOWS FOR SURE now that Emily is in the know. This morning she told me that she had a dream that I gave birth to a beautiful princess baby. Between this and her upcoming cupcake birthday party I am not sure when Emily will surface back to the planet earth from cloud nine. Although it was much earlier and not in the way we intended it is fun to see her excitement. If we weren't excited enough before her pure glee has reinfected us all.
Suddenly Bret rolled over to his backpack and withdrew a mysterious device I hadn't seen in years. His Doppler. Within a few moments I was listening to the best sound ever. The tiny heart beat of the new wee one.
What happened next was completely unavoidable. Before we knew what was happening the door to our bedroom flung open and even though we are still not sure how she figured out what we were doing she squealed with delight and ran to wake my mom up. We could hear her in the next room explaining that her mom had a baby sister in her tummy.
We had no intentions of telling Emily until it was absolutely unavoidable (read: when my stomach was a dead giveaway even to an almost five year old). However, the best laid plans...
So Emily now knows and has inundated me and Bret with questions only a 5 year old can come up with. The one we were trying to avoid the most was WHEN will the new baby be here. Luckily with a January 4th due date we are able to put into a perspective she totally gets...after Christmas.
Some of the other questions Emily has bombarded us with:
Will you let me hold her (of course with supervision and only when sitting)
What are we going to name her (we have no idea)
Can I pick out her name (we will see)
Where is she going to sleep (good question)
Can she sleep with me (no)
When are we having your baby shower (had to explain the etiquette rules of only having a shower for the first baby)
And on and on
We knew (since she has been telling us repeatedly for a year now) that Emily was going to be excited. We also knew that she is desperate for a baby sister and NOT another brother. Bret and I sat her down and explained that we don't get to choose if it is a boy or girl and that God chose a baby just for us. Her response was "You get what you get and you don't get upset" which is a common saying at her school. It was hard not to laugh.
So now everyone who didn't know before KNOWS FOR SURE now that Emily is in the know. This morning she told me that she had a dream that I gave birth to a beautiful princess baby. Between this and her upcoming cupcake birthday party I am not sure when Emily will surface back to the planet earth from cloud nine. Although it was much earlier and not in the way we intended it is fun to see her excitement. If we weren't excited enough before her pure glee has reinfected us all.
6.21.2009
Happy Father's Day Dr. Dad
Dear Dr. Dad,
I remember when Emily was born and how surprised I was to see tears of complete bliss streaming down your cheeks. You were so proud and excited and exhausted. The years ahead of you and Emily will probably be a little rough but she is proud to have you as her dad. You are the mile stone that every guy will have to reach to match her level of expectation and for that I am grateful. She is confident, outgoing, loving, and adventurous because of your guidance and encouragement. I know that making her get back up on her bike after her first wreck even though she was crying in front of everyone was hard for you. I also know that you would do it again because it was the right thing to do. Emily is learning how to pick herself back up, to overcome her fears of disappointment and she will be a strong and confident woman because of that.
The day we found out that Palmer was going to be a boy you couldn't slap the goofy grin off your face for weeks. Your pride in being the last generation of Heskett and carrying that on is contagious. When Palmer was born the first words out of your mouth was "He's huge!". He is your shadow and will be for many years to come. I see so many of your quirky characteristics shining through Palmer. He is his own man at the mere age of two. LOL I love seeing the pride in your face as he delights us everyday with something new that he has learned.
Watching you watch your newest baby while doing the sonogram yourself brings me such peace and joy. The smile that spreads across your face when you find the tiny one and laugh as we watch it jump with the hiccups. I love that you are already convinced that it is a boy and have a name waiting just in case. I also love that you will worship another daughter just as much.
I also love that you want more children just as much as I do even though you convince everyone else that you are just letting me have my way. Our shared goals and priorities in life have gotten us through even the most difficult times.
This post is not to try and convince you that you are the perfect dad. You work too much and sometimes the kids have to shout to get your attention (that might be because you are going partially deaf in your old age). You do your best in parenting and you love with everything you have. You are an incredible dad.
I remember when Emily was born and how surprised I was to see tears of complete bliss streaming down your cheeks. You were so proud and excited and exhausted. The years ahead of you and Emily will probably be a little rough but she is proud to have you as her dad. You are the mile stone that every guy will have to reach to match her level of expectation and for that I am grateful. She is confident, outgoing, loving, and adventurous because of your guidance and encouragement. I know that making her get back up on her bike after her first wreck even though she was crying in front of everyone was hard for you. I also know that you would do it again because it was the right thing to do. Emily is learning how to pick herself back up, to overcome her fears of disappointment and she will be a strong and confident woman because of that.
The day we found out that Palmer was going to be a boy you couldn't slap the goofy grin off your face for weeks. Your pride in being the last generation of Heskett and carrying that on is contagious. When Palmer was born the first words out of your mouth was "He's huge!". He is your shadow and will be for many years to come. I see so many of your quirky characteristics shining through Palmer. He is his own man at the mere age of two. LOL I love seeing the pride in your face as he delights us everyday with something new that he has learned.
Watching you watch your newest baby while doing the sonogram yourself brings me such peace and joy. The smile that spreads across your face when you find the tiny one and laugh as we watch it jump with the hiccups. I love that you are already convinced that it is a boy and have a name waiting just in case. I also love that you will worship another daughter just as much.
I also love that you want more children just as much as I do even though you convince everyone else that you are just letting me have my way. Our shared goals and priorities in life have gotten us through even the most difficult times.
This post is not to try and convince you that you are the perfect dad. You work too much and sometimes the kids have to shout to get your attention (that might be because you are going partially deaf in your old age). You do your best in parenting and you love with everything you have. You are an incredible dad.
6.19.2009
Father's Day
Things have not been very good between my dad and I lately. Actually for a few years now. Maybe because we are both a little stubborn and both a little sensitive we have grown further and further apart over the years rather than closer together.
