Random things

Facebook users have been tagging like crazy with 25 Random things... I finally did mine today and I think that I need to add one more.

1. My husband originally had a crush on my best friend. I am sloppy seconds.

2. My son's laughter is the highlight of my life.

3. Yosemite National Park holds a special place in my heart. My maternal family was born there and is counted among the first original Indian families displaced by the federal government. (lifted from my sister, but still true)

4. I was the first baby of the year in Mariposa County (Jan. 2). Yes, I am a member of the John C. Fremont club.

5. I am the "white sheep" of my family. Only blonde/blue eyed kid out of four. Everyone else has dark hair, brown eyes, oh- and a tan.

6. I never wanted this big of an age gap in between children.

7. My sister was always the "pretty one" until I had glamour shots done on my 16th birthday, then it was realized that I was pretty too.

8. My (bio) dad was killed when I was 3 (sis was 8). The circumstances surrounding his "accident" were covered in a 20/20 episode back in the early '90's.

9. I married young but try to discourage 'kids' from marrying until they are older.

10. I love my family more than anything and miss them terribly.

11. My hair has gotten darker and curlier with age.

12. I missed my 10 year reunion because my son was battling leukemia.

13. I wish that I had more pictures with my parents and grandparents.

14. I skipped the 6th grade.

15. I never EVER imagined that I would go to Africa and now I can't imagine my life without that trip of a lifetime.

16. I do NOT like cats. I tolerate them, but I do not like them.

17. Princess Bride is my favorite movie of all time. My wedding music was to the soundtrack.

18. I wish that my husband would dance with me.

19. I have met some of my closest friends online thanks to the awesomeness of the online Down syndrome support network, Downsyn.com

20. I will always stand up for what I believe in.

21. I never want Ethan to leave us. This whole growing up to be independent away from home is not in the cards. I will build him his own apartment on the property if I have to, but he's not leaving.

22. I once offended a Tiffany's representative in Beverly Hills because I said that a necklace was gaudy and ugly.

23. I have been diagnosed with two conditions that SUCK! ONE: Pulsatile tinnitus. I have a constant swishing heartbeat in my left ear. There is nothing anyone can do about it and it about drives me insane some days. TWO: Rheumatoid Arthritis. Ethan was about to turn 1 and I couldn't even open his bottle. It is a horrible disease and it robs me of many special moments.

24. I am still trying to figure out what my talent is.

25. The only shoe that I will ever love is the flip-flop.

Bonus: I hate it when people don't use YOUR properly. Again: YOUR=YOUR. YOU'RE=YOU ARE.

I'm back!

WOO HOO! lol...

My google reader is out of control. I think I am going to have to zero it out and start fresh. I have to download some stuff back onto my PC, but it's no big deal. Thanks again to Chris for taking the time to fix my puter.

Ethan is supposed to have swimming in the morning, but I am not sure if we will make it. He had a tummy bug or something tonight, so I may keep him home in the morning.

I have the coolest story to share, but I am waiting so I can get it just right.

Still no puter...

:(

My friend, Chris, is working hard on it for me! Apparently, he's having some trouble transferring some data. I am just excited that I have a smart computer-loving friend who can fix these things for me and then lets me pay in enchiladas...LOL! Here's to hoping that he doesn't run into much more trouble!

THANK YOU, CHRIS!!! *muah*

Dermatologist

I had a full skin screening today and all is well. I do have a carcitosis, or something like that, but it's harmless. I didn't even have to have anything frozen for biopsy! That's excellent since the last time I went, I had to have over FIVE sent for biopsy and 3 removed. Like I told my sister, Kim...this is just part of the grand advantage of being whiter than snow. LOL.

Withdrawals

I have been computerless for almost a week...it sucks! I am posting this via my phone, so I apologize for any spelling errors.

I am finally starting to feel better, Scott's pox are now scabs or gone and he is, happily, back at work. I called my dermatologist and have an appt. on Thursday for all who kept pushing me to call.

I spoke with my grandma today and it just breaks my heart. Her memory is going and she's probably in the early phases of Alzheimer's. I am afraid she won't know me the next time I see her. She has already forgotten who Ethan is. Then, my grandpa called me baby...THAT has NEVER happened before!

I really need my pc back so I can get my thoughts out!

I knew it!

Sinusitis/Bronchitis. That's what I have. I used to get this every year, but I haven't in a while. Well, I got it again. Fun times! YAY me.

Scott is covered in pox, but he feels SO much better in terms of fever. Bless his heart, some are starting to dry up and scab, but more are popping out all the way down to his toes. He has them in his ears and even on his eyes- which worries me the most. This is going to be a long week for him.

