HOUSE

Most of my loved ones are probably sick of my running episode of 'HOUSE' (medical marvels, oh my!), then scroll away from this update...
Saw a new gen practitioner dr (after much prayer & deliberation of whom to start seeing). She is helping me get to the bottom of the medical run-arounds & jargon. Seems the inconsistencies could indicate the beginning stages of MS, or a stroke, or could just be a 'blur' (maybe I moved during the MRI, etc.). One thing that can be agreed on by all is that I have some symptoms that can't be ignored, that hv been around for at least 8 mos. My newest symptom: burning sensation in rt foot + the awful shin'ish pain in same leg, indicates neuropathy. There are non responding parts of my foot & numbness in my leg (didn't even feel a sharp stick). This sometimes accompanies diabetes (Dad has type 2, mom is borderline, I had gestational diabetes w/ both pregnancies) & I am 'pre diabetic'. But another parallel is nerve damage -> possibly not coincidental to the nerve issues in my face/head.
The sound of MS scares me but I'm not more worried than I am content that God has my future (& even my little medical issues) in the palm of His hand.

Background info... In April/May noticed a drooping in the right side of my face. In April/May started experiencing a tickle-like sensation in my right ear. Dr reported seeing "nothing" in my ear & recommended an ENT if I continued to notice sensation. Numbness in left arm/hand last month. Saw ENT mid-December who ordered brain MRI. Results showed no tumors but a few spots of "inconsistencies."

Christmas Vacation Productions

Our little break has lent itself to my boy & girl teaming up for some live action. Thankfully, I always have my phone (camera!) nearby & can get it all on camera in a unsuspecting fashion.

So, when this little 'drama' was set to begin, I got a request for a song. "something slow Momma" Flynn directed me. 'To the Sea' sounded like a good idea.

Next act was apparently the scene where the baby (conceived by the first dance?) was born.

And next, a grocery shopping trip with the baby -- now turned toddler.

I hope I never forget these moments.

Happy EIGHTH Birthday Flynn

Dearest Eight-Year Old Flynn,

What a year for you... you have changed so much.
While you still shy away from most adults who greet you, your giggling with your friends has gotten louder & your silliness...even sillier.
You've lost seven teeth so far & are about to leave toddler sizes (finally) in your shoes. Your hair is still bobbed short & your long skinny legs are constantly dancing your petite little frame around the house.
Second grade seems to be the most exciting yet. You seem to excel at writing & your creativity is one of your best assets.

You cartwheel, flip, & walkover all our furniture. Your feet will land on anything & anyone & your brother's head seems to be a part of all your stunts.Your year brought you lots of fun & adventure...

• Your Wolf-brother chased you (Lil Red Ridinghood) all the way to Grandmother's, for trick or treating fun.
• We rode roller-coaster after roller-coaster at Silver Dollar City.
• We enjoyed our first Christmas in a new house.
• Your second grade choir sang at Busch Stadium at the seventh inning stretch of a Cards' game.
• You tried a season of softball... and soccer... and still, dance.
  

Your '2nd annual' LemonAID stand helped a tornado-touched family. You donated 11 toys to the TOYS FOR TOTS. Your heart is bigger than your 40-something pound frame.

Just when I think I couldn't be more proud of you, you melt my heart even more.

I pray that your ninth year of life brings you more learning, more love, & God's light.

With a love you won't understand for many more years,

Momma

xoxo

Diagrams of Explanation (she takes after me)

A few mos ago, I comically illustrated a slight would-be-altercation between myself & some half-cocked lady in the Lowe's parking lot at the bluffs; wherein she blamed me for going back in time, leaving my car, turning a stop sign 90 degrees, so that when I went through the intersection later (in present time), I wouldn't have to stop.
"Somebody turned the sign!"
WHAT? REALLY?
Why not just accept blame by saying, "I didn't know you didn't have a stop sign, sorry."
But then again, that's what I get for stopping in the middle of the intersection & asking her why she honked & gestured.
Sheesh, it's almost like I'm an elementary teacher or something.

