Saturday, August 30, 2008

Update on Surgery

My father-in-law had his surgery today. It was a pretty crazy week leading up to it. He was very nervous, and so were the rest of us. The last few days he hasn't got any sleep. He went in at 7:30 this morning to get ready. They got him all checked in, on the bed to go, and an emergency came in. They kept him on "happy drugs" (as the nurse put it) while he was waiting, and she said he was doing fine. We had to take the kids home around 12:30 so they could take a nap. When we left at that time, they still had not started the surgery. I let my mother-in-law know to call us when he went in. We were told it would be a 2 to 4 hour surgery. At 2:15 we got a call that he was done. The surgeon had told them that it went really good. I guess his spleen popped right up and came out without a hitch.

We have checked on him twice since he got finished. Once when he was able to have visitors, and then once tonight. He is in ICU because they want to make sure he doesn't have an issue with bleeding. I know they are keeping a close watch on him because of his heart too. They told him he'd be in ICU 1 maybe 2 days if all goes well.

Thank you to everyone who kept our family in your thoughts and prayers. We have all been really blessed, and I know they were/are helping. He's not out of the woods yet, but this should really help him out a lot. Just keep praying that his recovery goes well, and he is back up and going in no time.

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

When did...

When did life get so busy? Better yet, where did the last few weeks go? I have known for a long time that the last couple of weeks living in the US would go fast and a lot would need to be done. Why is it going so fast though?! It seems like it has just blown by us. We have been in Kansas City the last few days and will be for the rest of the week. My husband's parents live here, and we are having a lot of fun visiting them.

On Monday, my mother-in-law retired from work. She had been at her job at Hallmark for 41 years! I get stir crazy at a job after a year or two. I can't imagine what 41 years is like. She had a retirement party at her work. She brought in close friends and family to start off with. They talked about her time at Hallmark, and her favorite memories. They presented her with a gift, and then they let the people in. She had a lot of people come down and wish her well. I know she is glad to be done. The last couple of years have really taken a lot out of her, and she's really been tired the last year. I know it is probably weird for her to not be working, but I think once she gets use to it, she'll love it. Besides, she has a lot of frequent flier miles to earn :)

My father-in-law is having surgery on Friday. He is having his spleen removed. There is an issue with it being over active. I have blogged about it before. We welcome any prayers and well wishes you have. It is a pretty extensive surgery (about 4 hours long), and it takes a bit of recovery time as well.

As I get a bit more time in the next few days, I'll have to blog more. I hope everyone who reads this is well!

Thursday, August 21, 2008

Boy, How Times Have Changed!


I remember when I got my first CD player. It was for my 16th birthday. I can't remember my first tape player, but I remember having a really "cool" one a few years earlier. At the time I got the CD player they were still pretty pricey. My Mom was in school full time, and it made times a little rough.

I have always said I wanted an Ipod or Zune. When we got a new laptop at the first of the year, I told my husband I was going to buy one. All of a sudden he just said, "Sure! Get one." I was in shock.

So, did I get one? No. I all of a sudden couldn't decide on what kind I wanted, what size of memory, and most important...what color. I looked all day while he went to different stores looking at laptops. I kept thinking about it, and I just couldn't make up my mind. I also didn't know if I would really use it to be worth spending the money. At that (and this) point in time, no it wasn't.

I do find it funny that I thought it necessary to buy a kid one for Genevieve. My excuse? I got it for the trip to Germany. I was hoping that it would be one thing she could use to occupy some time on the plane. I am hoping she sleeps, but just in case, I'm set. My baby has an MP3 player, and I don't :p I'm sure in no time she'll be the one teaching me how to do things. Now that's scary.

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Forgive Me?

So I have been absent for a day or two. Some pretty big changes have happened. My husband (after 5 months away) is finally home. He made it home in record time, and we've been busy since.