Ethan has cabin fever. He is so weepy. He can't stand that we have not felt up to playing around on the floor and stuff. Then, school was canceled today due to the 1/2 inch of snow we got last night (yes, I said HALF inch. It's ridiculous how school is canceled with a flurry here!), so he was indoors with us AGAIN. Poor kid.

The doctor just called me and said that my chest x-ray shows that I have a nodule on my left lung, but that it doesn't seem to be anything to worry about. I just have to go back in six months to see if there's any changes. It's been fun!

Missing Daddy

In my professional Mommy/Nurse One opinion, Scott definitely has the pox. He's covered. Some are more fluid-filled than others and the itching has begun. He is currently in an oatmeal bath courtesy of Aveeno. The anti-itch lotion is working too, so he is not terribly miserable, but still miserable.

Ethan does not like, nor does he understand being quarantined away from Daddy. He tries to get in the room every chance he gets and cries when I take him away. He is such a Daddy's boy. Ethan does, however, find comfort in my coughing up a lung. That, to him, is HILARIOUS.

LG Vu

I got a new phone yesterday. I didn't plan on getting a new phone at all. I simply went in to pay my bill and kill time before picking Ethan up from school. As it turns out, AT&T was having a 50% sale on LG phones, so I peeked. So, this was $109 with a $50 rebate, then I had a $25 gift card, so I got it for under $30. I have found that it is easier on my RA strickin hands, and of course, prettier. LOL!

Scott saw it- wasn't happy, but was too sick to discuss it. I am sure once I tell him the deal I got and how it is better for my hands, plus how I can use if for my Uppercase Living business more effectively than my other phone, I don't think he'll be that upset anymore. (Geesh, how long was that sentence! LOL!)

Chicken Pox

Maybe. For Scott. Yep. I am pretty sure. Ugh.

Bless him...he is so sick. Last night, he came home from work and fell asleep on the couch all curled up in a comforter. Ok, now Scott is typically the hot one- always wearing shorts and t-shirts because I have the heater turned up, so for him to wrap up in a blanket, something was up. But, I just thought it was because it was freezing yesterday and him needing to dethaw. (Ok, maybe nothing compared to everyone in the negatives, but the teens are c-c-c-cold for us here!) THEN, he asked for more blankets. I had two more blankets on him DOUBLED up and he was still shaking from being cold. After putting him in bed, I thought that he would definitely be feeling better by morning.

Nope. Same. He slept ALL day. This, again, is NOT Scott. He is the morning person. The one who has to be doing something. Sleeping. He has had a persistant headache, severe at times, that has not gone away since last night. His fever was at 102 the last I checked, he has limited appetite, and has only been awake for maybe a cumulative hour today. Oh, and those lovely little blisters started forming on his chest, stomach, head, and back.

Scott didn't have chicken pox as a kid, so it is very possible that this is what he has. Where was he exposed??? I have NO idea. The problem is that he could have been exposed a couple of weeks ago and he's just now getting sick from it. I am doing my best to try and keep some form of liquid in him- gatorade is our friend. I know he needs his rest, but I can't have him getting dehydrated either. I am also going to give him more Tylenol here in a bit so I can keep his fever down.

I went out tonight and bought all the lovely Aveeno products that are for chicken pox relief- oatmeal bath, lotion, ointment...

Oddly enough, Ethan is the healthiest member of this household at the moment! I have had a cold since Wednesday and I think it is now settling into a sinus infection. Niiiiice. Ethan was such an angel boy today though! Thank God. I was certainly not feeling up to fighting with a stubborn 7 year old today.

Hoping and praying that tomorrow is a better day for hubby!

Special Olympics Swimming

Today, we began our 8 week (I think) training to Special Olympics for swimming. Why we did bowling first and swimming second when it is FREEZING outside? WHO KNOWS!!! Ethan was right at home again in the water. He immediately started kicking! I guess the rule is that the kids need to be able to propel themselves with a little help, so the independent kicking is in the right direction!

I took the camera, but since I was IN the pool, no pictures were taken. I know how you all were just dying to see me in my bathing suit. Yeah, I'm thinking not.

It is quite the chore to get our THREE kids prepared for the water and then to leave. Undress, swimming diaper on, swim trunks on- or in Ethan's case, wet suit on, life vests on, in water, swim for an hour, get out, dry off child, undress child, diaper back on, clothe child, dry hair under hand dryer, put AFO's back on...it's a workout!

Since the games are in March, Ethan will not qualify for a placement ribbon again since it will be before his 8th birthday- ok, did I just say 8th!?!?!?. He will only qualify for a participant ribbon. Oh well- it's good practice for next year!

When walking back to the locker room to change, Ethan was walking in only his swim diaper. He really has the skinniest legs! I really never see him walking without his pants on, so it was just something that both Mary and I noticed. I'll try and get a picture soon!

Yummy Lotion????