Anywho, to make the story more interesting later, when retelling it to my nieces, I sketched a little map to go along with my retelling. Complete with a cactus for Qdoba & a bulls eye for Target.
We laughed so hard that I magnet-ed it to the fridge.
And later texted it to my nieces so they could get just one more laugh out of it (because, you know, we're short on laughs in our family... /sarcasm).

Meanwhile, back at the ranch....

This morning, when my two littles forgot it was a holiday (the same way they forget every five days that it's a weekend) & came into our room (around 7'ish?), we sent them back out with a request to play quietly while Daddy & I (who did not forget it was a holiday) slept for mere minutes more.

It doesn't take long for some kind of disagreement to break out between my almost-Irish twins & this time, Flynn wanted to be sure that we knew E-X-A-C-T-L-Y what went down.

That is why she drew this:

to show Daddy & I, what transpired between her & her bubby.
COMPLETE with a brown vapor -- so that we could almost smell what she smelled.

And to this, I say,
the NUT doesn't fall far....

#it'sastoundingthatwe'reinchargeofchildren

Wow... I've never used a hash tag in lieu of a blog title before.

So, you may remember "Barbie Head" & all her antics. That little hooch wanted my husband & we both knew it. Only, she was far too stalker'ish. What, with her creepy ways of waiting for him in bed... and being in his car when he got in it in the morning, to go to work.

Enter: "Life-Size Barbie". She's 10 times the fun. But lots harder to transport.

LSB (let's abbreviate for the sake of time & keys) has waited outside of the bathroom while Jeff showers (picture her stiff arms propping her against his closed door... and sliding...slowly...toward him while he unknowingly swings said door open...by the way, her hair was fixed extra special that night, with a poof up front & some french rolls in back).
Picture her waiting in the dark laundry room for his 5:45 am departure for work.
And once Flynn got in on the action, LSB even joined us for dinner... although she wasn't a fan of the sweet potato fries or the zoo pals plate (much too unsophisticated for her liking).


So, LSB was hoping for something a little extra special tonight. And waited for Jeff in the shower, with baited breath. Flynn was in on the action & watched me prep LSB, with eyes as large as silver dollars.
I only wish I'd seen Jeff's reaction when he went into the bathroom to shower, and found this:It really is amazing that anyone takes me serious, ever. Also amazing?: that I've never been committed.

Happy 6th Birthday Gabe

Dear Bubby,
Wow, I never thought the day would get here when I would wish my little Buddy a SIXTH birthday wish.
There's very little part of you that's 'baby' & that makes your momma pretty sad. It helps though that you love me so much & show so much love to me. Makes it easier that you are so sweet & thoughtful...it seems like you will never be a tough guy.
This year you left your preschool life & began your school career as a kindergartner. You started that path of life with an over sized backpack & a new pair of shoes. You uncertainty was matched by mine & I couldn't believe that my baby left every shred of babyhood behind.
This year you had many firsts...

• baseball - you were a part of the "Blue Jays" & you did more dancing than anything but ended the season as a boy of summer
• gaming - that ds we bought you Santa brought you, was just the beginning in your addiction. sheesh.
• Branson's "Silver Dollar City" & the many coasters it boasts - it was worth each of the four over-priced tickets we bought, to see you raise those tiny hands of yours & yell, "Woo Hoo".

You enjoyed Halloween as a Chef. You got to know your neighbor & count him as a friend. You cried less at preschool & church. And you picked out fish as your one & only pets.
You learned the sign language for "I Love You" & never let me leave (not even for the grocery store or a stroll around the block) without pressing that sign against my mirrored hand.

My wishes for your sixth year include a confidence in yourself, but God first. I pray for you to grow more self-sufficient but never lose your attachment for Daddy, Flynn, & me. I hope you keep your sweet nature, even as you grow in your adolescence. And as you grow your faith & learn more about Who created you, it's my hope that you take the paths God has set before you in your tiny life.

God keep you safe. God keep you healthy. God bless you my baby boy.

With a love that you won't understand for a really long time.
Love,
Momma

Insomnia & Mid-of-the-Night Catching Up

I hate insomnia, BUT it's a chance for me to sit, think, & blog about lots that's been happening lately...