He left Fort Gordon on Friday after he finished his paperwork and picked up his car. He was down the road and made it to my sister's house in good time. It would have been better but I guess he didn't see the exit the first time through (I'm sure it's my fault), and there was a football game, so traffic was backed up. I was told they all had a good time. Him, my sister, her husband, and her husband's brother all hung out. They had dinner, and they played the Wii. I was told that my husband won Mario Party.

The next day he woke up and took off. He only stopped to fill up the car, use the bathroom, and get something to eat. Most of the time it was done all at the same stop. He made the trip in about 10 1/2 hours. We were all outside when he drove up. I had been telling Genevieve all day (all week really) that her Daddy was coming home. She didn't act like she believed me. When he drove up she saw the car and yelled, "THAT'S DADDY'S CAR!" She was so excited to see him.

The last couple of days have gone good. We have been adjusting to life as a family again, and we are excited he's home safe and sound. We have been busy trying to get things ready for our big move. Not too much longer now.

Saturday, August 16, 2008

Road Trip for a Day

Yesterday was a busy day. My best friend, Lacy, had the day off. We decided that since we were both free, we should meet up for lunch. We picked a place that was around half way, and we met up. I got up early and took Genevieve to school, and then Samuel and I took off down the road. We made really good time, and it was a nice trip. It wasn't too long, and it seemed to go quick.

Lunch was really nice. Lacy, Kevin (her husband), and I all went and had a good lunch. I did cut my pinkie pretty bad. It didn't look bad, but it was on the tip, and it hurts. It took awhile for it to stop bleeding. We talked about our reunion a few weeks ago, the kids, the upcoming move, and several other things.

After we were finished we hit the "mall" (I say it like that because it is fairly small) to do a little shopping. I don' t think either of us really bought anything for us. Our girls did get a couple of new things though. We hit up Sonic for Happy Hour though.

My relationship with Lacy has been the longest friendship I have ever had. We moved out to Tribune when I was going into the 8th grade. So if you do the math, that is 15 years. With all our moves when I was a kid, I never really had long term friends. We'd move away, my friends and I would write, and soon loose track of each other. I know that part of the reason we've stayed friends has to do with when I was in Tribune. I feel that it was easier for me to stay in contact with her because we were at an age where phone calls were normal. At 7 and 8, that isn't a thing most kids do (well maybe now days, but not in my time...remember I'm old).

Anyway, we have had our ups and downs. Our friendship has been tested several times. There have been things that have happened that could have blown most friendships out of the water. Somehow one of us always kept trying. I remember the summer my Mom had treatment for cancer. I wasn't really talking to anyone or doing anything. I had disconnected from life, and I remember a big blow up at the end of school with a lot of people. At the end of the summer, I got a letter in the mail. It was odd because I didn't ever get mail. It was a note from Lacy. She had colored the Friends (TV show) title on the top, and then she listed a bunch of fun times we had had together. The one I remember the most was something along the lines of friends making German Chocolate cakes, but never really bake it because they eat all the batter first. We had many other good times before that letter was sent, but that was the one I remember her writing about.

As Samuel and I left Hays, I felt really bad. I gave Lacy and hug, then Kevin, and then Lacy again. She told me, "I can't believe this is the last time I'm going to see you in years." I really hope her and Kevin decide to come over to Germany at some point in time. Not only would I love to see her, I'd love for her to see Europe. I will admit that I cried for part of the trip realizing just how much I'm going to miss things like this. We always have a good time no matter where we are.

Recently Lacy told me she started reading my blog. So Lacy, this one is for you! I'm going to miss you like crazy. You have been a great friend to me, and you can never be replaced. Thank you for all the great years, and thank you for not giving up on me. You always seem to know the right things to say and do, and I know that God put you in my life for that reason. We will figure out how to make it through us being in Germany. The offer always stands...If you and Kevin can make it over, you will have a place to stay. I love you!

Time's Up!