Regardless of the past few years my dad was a great dad when I was growing up. He was fun, loving, and super supportive. He believed I could do anything and helped me see that too.
My dad was born disabled. Like completely unable to use his legs since birth. They believe that at some point in utero he got wrapped into a ball and his legs never fully developed. He lived most of the first 5 years of his life in and out of the hospitals and had numerous surgeries. He was born in the early 1950's and at the time disabilities were looked down upon especially in the small town in KS that he lived in.
His parents never made excuses for him and never let him make them either. My grandfather build a ramp and special desk for him so that he could attend the public school in their town after the school denied his admittance because they could not accommodate him. My grandfather took him hunting, fishing, taught him to ride horses, and how to drive. He raised him like he was any other child and my father never believed he was any different either. My grandfather had taught my father to find something that you were good at and to work hard to be the best.
Not one for college my dad had a special talent for typing. He was the fastest typer in the state at one time (or so he told us). He got a job as the only male typer working for Southwester Bell, the phone company. He worked his way up threw the corporate ladder for 30 years before he finally retired. He collected his first disability check at the age of 55.
When we were kids my dad had a special day that we would spend together called "KID'S DAY". This usually came after a great report card or special award. We spent the whole day together just us and him. We would eat wherever we wanted, went to the movies, or the mall. Sometimes we could take a friend. He would take us fishing or swimming. It was our day and it was awesome.
Health, retirement, depression, divorce, and many other things have not been good to my dad. He has become a person I hardly recognize and I am so disappointed and frustrated. Sometimes I hardly recognize him anymore. Have you ever seen the move Big Fish. I feel that if ever there was a movie that told a lot about my dad it was that movie. I still love him and I will never forget the things in his life that at one time made him my hero.
Regardless of the past few years my dad was a great dad when I was growing up. He was fun, loving, and super supportive. He believed I could do anything and helped me see that too.
My dad was born disabled. Like completely unable to use his legs since birth. They believe that at some point in utero he got wrapped into a ball and his legs never fully developed. He lived most of the first 5 years of his life in and out of the hospitals and had numerous surgeries. He was born in the early 1950's and at the time disabilities were looked down upon especially in the small town in KS that he lived in.
His parents never made excuses for him and never let him make them either. My grandfather build a ramp and special desk for him so that he could attend the public school in their town after the school denied his admittance because they could not accommodate him. My grandfather took him hunting, fishing, taught him to ride horses, and how to drive. He raised him like he was any other child and my father never believed he was any different either. My grandfather had taught my father to find something that you were good at and to work hard to be the best.
Not one for college my dad had a special talent for typing. He was the fastest typer in the state at one time (or so he told us). He got a job as the only male typer working for Southwester Bell, the phone company. He worked his way up threw the corporate ladder for 30 years before he finally retired. He collected his first disability check at the age of 55.
When we were kids my dad had a special day that we would spend together called "KID'S DAY". This usually came after a great report card or special award. We spent the whole day together just us and him. We would eat wherever we wanted, went to the movies, or the mall. Sometimes we could take a friend. He would take us fishing or swimming. It was our day and it was awesome.
Health, retirement, depression, divorce, and many other things have not been good to my dad. He has become a person I hardly recognize and I am so disappointed and frustrated. Sometimes I hardly recognize him anymore. Have you ever seen the move Big Fish. I feel that if ever there was a movie that told a lot about my dad it was that movie. I still love him and I will never forget the things in his life that at one time made him my hero.
6.18.2009
Emily has spoken
A very important day in a little girl's life is getting close and thus begins the planning. We gone back and for 10934806745082 times between candy, princess, fairies, butterflies, back to princess, to finally decide on her 5th birthday party theme. Drum rolls please.....Emily has chosen cupcakes as her theme (without a ton of persuasion from mom but I will admit that I did have some say).
I am thrilled with the theme and have begun my planning and preparing for this unforgettable party. Bret has set the budget and so I have begun my shopping. Yesterday I bought this
to make for the adults who will be at the party. I also got a really good coupon from Oriental Trading company that gave me 15% off my order and free shipping so I made some purchases there as well. Just in case you are curious here is the outline for the party:
Girls decorate aprons
Eat snacks
Decorate cupcakes
Make sprinkle people
Pinata
The aprons are from Oriental Trading and I was little disappointed that they were not white/canvas colored. They were sold out of those and only had colored ones to choose from. I looked a couple of other places but couldn't really find anything in our price ranges. So colored aprons to decorate it is. I also got some fun self adhesive jewels, puffy paint, etc to decorate them with.
For snacks we usually have Emily's favorite finger foods (fruit tray, vegetable tray, meat/cheese/crackers, etc, etc).
Emily and I will make the cupcakes in advance and have the frosting and toppings ready to go. I saw a really cute idea of using small muffin tins with liners for the different toppings. There is also a lady at the farmer's market that sells the most amazing variety of sprinkles. I have been promising Emily that we would go and pick a bunch of different ones out (they are pretty cheap too). I also got little cupcake boxes so that the girls can take home one of their creations as well.
The sprinkle people is the one craft that I have to work with a little before the actual party. I saw the most adorable idea in one of my magazines to make sand people using colored sand, empty plastic bottles, and things like funny hair/eyes/pom poms/etc. They were super cute. I like this idea because we have pretty much everything we need for this activity. The only hang up is that our sand it not colored...yet. I have been reading online about how to color your own sand (cause we have lots of sand) so I will let you know as I experiment on how it goes.
I really wasn't going to do a pinata this year but Emily INSISTED. To her that is the epitome of a birthday party. I am not having much luck finding a cupcake pinata (that doesn't have a 1 or 2 on it) for a reasonable price. I have, however, found a couple of tutorials on how to make your own. We will see. Speaking of not finding anything I am also not finding any tableware that doesn't have a 1 or 2 on it. So I am probably just going to go with solid colors or maybe just a generic Happy Birthday.