• Flynn lost another tooth. This is #3 & strangely, all have been bottom row.
• Flynn has added the sound "Foo" to her weird Momma-Flynn language. It sometimes follows, "Mowsch".
• I made a haul at garage sales today. Lots of classroom stuff, which is always the 'funnest' for F & G, as they get to play w/ it before it makes the trip to my school.
• Tomorrow we're headed to Purina Farms to meet up w/ a good 'old' (friends for a while, not old in age) friend & her mini. Easter Village, here we come!
• Gabe is not one ounce less sweet than last week. He melts my heart with every ILOVEYOU.
• Baseball & Softball are in full swing. Other than the fact that Mom's taxi gets frazzled & seems to run out of gas easily, I'm so enjoying watching my kids play my old past time sport.
• Gabe is obsessed with a new show, JAKE AND THE NEVERLAND PIRATES. It always makes me laugh when they're into a show, as the tv seems to rarely be on. But he loves the pirate thing.

Playing 'Ball'

Tonight is Flynn's very first softball practice. She couldn't be more excited. Matter of fact, I can't remember her being this excited about anything.
And what's with these seven-year olds acting older when they're excited. It's like an instant-teenager pill.
Things she said on the way home from school (w/ the excitement bubbling out of her as she counted down the minutes til practice):
"Oh Mom, I needed to tell you, Nolan said 'hi'."
"You forgot your phone? Drop me off at the door & I'll run in & get it."
"Hey Mom, you think you could put a headband on me before practice?"

I can't wait to follow her, I think she's going to be great... and not just because softball was my sport!

True Grit

I turned the tv to AMC & an older western was on. This immediately snagged my boy's attention as his personality as of late is cowboy, cowboy, cowboy.
He turned & stopped his racetrack building momentarily & watched the gun-slinging & lady-grabbing.
Next he said, "We need to tell Papa this is on...."
---deep thought---
"Sometimes I wish Papa wasn't my Papa, so him could be my friend."

Mowsh

Not really sure how to spell that... but sounding it out?, that's EXACTLY Flynn's new favorite "word".

It started out as 'meow', a sound of endearment between her & I. Jeff & I would laugh because she would only return it if *I* said it. Even at his insistence.

Somehow, the sound started evolving & has arrived at this German sounding 'noise'.

She says it to us when we tuck her in. She greets Bubby with it in the morning (given they're both in 'civil' dispositions). She says it when we see a baby, a kitten, a puppy, or anything fluffy.

I even heard her let the sound escape today, when I walked by her line in the hall.

I wish I could bottle the sound, so we could always knows EXACTLY what it sounds like.

My Baby & Kindergarten Testing

How, how, how could my BABY be going to Kindergarten?! Seriously!!!

So, we made it very official. I took 1/2 day off of work & picked him up at school promptly at 12:20 pm, just as I'd promised.

My date looked very handsome. His hair was 'piked. And he had on a polo.

He took me to my favorite [only] Mexican restaurant in town. We shared conversation...about Lucy.... and Sammy at school, and how close his new classroom will be to mine.
We saw a sewage truck go by & Gabe noted the size of the truck. Then insisted on knowing the truck's purpose.
All this over chips & salsa.

He made me tell the story again, about why we had his birth certificate with us & grinned while I told him that he'd need that when he goes to get his marriage license with his wife.

He proudly held my hand into my school building & greeted everyone as I directed him to. He aced the test with flying colors answers & was very confused when we got home
& I had to tell him
that school
doesn't start
for another
five
months.

Gabe Update, 2/20/11

Gabe...