So time is up! We don't have to wait much longer for my husband to be home. He was released from school around lunch time, and has started home. He will say with my sister tonight (6 hours away), and then make the extra 12 hours tomorrow. Since he is getting in early to my sister's place, he will wake up early and head this way. He should be home by dinner :)

As I think back over the last 5 months he's been gone, a lot has happened. Our kids were 3 months and 2 years and 4 months old. They are now 7 months and almost 3. Samuel has started to crawl, and he has 4 teeth. Genevieve has grown into quite the little girl, and she loves going to see her friends at school during the week. I have grown more tired than I have ever been, but I can say without a doubt, I will live.

I'm so glad that it is almost over, and I am so proud of my hubby. Not only did he finish his school, he made Honor Grad. All I know is that it means he got good grades, and only a certain percent of his class get Honor Grad. I always knew he was smart. He married me didn't he?!

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Is it Just Me?

Is it just me, or is this week going by really slow? I have a lot going on this week, so you would think things wouldn't feel like they are dragging on. Yesterday was the day with the least amount of stuff to do, and I expected it to seem slow, but today seemed that way too. Today though, I had a lot of stuff to do. In fact, I was only home for about an hour today. We went out this evening and didn't make it home until right at bedtime for the kids.

I can give you the reason I think it is going slow, but it is only my theory. My husband is due home after being away since March at the end of the week. When you are waiting for something like that, it seems to make time stand still. Why is it when things are so far away time seems to fly, but once you start to look forward to something that is coming it, it slows way down?

The rest of the week is busy and includes a trip to Hays to see Lacy, my best friend from High School. I had promised her that I would come see her this summer while I was close. Things got crazy and busy, and I never made it up there. We talked at the reunion, and we decided to meet half way on her day off for lunch. We don't see each other as much as we would like, but we always seem to have fun when we do get together.

The week will round out with a garage sale. Mom and I have been wanting to have one all summer long. We haven't had time to have one. All of a sudden I just thought why not this weekend? So this weekend we will sit in our garage and sell stuff. If you want a good deal, come to my place! We have lots of junk...I mean great stuff to get rid of.

So everyone pray my week doesn't stand still any longer and that it starts to pick up.

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

So Hard

Tonight is the night. I made up my mind that tonight was the night that Samuel was going to have to go to bed, and if he woke up, he'd have to cry it out. I made a mattress for his Pack n Play last night. I just took a few blankets and folded them up real thick. To keep them down, I put a crib sheet over them and pulled it tight. That way it isn't so thin. If you have seen a Pack n Play, you know how thin those mats are. I sure as heck wouldn't want to sleep on one of those. So I did that, and I put him in there last night after he was good and asleep. I'd say he slept in there about 1/4 to 1/2 the night.

So tonight I decided it is time. He needs to start going to bed. Well it has now been about an hour since he woke up, and he is still crying off and on. I have been in several times (please don't think I'm just leaving him in there and not checking), and still no luck. It seems like when i do go in, it makes it worse. I am trying to space it out longer so he doesn't get worked up again. This breaks my heart. I cried the first couple of nights when I did this with Genevieve, and I am doing the same tonight. I just hate hearing that. Funny thing is, now I can hear Genevieve throw a fit at night, and it really doesn't bother me anymore. I leave her be, and I will go up after awhile, but usually she just does it for a few seconds and is done.

I know in the long run, this will be better for us all. I don't really want him to be sleeping in bed with me much longer. My husband is coming home from training in a week, and I'd like to have alone time with him. I also think that it is better for Samuel if he starts to sleep in his own bed. I realize it might be a hard habit to break since it has been so long, but I guess it is time to bite the bullet. Why is it so hard to listen to your children cry?

Monday, August 11, 2008

Just a Stupid Rant

So I know that we are getting an opportunity of a lifetime. Not too many people get the chance to move to another country and not have to pay for the majority of the moving costs. I know that time over there will be great, and I know how fun it will be to see everything. My rant has to do with certain creature comforts I've gotten use to. I'll just start and you can stop reading now if you want :p I won't be offended. So, you have been warned that I'm about to rant about stupid things. Here it goes...