For invitations I found a really cute (and cheap) photo card at Walmart to use and have already ordered them. We are well on our way to getting this party ready.
On other party news I am helping throw a baby shower for one of the residents. The mom to be really likes monkeys so they are having a jungle type theme....but it is a girl. I am responsible for decorations and favors among other things. I am still trying to come up with a cute favor idea that is super affordable (cause there are going to be like 50 guests and it adds up pretty quick). I did find some super cute jungle stuffed animals at OTC for a good price that will look awesome placed around the area and I know that my diaper cake will be lots of fun too. It is slowly coming together but I am always open for cute ideas.
I am thrilled with the theme and have begun my planning and preparing for this unforgettable party. Bret has set the budget and so I have begun my shopping. Yesterday I bought this
to make for the adults who will be at the party. I also got a really good coupon from Oriental Trading company that gave me 15% off my order and free shipping so I made some purchases there as well. Just in case you are curious here is the outline for the party:
Girls decorate aprons
Eat snacks
Decorate cupcakes
Make sprinkle people
Pinata
The aprons are from Oriental Trading and I was little disappointed that they were not white/canvas colored. They were sold out of those and only had colored ones to choose from. I looked a couple of other places but couldn't really find anything in our price ranges. So colored aprons to decorate it is. I also got some fun self adhesive jewels, puffy paint, etc to decorate them with.
For snacks we usually have Emily's favorite finger foods (fruit tray, vegetable tray, meat/cheese/crackers, etc, etc).
Emily and I will make the cupcakes in advance and have the frosting and toppings ready to go. I saw a really cute idea of using small muffin tins with liners for the different toppings. There is also a lady at the farmer's market that sells the most amazing variety of sprinkles. I have been promising Emily that we would go and pick a bunch of different ones out (they are pretty cheap too). I also got little cupcake boxes so that the girls can take home one of their creations as well.
The sprinkle people is the one craft that I have to work with a little before the actual party. I saw the most adorable idea in one of my magazines to make sand people using colored sand, empty plastic bottles, and things like funny hair/eyes/pom poms/etc. They were super cute. I like this idea because we have pretty much everything we need for this activity. The only hang up is that our sand it not colored...yet. I have been reading online about how to color your own sand (cause we have lots of sand) so I will let you know as I experiment on how it goes.
I really wasn't going to do a pinata this year but Emily INSISTED. To her that is the epitome of a birthday party. I am not having much luck finding a cupcake pinata (that doesn't have a 1 or 2 on it) for a reasonable price. I have, however, found a couple of tutorials on how to make your own. We will see. Speaking of not finding anything I am also not finding any tableware that doesn't have a 1 or 2 on it. So I am probably just going to go with solid colors or maybe just a generic Happy Birthday.
For invitations I found a really cute (and cheap) photo card at Walmart to use and have already ordered them. We are well on our way to getting this party ready.
On other party news I am helping throw a baby shower for one of the residents. The mom to be really likes monkeys so they are having a jungle type theme....but it is a girl. I am responsible for decorations and favors among other things. I am still trying to come up with a cute favor idea that is super affordable (cause there are going to be like 50 guests and it adds up pretty quick). I did find some super cute jungle stuffed animals at OTC for a good price that will look awesome placed around the area and I know that my diaper cake will be lots of fun too. It is slowly coming together but I am always open for cute ideas.
6.17.2009
In Between
You know how you sometimes look into your closet full of clothes and fell like you have nothing to wear? Me too only it's not because I am bored with the clothes that I have. It's more because nothing fits quite right anymore. I know I know...I am just barely 12 weeks pregnant and already you ask? It's not like I have gained a ton of weight (maybe 2lbs so far). It's more that everything seems to be gravitating towards my midsection AND that midsection doesn't liked to be touched..at all. So even though I can get into most of my dress slacks by mid afternoon they are driving me nuts (since I sit all day) and I start thinking to myself if anyone would notice if I unbuttoned them behind my desk. NO I don't actually do that (cause you never know when a student might walk in or I might forget).
My maternity clothes just look silly cause I'm not that BIG yet. So I am in between and it sucks. I hate going out and spending money on clothes that really will only last a few more weeks maybe a month or two at best. In my own defense I think that when you are pregnant for the second or third time your body goes "hmm...I remember this process oh well might as well let it all go" and boom you are huge immediately. Several people I know swore they were pregnant with twins the second time around cause there was no other explanation for the major expansion of their mid section in just a few short weeks. When in fact the nice little tight muscles (that event the softest of us had) are forever changed and no matter how hard you work will never go back that tight again.
My only salvation so far this summer is some cute elastic waist skirts that I found at Old Navy and Target. I just mix and match the tops and stop caring that my limited wardrobe is quite boring and repetitive. Comfort is now key. BTW just in case you are wondering there will be no belly shots on this blog. Not that I mind belly shots. I think they are great for girls that have cute little bellies (to begin with) while I do not. I have had a cyst and my gall bladder removed, stretch marks, and a lovely c-section (although you can't really see that scar) which makes my belly not so cute.
My maternity clothes just look silly cause I'm not that BIG yet. So I am in between and it sucks. I hate going out and spending money on clothes that really will only last a few more weeks maybe a month or two at best. In my own defense I think that when you are pregnant for the second or third time your body goes "hmm...I remember this process oh well might as well let it all go" and boom you are huge immediately. Several people I know swore they were pregnant with twins the second time around cause there was no other explanation for the major expansion of their mid section in just a few short weeks. When in fact the nice little tight muscles (that event the softest of us had) are forever changed and no matter how hard you work will never go back that tight again.