• loves cars & trucks
• loves his momma, being at home with her, & days OFF of school
• wants to stay in his pj's every morning
• loves sweets & candy
• likes to craft
• likes being with family
• is loyal to his friends
• likes his stuffed lizard, "Scooby" & his stuffed manitee (from Aunt Gi)
• is musical
• is so sensitive & is very honest
• talks a lot about heaven
• still has somewhat of a speech delay & talks A LOT
• loves to give hugs & love
  

Flynn Update, 2/20/11

Flynn likes:

• Madelyn & Elly, her friends
• going places (walmart, a friend's house, out to eat, soccer)
• the stuffed puppy dog Landon gave her for V'day
• her pillow pet monkey
• dance class
• soccer
• her cousins
• chocolate soy milk, hash browns from mcd's, chips, carrots sticks, & oranges
• purple
• crafting
  

Moobs

Our Gabe is a funny boy --- says what he's thinking & means what he says.
After a shower with Daddy, he was hanging out, sitting outside of the shower & watching Daddy's every move.

Gabe looked at Dad's chest. Looked at his own. Then said what he was thinking,
"Hey Daddy?... (reaching out & pointing to his little bosom)
....when I grow up?, are these gonna get big?..... like Mom's?....and....YOURS?"

And Jeff immediately started a new diet plan.

New Years 2011

The whole family (minus Hannah) joined in for the festivities of ringing in' the New Year, 2011.

silly girls up & silly girls down there

played some Parcheesi & Scattergories...

Papa

A tuckered out Flynn (who I was able to wake up for the clock striking midnight)....and, of course, mayhem

2010 was not so bad... can't wait to see what 2011 holds!

Shave & a Haircut

MLK Day. Striped tights. Hairs cut.
My girl.

"Guy Rockets"

Flynn is in the bright/pre-gifted education at school. Our school calls it, "Sky Rockets."
One of her assignments was to take a bag & fill it with 20 unique things. She chose things like photos of her & gabe in a photo booth, trinkets, Mad Science make and takes, lip gloss, a shell from the beach & at least one of her favorite rocks.

This collection took a couple of weeks to obtain. And the whole family got in on the selections.

Fast forward a couple of months. The scene is Gabe showing Flynn something "neat" & Flynn's typical excitement for all things neat Gabe shows her.
The best though, was the response Gabe gave her...

"Finn!, Finn! You can take it to GUY ROCKETS!!"

Random Trip to Lone Elk

MLK Day lent us the morning for errands & the afternoon ride home the chance to go where we wanted.
Included on that list was a first-ever (for the kids at least) trip to "Lone Elk Park".

Snuggie Twins

Flynn got her "Princess" snuggie from the Frosts for her birthday. Gabe won his at 'Rob Your Neighbor'.
These snuggies are an important ingredient (along w/ a movie & a toasty fire) for a perfect snowy afternoon.

Space Cowboy

This handsome wrangler strolled into my room to find me to tell me & tell me a very important announcement....

"Me the SPACE COWBOY."

Now either this kid has been listening to the Steve Miller Band. Or he has taken his love for Toy Story to the next level & combined Woody & Buzz.

Awake Enough for I LOVE YOU

Last night, I went into check on the kiddos & cover them up like I always do. Flynn, my heavier sleeper, doesn't so much as stir -- even if I cause cause a little wind on her when the blanket breezes her sweet lil' face.
But Gabe, my lighter sleeper, wakes up when the I darken his doorway.

So after covering him up & tripping over his toys as I find my way back out, I hear him,
"Momma! Momma!.....
I yuv you."

I love that he isn't short on I love you's.
Even in the middle of his sleep.

Tricks & TREATS

She's a tricky one, that girl! And my buddy, he makes me want to kiss the cook!

So our Halloween was different this year than the years past. This year we started the tradition of trickin' & treatin' in our own subdivision.
KK joined us as 'Weekend Vampire' a rock band & we pounded the candy-giving pavement.

What Did You Learn at School?

My students sit in 'pods' (I call them) -- groups of desks - 4 or 5. The students are faced inward & then, have a bit of opportunity to talk amongst themselves if necessary.

I was 'layin' out the law a couple of weeks ago. I told them their musts & must-nots & followed my speech by, "...and NO monkey business."

I continued my march around the pods of desks when I heard in a small voice, "What's monkey business?" The question was 'answered' by a fellow pod-neighbor who replied in an even smaller voice, "I thinks it's like bee's wax."