1. There is no AC in the housing we will be in. I have heard the weather there is pleasant enough that there is no need for one, but I have grown to love the AC. I don't like being hot, and I have a fear about open windows at night. I don't know where this fear came from. When we were first married, we'd sleep with our bedroom window open at night all the time. Now that I think about it though, I can pinpoint when this fear started. It was when my husband left for the Army and it got worse when he deployed.

Our duplex we lived in was great about staying cool. I didn't have to run the air a lot to get it to stay cool. We didn't keep the windows open at all really because it was just so nice in the house with what little AC we ran. Our bills for a month were about 50 dollars for a 1200 sqft duplex. There was one month after he left that our bill was honestly only 20 bucks. I don't know how I pulled it off, but I did.

Anyway, when we moved to Ft Riley, we were in an 8 plex. There were 4 apartments on top and 4 on bottom. We lived on the bottom. There were some shady people living in our building, so I always made sure to keep everything locked up and closed. Since we lived on the bottom, it would be easy for someone to get in the place going through the windows. There wasn't any climbing to do. When I was alone, I feared that something would happen, and I wouldn't be able to defend myself. Thus I started to make sure all windows were closed and locked at all times. With no air from the outside coming in, we had to use the AC. The same fears happened when we were in Oklahoma because of living in a house. Only my fears switched from something happening to me to someone taking my baby. She was on the front of the house, and anyone could just come in and take her. It really scared me.

So, having to open windows bothers me. I am hoping (and for other reasons too) that we are not on the bottom floor. I will be a nervous wreck if we are.

2. Sonic. Yes, you are reading right. I am going to miss Sonic like crazy. There is just something about Sonic ice that rocks my world. It's easy to crunch, and I swear it makes a drink taste better. The day I found out you could buy the ice by the bag was awesome. I was then told by my husband that it was too expensive to buy. I got away with it because I used the pregnancy card (I was pregnant with Genevieve at the time). After I had her, I was told not to buy it anymore because I didn't have pregnancy cravings anymore. The day after I found out I was pregnant with Samuel, I made a trip to our local Sonic.

3. This is the last one I promise. I'm going to miss TV shows. I am addicted to Big Brother. I know I have talked about it in my blog before. I love the show. This season has started, and I'm really getting into it. No big deal about the move because I can watch it online right!? WRONG! I guess after visiting with some other girls who live overseas, you cannot watch shows from the US online from the sites. I guess it is only for viewing in the US, and so the site will not load up the video from the internet overseas. Not only does this knock out Big Brother, but a few other shows that I know I can catch online.

Then there are the shows they don't show online, but they don't show there. I am going to hang my head and admit that I love General Hospital. I first started watching it when my sister and I were little. She watched it, and I just started to. I think we watched it every day that summer. Of course with the school season starting, we went on about our lives. Fast forward many many many years, and I get back into it. With the rising of DVR, I haven't really missed a show for a long time. It's sad to say that I'm not going to be able to watch it. I know that in 3 years the actors may change, the kids will be grown, but the plot will be the same. I can jump back into it in no time. It's just one more thing in life I feel like I have to give up to get something cool.

And that brings me to my whole purpose of the rant. It seems like to get something that is a great experience, I'm going to have to give up so much. It's not only the stupid things like Sonic, TV, and AC, but it is also the big things. I'm going to have to give up being able to see my family whenever I want. I am going to have to give up some of those phone calls with my sister that sometimes go on for hours and make me feel good after we hang up. I'm going to have to give up just picking up the phone whenever I want and calling my friends without thinking about if I am going to wake them up or not. I will miss the kids not seeing either set of grandparents as much as they do now.