My only salvation so far this summer is some cute elastic waist skirts that I found at Old Navy and Target. I just mix and match the tops and stop caring that my limited wardrobe is quite boring and repetitive. Comfort is now key. BTW just in case you are wondering there will be no belly shots on this blog. Not that I mind belly shots. I think they are great for girls that have cute little bellies (to begin with) while I do not. I have had a cyst and my gall bladder removed, stretch marks, and a lovely c-section (although you can't really see that scar) which makes my belly not so cute.
Give Aways
Tip Junkie is having a huge birthday bash giveaway all week to celebrate the move to a new site and their second anniversary. I love this site and have the most adorable ideas for all occasions. Check it out for details. (I don't know why the button won't work but the link is www.tipjunkie.com)
6.16.2009
Moving Day
But not for us...thank goodness. Instead it is moving day for the graduating residents in our apartment complex. You might remember that we live in hospital owned apartments for residents and their families.
This year out of the 24 apartments 10 are turning over to new residents. It feels very surreal seeing all of the moving trucks, the boxes, and the junk being thrown out. Then you see the new faces moving into apartments. It is sad yet some what exciting at the same time. We will forever miss some of our closest friends but we are looking forward to making new friends. So far we have seen no families with children move in :( much to the disappointment of Emily who looking for new friends to play with.
I get asked A LOT of questions. Things like where do we bank, where is the closest dry cleaner, which grocery store do we go to, and how do you get into the storage area. We are happy to share the information gathered over our last two years.
My kids are not shy and knows/is known by everyone in our complex. It is their home and they are comforted by this community that welcomed us. They too are having a hard time seeing their friends move but are thrilled to make new acquaintances. It is almost like seeing the season change. You are sad to put your favorite pair of jeans away in the spring but are anxious to go swimming and eat fresh sweet corn for the first time all year.
My mom is leaving in two weeks to head home. It will be a rough transition for all of us when she is gone. The kids mentioned that they miss their friends so I am hopeful that going back to daycare will not be so bad. If they only knew what other changes we have in store for them lol.
This year out of the 24 apartments 10 are turning over to new residents. It feels very surreal seeing all of the moving trucks, the boxes, and the junk being thrown out. Then you see the new faces moving into apartments. It is sad yet some what exciting at the same time. We will forever miss some of our closest friends but we are looking forward to making new friends. So far we have seen no families with children move in :( much to the disappointment of Emily who looking for new friends to play with.
I get asked A LOT of questions. Things like where do we bank, where is the closest dry cleaner, which grocery store do we go to, and how do you get into the storage area. We are happy to share the information gathered over our last two years.
My kids are not shy and knows/is known by everyone in our complex. It is their home and they are comforted by this community that welcomed us. They too are having a hard time seeing their friends move but are thrilled to make new acquaintances. It is almost like seeing the season change. You are sad to put your favorite pair of jeans away in the spring but are anxious to go swimming and eat fresh sweet corn for the first time all year.
My mom is leaving in two weeks to head home. It will be a rough transition for all of us when she is gone. The kids mentioned that they miss their friends so I am hopeful that going back to daycare will not be so bad. If they only knew what other changes we have in store for them lol.
6.15.2009
Fun Dutch Style
Late last week Bret and I decided to take the kids to Dutch Wonderland today. This is a theme park located in Lancaster, PA which is only about 30 minutes away. It is unique in that the entire park is gaged toward small children (aka under the age of 12 or so). Last year there were only 2 rides that Emily was not tall enough to ride and it has a water park attached to it. Out of all the theme parks that we have visited here in PA (5 total) this is our favorite. It is one of the cheapest to go to and the kids LOVED it.
We had planned to take the kids sometime this summer but summer is quickly getting away from us. As mentioned Bret is on night all of July and August is a pretty busy time for me at work (and it is really hot then too). So we looked at this week and today was the only day that would really work for both of us so we are off. I took a half day of work so that we could leave at noon. Ideally we would have liked to have the entire morning to go also but asking for a half day at the last minute did not go over very well at all.
I know that when I was a supervisor it is sometimes hard to remain consistent when it comes to enforcing policy. I tried pretty hard though cause it drives me CRAZY when a boss lets something go for a long time and then picks a totally random day or request to decide that oh by the way this isn't really kosher with policy so don't do it again. (For example asking for time off with less than two weeks notice). I suppose I could have called in sick (which is what some of my coworkers would have done) but instead I was completely honest. I NEVER ask for time off last minute (other than sick time) because Bret can never get off at the last minute. His leave requests have to be in 3 months in advance so my requests usually follow. We take most of our time to go back to KS and once in a while for a conference. It's not like I am asking for tomorrow off either. I gave 4 working days notice. Oh well.
It is just one more thing that makes me wonder if this job really is a good fit. Either way I am not going to let it take away from the super excited kids that are waiting for me at home to take them to the second happiest place on earth. Happy Monday!
We had planned to take the kids sometime this summer but summer is quickly getting away from us. As mentioned Bret is on night all of July and August is a pretty busy time for me at work (and it is really hot then too). So we looked at this week and today was the only day that would really work for both of us so we are off. I took a half day of work so that we could leave at noon. Ideally we would have liked to have the entire morning to go also but asking for a half day at the last minute did not go over very well at all.
I know that when I was a supervisor it is sometimes hard to remain consistent when it comes to enforcing policy. I tried pretty hard though cause it drives me CRAZY when a boss lets something go for a long time and then picks a totally random day or request to decide that oh by the way this isn't really kosher with policy so don't do it again. (For example asking for time off with less than two weeks notice). I suppose I could have called in sick (which is what some of my coworkers would have done) but instead I was completely honest. I NEVER ask for time off last minute (other than sick time) because Bret can never get off at the last minute. His leave requests have to be in 3 months in advance so my requests usually follow. We take most of our time to go back to KS and once in a while for a conference. It's not like I am asking for tomorrow off either. I gave 4 working days notice. Oh well.
It is just one more thing that makes me wonder if this job really is a good fit. Either way I am not going to let it take away from the super excited kids that are waiting for me at home to take them to the second happiest place on earth. Happy Monday!
6.14.2009
YES over and over and over again
Today is Bret and I's 6 year wedding anniversary. Bret is not exactly the most romantic guy you will ever meet but the one thing that he totally did right was his proposal. Although 6 years is not really a significant number (aka divisible by 5) it is still a great milestone for us. It is a reminder that given the chance I would still say yes over and over and over again. I love you so much and you are my greatest blessing.
It was a typical Saturday morning and Bret had mentioned that he wanted to spend some time in his apartment getting laundry done and cleaning up a bit. Normally I would find this request rather suspicious but his parents were coming into town the next day for a visit.
I had a mani scheduled for the morning and then planned to get some cleaning of my own done too. I realized after I got my mani done that I had inadvertently locked my keys in my car and had to call Bret to run back to my apt to get my spare key. I was a little miffed by the fact that he acted like I was "bothering" him when he didn't really have anything going on anyways.
Once home and I got the brilliant idea to steam clean my carpets and called my oh so strong boyfriend to come help move some furniture. Although once again frustrated with me he came and assisted me in my spur of the moment project. Right before he left he asked if I wanted to go to dinner. He mentioned that it was our 2 1/2 year anniversary (which was again a little strange since we didn't really do half anniversaries). So the plan was that he was going to be back to get me at 5.
I proceed to clean the carpets and got my neighbor guys to come over and help move furniture back in place. I was ready to go and sat waiting for him to show. 5 came and went as did 6 and 6:30. Attempts to call his cell phone went straight to voice mail. Finally after 7 he showed up. By this time I am beyond annoyed and super hungry and in the middle of a movie I had decided to watch. When Bret asked if I was ready to go I in a very stubborn tone said NO.
A brief moment of panic shot across Bret's face that made me feel just guilty (and hungry) enough to concede. So we leave and just as we get across town Bret exclaims that he had forgotten some laundry in the dryer. Normally this would be no big deal but recently some jerks had been know to dump clean laundry on the floor or worse the trash if you left it in the dryer and they wanted to use it. Well, this royally pissed me off. I will be the first to admit that I am a totally grump when I am hungry.
So we start to head for the laundry building and I (ashamedly) was chewing Bret out. I think at one point I said "what the hell have you been doing all day...seriously I know how much laundry you have and it could not have been that much...I can't believe you were over 2 hours late picking me...seriously how rude can you be today". Just about that time we rounded the corner and there in the middle of the back yard was a beautiful candle lit dinner table waiting for us.
Can we say foot in mouth?
Not only did he have a gorgeous table set but he also had a friend in culinary school fix us the most delicious 5 course meal ever...champagne and all. I remember thinking the whole time not to get my hopes up. He did mention earlier that it was our 2 1/2 year anniversary and I didn't want to spoil the evening by hoping for something that may or may not happen.
After we enjoyed the best meal ever Bret asked if I was ready to go inside. I said yes and he blew out the floating candle that was floating in a really large brandy glass that was our center piece. When this happened it got way darker than we had expected even though he had strung lights up in the tree.
The next thing I knew Bret was digging through the crushed marbles that were in the bottom of the brandy glass. Then with sheer panic on his face he tried to pour the water out and was sorting through the marbles. I had no idea what was going or what he was doing. I was starting to laugh because he looked pretty crazy with this center piece. One minute is was on the floor looking for something and the next thing I know he stopped and just dropped to one knee.
I was so surprised. He started to get really teary and said that he was sorry that everything got messed up at the end. Apparently he had the ring sitting in the middle of the brandy glass thinking that I might see it. When he blew the candle out and reached inside he couldn't find it. Then we was worried that maybe he poured it out on the ground when he dumped some of the water out. He said a bunch of stuff but I don't remember any of it. We both laughed and cried and were so excited. I think the funniest part was that when we went back inside we tried to call everyone...and NO ONE was home. My parents, his parents, neither of our sisters, roommates...no one.
Oh well. Saying yes was the best decision I ever made and I would make the same one over and over and over again.
I love you!
It was a typical Saturday morning and Bret had mentioned that he wanted to spend some time in his apartment getting laundry done and cleaning up a bit. Normally I would find this request rather suspicious but his parents were coming into town the next day for a visit.
I had a mani scheduled for the morning and then planned to get some cleaning of my own done too. I realized after I got my mani done that I had inadvertently locked my keys in my car and had to call Bret to run back to my apt to get my spare key. I was a little miffed by the fact that he acted like I was "bothering" him when he didn't really have anything going on anyways.
Once home and I got the brilliant idea to steam clean my carpets and called my oh so strong boyfriend to come help move some furniture. Although once again frustrated with me he came and assisted me in my spur of the moment project. Right before he left he asked if I wanted to go to dinner. He mentioned that it was our 2 1/2 year anniversary (which was again a little strange since we didn't really do half anniversaries). So the plan was that he was going to be back to get me at 5.
I proceed to clean the carpets and got my neighbor guys to come over and help move furniture back in place. I was ready to go and sat waiting for him to show. 5 came and went as did 6 and 6:30. Attempts to call his cell phone went straight to voice mail. Finally after 7 he showed up. By this time I am beyond annoyed and super hungry and in the middle of a movie I had decided to watch. When Bret asked if I was ready to go I in a very stubborn tone said NO.
A brief moment of panic shot across Bret's face that made me feel just guilty (and hungry) enough to concede. So we leave and just as we get across town Bret exclaims that he had forgotten some laundry in the dryer. Normally this would be no big deal but recently some jerks had been know to dump clean laundry on the floor or worse the trash if you left it in the dryer and they wanted to use it. Well, this royally pissed me off. I will be the first to admit that I am a totally grump when I am hungry.