I guess what I might be trying to say is simply this. I am getting scared about the changes coming up in my life. I know I will be a better woman, wife, mom, daughter, etc because of what I learn. I have always said that God has put us where we need to be when we need to be there. I believe that with my whole heart. Even with my belief in that statement, it doesn't alway make it easy to go. Being that I'm going to Europe, I will quote a song from one of my favorite shows...The Sound of Music. There is a song at the first when she is getting ready to leave for the home in which she is to be a nanny essentially. She says that the Lord never closes a door without opening a window. Then in the song she goes on to sing something like (please know it might not totally be right because I am typing late, and I'm not looking it up), "What will this day be like? I wonder. What will my future bring? I wonder. I've always longed for adventure, to do the things I never did. Now I'm facing an adventure, then why am I so scared?" I think that sums up me tonight. I am one that loves to do new things, but I am just scared. I don't know why, I just am. I guess that really just comes with anything in life, and any change.

People ask me all the time if I'm excited. I keep telling everyone yes. I am excited, but I am also scared about how my life will change. Life changes all the time though, so it is time to embrace the change and face our new adventure. Does that mean I can't be scared? I hope not because I will be scared for awhile I'm sure. It will be good to have my husband home though to help with moral support.

Anyway, If you made it this far...I commend you for hanging in there. Thanks for listening/reading :) I have typed myself tired, and I think I'm going to try and go to bed. I am trying out something new for Samuel, and I will let you know what it is, and if it worked another night.

Saturday, August 9, 2008

1 Month from Today

I didn't notice until a few hours ago just how close our move is coming. One month from today, we will be on a plane headed to Germany. When we started the major process of moving, it was March, and it seemed like it would never come around. Now we are a month away, and it seems like there isn't enough time. I noticed as I was walking out of Subway tonight that it was really starting to look like fall. I know it is because there has been a big storm, and that has brought cooler weather. The heat is sure to return soon. However, tonight it looked like fall.

Something that always gets me is what you think about when you think of certain seasons. Like a lot of people think of Christmas at winter or skiing. When I think of fall, I am taken back to my time spent in Chicago. I can honestly say that was one of the best times of my life. I loved my job, the classes were okay, the people were awesome, and I LOVE the city. There is something about Chicago that just caught my heart.

When I think of fall and think back, I think of the cold weather on that stupid leather sofa. I think about hot coco and walking the streets. I am taken back to the Festival of the Lights that goes on there at the start of every Christmas season. I remember the little shops that I would visit. I remember that my roommate Casey and I would travel down to the Magnificent Mile every weekend to shop or just look around. I remember my time on the trains and the bus.

I know there are times in everyone's lives that they have that have made an impact. I don't know why my semester in Chicago was so significant in my life. I don't know if it was because that is where I was when 9/11 happened. It was just an important time in my life. Maybe it was because I proved to myself a lot of things to myself that fall. All I know is that it is probably one of my favorite seasons because of the memories that it brings back.

One month and counting. Here goes nothing! One of the biggest changes in my life is coming and I think I'm ready :p I learned a long time ago, my husband and I can do anything together. I can do a lot of things on my own, but we do better together. Please keep our family in your prayers as we get ready for one big adventure. We are going to need them to get through that airplane ride with the two kids. :)

Wednesday, August 6, 2008

Who Me?!


If you know my husband and I very well, you know that we do not like for our children to have nicknames. We named them their names, and we do not shorten them. We do call Genevieve "Baby" sometimes, and Samuel has become "Buddy." These are fine I just don't like nicknames like Genny, Sammy, etc.

There have been a few people who have used nicknames for our children, and if they keep at it for a long time, I say something. It really makes some people laugh about how I am pretty big on not using the nicknames. It doesn't offend me or upset me, I just don't care for it. I know I should get over it, because I'm sure as they reach school age and start going, they will have nicknames. I can hope not, but I guess it is ultimately up to them.