So we start to head for the laundry building and I (ashamedly) was chewing Bret out. I think at one point I said "what the hell have you been doing all day...seriously I know how much laundry you have and it could not have been that much...I can't believe you were over 2 hours late picking me...seriously how rude can you be today". Just about that time we rounded the corner and there in the middle of the back yard was a beautiful candle lit dinner table waiting for us.
Can we say foot in mouth?
Not only did he have a gorgeous table set but he also had a friend in culinary school fix us the most delicious 5 course meal ever...champagne and all. I remember thinking the whole time not to get my hopes up. He did mention earlier that it was our 2 1/2 year anniversary and I didn't want to spoil the evening by hoping for something that may or may not happen.
After we enjoyed the best meal ever Bret asked if I was ready to go inside. I said yes and he blew out the floating candle that was floating in a really large brandy glass that was our center piece. When this happened it got way darker than we had expected even though he had strung lights up in the tree.
The next thing I knew Bret was digging through the crushed marbles that were in the bottom of the brandy glass. Then with sheer panic on his face he tried to pour the water out and was sorting through the marbles. I had no idea what was going or what he was doing. I was starting to laugh because he looked pretty crazy with this center piece. One minute is was on the floor looking for something and the next thing I know he stopped and just dropped to one knee.
I was so surprised. He started to get really teary and said that he was sorry that everything got messed up at the end. Apparently he had the ring sitting in the middle of the brandy glass thinking that I might see it. When he blew the candle out and reached inside he couldn't find it. Then we was worried that maybe he poured it out on the ground when he dumped some of the water out. He said a bunch of stuff but I don't remember any of it. We both laughed and cried and were so excited. I think the funniest part was that when we went back inside we tried to call everyone...and NO ONE was home. My parents, his parents, neither of our sisters, roommates...no one.
Oh well. Saying yes was the best decision I ever made and I would make the same one over and over and over again.
I love you!
6.13.2009
Just enough to be dangerous
I had a doctor's appointment yesterday...actually it was a sonogram. I am only 11 weeks pregnant so it was just a check to see if my ovarian cysts that I had removed was still there or not and to measure the gestational age of the baby. Everything looked great. *huge sigh of relief*
I am not an OB/GYN far from it actually. However, I have heard thousands of stories about everything you could (and some that you couldn't) imagine. That said I have also heard a lot of really awful things that have happened. I am a pretty well grounded person and can usually put everything into perspective. That doesn't mean, though, that I don't still worry.
I have had 2 perfect children and one very early miscarriage. Every pregnancy was different and this time is no exception...well except that I know a lot more. All of this is to say that I am always so relieved when I have my sonograms to have that tiny bit of reassurance that everything is going well. I also have a super patient husband that answers my millions of questions.
Some of you may have read recently that Dr. George Tiller was murdered. He lived in Wichita, KS which is where Bret and I were living before we moved here. It was strange that everything happened the week we happened to be there. While I was definitely NO fan of Dr. Tiller I am also no advocate for murder or any sort of violence.
I had my first sonogram (compliments of Dr. Heskett..yes there are some benefits) when I was just barely six weeks pregnant. While I didn't see what would look like an actual baby I saw a heart beat. More importantly I HEARD a heart beat. Although it was slightly faster than mine it was just as strong and loud. It was a HEART BEAT at just six weeks. Fast forward to yesterday at 11 weeks and I saw a baby. It had a head with a brain, arms, legs, and was doing some crazy somersaults inside of me. It was a BABY. People can reason or justify all that they want to but I have seen with my own eyes that even at a point (it would have to grow for 8 more weeks before it is even considered late term for abortion) so early in pregnancy it is still a baby that has a beating heart and is alive.
I am not an OB/GYN far from it actually. However, I have heard thousands of stories about everything you could (and some that you couldn't) imagine. That said I have also heard a lot of really awful things that have happened. I am a pretty well grounded person and can usually put everything into perspective. That doesn't mean, though, that I don't still worry.
I have had 2 perfect children and one very early miscarriage. Every pregnancy was different and this time is no exception...well except that I know a lot more. All of this is to say that I am always so relieved when I have my sonograms to have that tiny bit of reassurance that everything is going well. I also have a super patient husband that answers my millions of questions.
Some of you may have read recently that Dr. George Tiller was murdered. He lived in Wichita, KS which is where Bret and I were living before we moved here. It was strange that everything happened the week we happened to be there. While I was definitely NO fan of Dr. Tiller I am also no advocate for murder or any sort of violence.
I had my first sonogram (compliments of Dr. Heskett..yes there are some benefits) when I was just barely six weeks pregnant. While I didn't see what would look like an actual baby I saw a heart beat. More importantly I HEARD a heart beat. Although it was slightly faster than mine it was just as strong and loud. It was a HEART BEAT at just six weeks. Fast forward to yesterday at 11 weeks and I saw a baby. It had a head with a brain, arms, legs, and was doing some crazy somersaults inside of me. It was a BABY. People can reason or justify all that they want to but I have seen with my own eyes that even at a point (it would have to grow for 8 more weeks before it is even considered late term for abortion) so early in pregnancy it is still a baby that has a beating heart and is alive.
6.12.2009
Dr. Dad
There are 16 OB/GYN residents in Bret's program. Out of those 16 two of them are dads. Out of those two dads one is a graduating resident (aka chief) and is done for the year. That leaves one remaining dad in the entire program. Guess who is scheduled to work on Father's Day.
That would be Bret. We knew that he was going to have to work this weekend. He had the last two weekends off because of our trip home to KS. However, we never in a million years thought he would need to request Sunday off since he was the ONLY dad in the program. We assumed he would work a 24 on Saturday instead. No such luck.
I am sure that if he guilted enough someone would have switched with him but it would have taken a lot of guilt work. He goes on to nights next weekend which means he is 6 weeks from being able to switch a weekend with someone else. Oh, well.
We have spent other holidays in the resident call room of the hospital and this is no different. We will pack up movies, games, crayons, and other fun activities and hope for a very slow day for Bret. We will either take lunch in with us or eat at our favorite cafeteria. The kids will probably spend some time at the nurses station (cause they are very popular with the nurses) and I will get some much craved reading time as well.
Bret will come home that evening to his favorite home cooked meal, cards made by the kids, and some super fun presents. It is also our anniversary on Sunday but we will have celebrated it the night before at one of our favorite restraunts. The evening will be topped with an extra special dessert.
It is not perfect but it is our life and we wouldn't have it any other way. I found a new blog the other day http://equanimityfound.blogspot.com/ and the first post I read brought me to tears.
She is expecting their first child and often wonders about the balancing act that is critical to surviving marriage to a doctor. I too wonder about this often but only need to see the bond between my children and my husband to find the reassurance that love, admiration, and commitment to each other is strong. I think a good parent is a good parent regardless of the profession that take on. Parents that are doctors have to work a lot harder to find the time but the lessons that they teach their children through the example of their life's work has it's own rewards.
Below is the link she had on her site that is to a post that a child of a doctor wrote about what it was like to have a dad that is an OB/GYN. Happy father's day to all of the dads out there!
6.11.2009
Budget cuts really? REALLY?!?!
This month is graduation for the residents who have completed their program. It is also the time where we welcome the new residents into the program. This means fancy dinners/receptions, fun hello/goodbye brunches, and much more casual BBQ's.
For the first time ever the department made an announcement that only the children of the graduating residents are welcome to ANY of the programs. My first thought was that they wanted to make the shin digs more adult oriented...which is fine. Then I find out upon further clarification that infants (aka lap children that don't eat) are fine just no kids that would require a meal. The reason you ask? Budget cuts.
REALLY?
My kids eat so little that they could literally eat off my plate and be perfectly fine. I am a little dumbfounded by this announcement and don't know what to think. Let me point out that out of 16 residents (including the new incoming ones but not the graduates) only 2 have children that are not infants and we are one of them. Only three others have babies. Bret pointed out that last year several of the attendings that came also brought their children. Granted this ups the numbers..but not by much.
I think that a more tactful way to handle this was to set a limit of guests and then offer the opportunity to pay for the additional guest. I can promise you that two kids meals would cost us a heck of a lot less than the babysitter we are going to have to get for the event.
It's not like we don't already give enough of our time to this program. Bret works ALL the time and our family time is very precious. I enjoy going to these programs...I really do but I don't enjoy going to them at the expense of time away from my family. Besides we have come to know these graduating residents as part of our family. My kids are close (if not sometimes closer) to the people leaving than some of the other residents or attendings even are. It seems very unfair to exclude such a small group with excuse of budget.
I have always been the first to declare that one of the most important parts of this program to me is that they are family oriented. If this recent change is ANY indication my opinions will have to change as well. If there are already going to be children there (infants and the graduating residents' families) and when we are talking about such a small number really is it worth it?
For the first time ever the department made an announcement that only the children of the graduating residents are welcome to ANY of the programs. My first thought was that they wanted to make the shin digs more adult oriented...which is fine. Then I find out upon further clarification that infants (aka lap children that don't eat) are fine just no kids that would require a meal. The reason you ask? Budget cuts.
REALLY?
My kids eat so little that they could literally eat off my plate and be perfectly fine. I am a little dumbfounded by this announcement and don't know what to think. Let me point out that out of 16 residents (including the new incoming ones but not the graduates) only 2 have children that are not infants and we are one of them. Only three others have babies. Bret pointed out that last year several of the attendings that came also brought their children. Granted this ups the numbers..but not by much.
I think that a more tactful way to handle this was to set a limit of guests and then offer the opportunity to pay for the additional guest. I can promise you that two kids meals would cost us a heck of a lot less than the babysitter we are going to have to get for the event.
It's not like we don't already give enough of our time to this program. Bret works ALL the time and our family time is very precious. I enjoy going to these programs...I really do but I don't enjoy going to them at the expense of time away from my family. Besides we have come to know these graduating residents as part of our family. My kids are close (if not sometimes closer) to the people leaving than some of the other residents or attendings even are. It seems very unfair to exclude such a small group with excuse of budget.
I have always been the first to declare that one of the most important parts of this program to me is that they are family oriented. If this recent change is ANY indication my opinions will have to change as well. If there are already going to be children there (infants and the graduating residents' families) and when we are talking about such a small number really is it worth it?
6.10.2009
Momma Mia!
So we had a stow-away come back from KS with us....my mom. She is going to spend the next month or so with us and we couldn't be more thrilled.
Summer feels more like summer for my kids when they get to stay home with my mom. She takes them to the library, the pool, the park, and plays with them all the time. They get to sleep in in the morning and eat their favorite meals and snacks. Not to mention they are spending their time with one of their favorite people.
My mom has also begun the process of potty training Palmer. I will be the first to admit that Bret and I have avoided this journey just a smidge. It is a lot of work and takes a ton of patience. There is nothing that grandparents do better than have patience with their grandchildren not to mention the one on one attention all day helps a ton too. So far he has been doing pretty well.
The kids are not the only ones to enjoy having her stay with us. It is like a breath of fresh air having her around. My mom is an impecible house keeper. My house is spotless, the laundry is done and put away, and the closets are even organized. To get up in the morning and not have to get two small children around is such an amazing feeling (sleeping in just a little is awesome too).
Bret's favorite part of having my mom stay is the built in babysitter. My mom is naturally a home body and is happiest staying home with the children ALL THE TIME. I am not just saying that cause sometimes it is like pulling teeth to get her to come with us. This means that Bret and I have had dinner out together and went out with friends for a quiz bowel held at a local place for fun. The time we spend together during this upcoming month is so good for us that I can't begin to describe it. Just the freedom to go see a movie without the extra cost and burden of a babysitter is amazing.