So a new nickname came out in the past couple of days. This one was for Samuel. My Dad was joking around saying something about him. Then he stated that Buddy was too generic of a nickname, and he needed something better. He thought for a second, and then it hit him. He thought it would be perfect for him to be called Sammy Jimmy. Somehow I don't see that one sticking with him :p

Monday, August 4, 2008

10 Years Later...

It really has been 10 years. I can honestly say it wasn't all I thought it would be. Maybe it was because I expected things to have changed. It was amazing how even after 10 years everything just seemed to go back the way it was when we were in high school. All the people that hung out then seemed to migrate to each other, and there was little mixing around.

We all met for dinner at a classmates house. We talked for a bit and then did dinner. We left after a couple of hours because the kids were getting a bit tired. Genevieve had been out late the previous two nights, and with little excitement there, I decided it would be best to just take them home. It was good to see everyone, and I will probably go back just to see what everyone is up to.

I guess despite my disappointment in human nature, I really am curious about what life has in store for the "kids" I went to high school with. We shared so many different things, and I guess that will keep us connected (even if in a very minimal way) to each other.

Saturday, August 2, 2008

Round, Round, Round

Last night was a lot of fun.  I took the kids, and we went to visit with Lacy and see other classmates.  While we waited for the carnival to open up, we walked around the booths in the 4H building.  We ran into several classmates there.  It was nice seeing that I'm not the only one who has changed in one way or another.  

When the carnival opened up, we took the girls to ride the cars.  It's old cars that they put on something to make them go in a circle.  Genevieve wasn't too sure to start off with.  She didn't know if she wanted to stay in the car.  After the first two circles, she was hooked.  She didn't want to get off at all.  Every time it would stop, she'd say, "One more time, Momma."  The only way I got her off was to ride the train.  When it was time to go, we had a fight on our hands.

Tonight is the big get together for the class.  I know Genevieve has been asking all day to go see her friends.  I know she'll be ready to have fun and play.

Friday, August 1, 2008

We Made It

I can now happily report that the kids and I made it out to Tribune yesterday.  Genevieve woke up early so we took off after the car was loaded.  It was a somewhat long trip (it's only about 5 hours) only because there isn't much to look at.  There are a few towns you hit, but the bulk of what you see is trees, cows, and fields.  Samuel got upset just as we were leaving the last town before you arrive.  I kept saying..."Only a few more miles Buddy."  However, I don't think there is much reasoning with a 7 month old.  

The time change has really got to me this time.  I haven't always had issues with traveling between the two time zones.  I think that a lot of the issue has to do with the fact that my husband is currently living in Eastern Time and us in Central.  I am constantly looking at things from the stand point of being in both.  I have to think about what time it is for him before I call, or things like that.  Now I have to "live" in three zones (add Mountain to the above).  That is making it more challenging for us this time.

It has been interesting to be back.  It's like an old story I use to do in school for Forensics.  It talked about how you can never go home again.  It said something like, "Nothing is different.  Nothing has changed.  Come home."  It goes on to talk about how things even though they are not different at all by looks, everything is different and everything has changed.  That's how I feel.  I have been back in the past 10  years only 3 times.  Once was after I was out of high school and just started college, then for my dear friend Lacy's wedding, and when I was pregnant with Genevieve.  You can see people you know (some only by looks now), and they have no idea who you are.  This is what happened yesterday.  We went to lunch after we got here.  There wasn't really anyone who realized who I was.  I recognize several people, but no one seemed to know exactly who I was.  Later in the day I went to the grocery store and drug store alone, and the same thing.  People who had seen me on a very regular basis so long ago don't even know who I am anymore.  They walk past me and don't even realize that I'm back after so long.  It's actually been kind of interesting to see who and who doesn't know who I am.  

I was suppose to hang out with Lacy all day today.  She called last night, and their car broke down on the way here.  So they had to go to Goodland today and buy a new car.  While getting a new car is awesome, getting one unexpected isn't always fun.  I hope they find something great, and they don't get as stressed as I seem to get while buying cars.  We will meet up this afternoon when they get back from the big adventure.  There is a free BBQ this afternoon, and I'm all for free food.

Stay tuned for all things 10 year high school reunion :p