Don't worry my mom will be the first to tell you that we spoil her while she is with us. I take her shopping and make sure that the house is stocked with all of her favorite food and drinks. I have introduced her to my love of the DVR and have all of her Univision shows recorded for her viewing pleasure.
I know that the next few weeks will fly by...they always do. But for now we are enjoying each day and savoring the joy that is shared by all with her visit. I still wish she would move here but I understand why she won't/can't. I choose to focus on the positive and try to squeeze just a few extra days while I can.
Summer feels more like summer for my kids when they get to stay home with my mom. She takes them to the library, the pool, the park, and plays with them all the time. They get to sleep in in the morning and eat their favorite meals and snacks. Not to mention they are spending their time with one of their favorite people.
My mom has also begun the process of potty training Palmer. I will be the first to admit that Bret and I have avoided this journey just a smidge. It is a lot of work and takes a ton of patience. There is nothing that grandparents do better than have patience with their grandchildren not to mention the one on one attention all day helps a ton too. So far he has been doing pretty well.
The kids are not the only ones to enjoy having her stay with us. It is like a breath of fresh air having her around. My mom is an impecible house keeper. My house is spotless, the laundry is done and put away, and the closets are even organized. To get up in the morning and not have to get two small children around is such an amazing feeling (sleeping in just a little is awesome too).
Bret's favorite part of having my mom stay is the built in babysitter. My mom is naturally a home body and is happiest staying home with the children ALL THE TIME. I am not just saying that cause sometimes it is like pulling teeth to get her to come with us. This means that Bret and I have had dinner out together and went out with friends for a quiz bowel held at a local place for fun. The time we spend together during this upcoming month is so good for us that I can't begin to describe it. Just the freedom to go see a movie without the extra cost and burden of a babysitter is amazing.
Don't worry my mom will be the first to tell you that we spoil her while she is with us. I take her shopping and make sure that the house is stocked with all of her favorite food and drinks. I have introduced her to my love of the DVR and have all of her Univision shows recorded for her viewing pleasure.
I know that the next few weeks will fly by...they always do. But for now we are enjoying each day and savoring the joy that is shared by all with her visit. I still wish she would move here but I understand why she won't/can't. I choose to focus on the positive and try to squeeze just a few extra days while I can.
Tova's Moving Extravaganza
I am the featured story over at Tova's site today! Go see I'll wait.
She asked for stories about moving experiences and boy did she get one...although it wasn't really funny or happy.
The point is that we survived and learned that we will NOT be moving ourselves EVER again. I can look back and laugh now (sort of) and I am not nearly as attached to our things anymore (which is good since I have sold a lot more of it since then).
She asked for stories about moving experiences and boy did she get one...although it wasn't really funny or happy.
The point is that we survived and learned that we will NOT be moving ourselves EVER again. I can look back and laugh now (sort of) and I am not nearly as attached to our things anymore (which is good since I have sold a lot more of it since then).
6.09.2009
What's your tell?
So my week off didn't go exactly as planned as far as blogging goes but I promise to make it up to you.
One of my favorite movies is Maverick. I love this movie. Jodie Foster is not usually one of my favorites but in this movie I love her. Bret and I have been fans of poker long before it was popular to like poker. We watched the World Poker tour before most people even knew what a river card even was.
In poker as in most things people have a tell. A tell is something that you do or don't do that gives you away when you are bluffing or trying to hide something. It may be holding your breath, darting your eyes, coughing, or even sweating.
My tell has always been alcohol. No I don't mean that when I start to drink I start to tell. I mean that when I don't start to drink people guess my bluff. Sit at a dinner table with a group of friends and order a glass of water and they will all at the same time guess.....
that....
you....
are...
One of my favorite movies is Maverick. I love this movie. Jodie Foster is not usually one of my favorites but in this movie I love her. Bret and I have been fans of poker long before it was popular to like poker. We watched the World Poker tour before most people even knew what a river card even was.
In poker as in most things people have a tell. A tell is something that you do or don't do that gives you away when you are bluffing or trying to hide something. It may be holding your breath, darting your eyes, coughing, or even sweating.
My tell has always been alcohol. No I don't mean that when I start to drink I start to tell. I mean that when I don't start to drink people guess my bluff. Sit at a dinner table with a group of friends and order a glass of water and they will all at the same time guess.....
that....
you....
are...
Yep...that would be a cross on the line. I took this picture with my phone and emailed it to Bret since he was on call that night and of course I couldn't wait to tell him later.
Needless to say going home for a week with family, friends, and a wedding it was going to be a hard time to not let my tell show. Not to mention my past experiences with being in a wedding while pregnant...yeah that was fun.
You will be happy to know that I did not pass out and for the most part no one figured out that I am pregnant. The wedding was amazing, the bride looked so pretty, Palmer decided that he did not want to walk down the isle, Emily was perfect and danced so long she got a blister, and I fit into the dress with minimal problems and had a great time inspite of the fact that I was the ONLY sober person at the entire wedding. I left my camera in KS and it is being mailed back to me so you will have to wait for pictures.
To any family that read my blog and are finding out for the first time...I apologize for not telling you in person but there just didn't seem like there was enough time while we were home. Bret wanted to be sure to tell his mom first and that didn't happen until we were packed and literally sitting in the truck saying goodbye. BTW she took it pretty well.
So our crazy life in PA is getting a little crazier. There is so many things that I don't have answers to (like where in a 2 bedroom apt we are going to put this baby or how we are going to afford daycare) but we are excited and hoping that December will be here before we know it. Things are still pretty early but we are hopeful for a very uneventful 3rd pregnancy. See I told you I would make it up to you!
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