Ok, I need to know- is Ethan the ONLY child out there who enjoys the taste of lotion!?!?!?!? Good grief, I cannot get him to quit licking his fingers after he's all lotioned up! Tonight, he even started licking his lips when I went to grab the lotion bottle. What gives? One, I think it's nasty. Two, it can't be that good for you. I mean, he's obviously not ingesting a terrible amount, but still. It grosses me out. Please, please- someone out there tell me that he is not the only one! OR, tell me what YOUR kid insists on doing that grosses/creeps you out.

He stood up!

WITHOUT ANY SUPPORT!!!

This is the news that I received upon arrival to pick Ethan up from school today. Mary said that he thought that her hand was there to help him, but it wasn't and he did it ALL BY HIMSELF and then even continued to stand there alone for a little bit!!!

Big boy. Only great things to come.

Kamrin's "Visit"

This past Thursday, my little sister (yes, even when she is 50, I will still call her my little sister!) and her boyfriend, Kyle, had a layover in Charlotte on their way home from their 8-day Caribbean cruise. Yes, I was about as green as her shirt with envy!

Thankfully, their flight was on time and we were able to maximize almost two hours together! Kamrin was starving, so we went down to Cracker Barrel for some good southern fixin's! LOL! Ethan was, of course, a crab-butt. I tend to think of it as him just not wanting to see his Auntie go!

It was great to see her, of course! A day does not go by that I do not miss my family back home in California. So, this was a very special and unexpected added bonus to my week! I love you Drew! I am so happy that you went on this trip, had the time of your life, and are now home safely. *muah*

So much to say...

But not now. LOL! I still have photos to edit and stuff, so who knows when I will get to post. My visit with Kamrin and Kyle was, of course, WAY TOO SHORT but I am so grateful for that short time we did have.

Countdown is ON!!!

Birthday continued...

Scott and I were able to have "date night" last night thanks to my friend Amy. We went to see Four Christmases and then had dinner reservations at Arigato's.

The movie was quite funny! Kamrin had told me that I would enjoy it and she was right! Good gosh, Reese Witherspoon is tiny! Especially next to Vince Vaughn! We skipped popcorn though since we had to have ready and able tummy's for Arigato's!!!

Ok, so Arigato's is a Japanese Seafood and Steakhouse where they cook the food right in front of you. You have to be sure to pace yourself because it is a bunk load of food! Check it- you get: Soup, Salad, Appetizer Shrimp, Veggies, Fried Rice, and your "meat". I got the petite filet, shrimp, and lobster. YUM, YUM, and more YUM. Scott got the Shrimp Scampi, Scallops, and petite filet. His was yum too!!! Oh my gosh, I was full through until lunch today. Arigato's is definitely a special occasion type place as it was not cheap. But, Scott and I had a great night and it just capped off a wonderful night.

Today was pretty quiet. We went out to the houses Scott is building. I am in love with one of them- I just need to figure out how to get $538k to pay for it! LOL! Theresa and the girls came over for a bit to bring me birthday loot and love. Delaney has been very loving toward her Auntie Boo lately. I am thoroughly enjoying it. Madison is always happy to see me, but it quickly fades to doing something else. I know Delaney will be there soon too, so I love our bonding time now.

Great birthday weekend! Back to reality tomorrow...

My Birthday

Friday was my birthday. It's great to be 29 again!!! hehe... My friend, Jamie, watched Ethan while I went to lunch with some of my friends that went to Kenya with me. We had a great lunch. Then, I went back to Jamie's and just hung out and visited for a while. I was able to stop by and see Karen on my way home. I didn't think that I would see her on my birthday, so it was an added bonus! I didn't have much time, though, because I had to run home to get ready to go to the Disciple concert. You may remember me talking about them here.

Scott got me a card that was very simple and yet it is probably the most special to me because of what it said: "I am sorry that I couldn't spend the whole day with you" Awwww...

We looked forward to watching Ethan rock out since he loves to dance to Disciple with his Daddy and his favorite song is by them. Scott went out and bought Ethan some kiddie ear plugs, which were basically non-smelly playdough to stick in the ears.


Ethan rocking out with Daddy

Then, it happened. I knew Scott was up to something when Kevin called and then Scott took the conversation outside. After about four songs, Kevin mentioned how they love North Carolina and how he has made great friends here. Then, he said that one of them was at the concert and it just so happened to be her birthday. Yep, that would be ME! He then led the 400+ crowd in Happy Birthday to me. It was very sweet and Jamie only got the last, oh, 4 seconds on video. Very special. Thank you!



On to Ethan's FAVORITE song, "The Wait is Over". He immediately had a HUGE smile on his face and then Scott scooped him up to do some jumpin'!


The thing that I love about Disciple is how they are true to their values and they bring that to their shows. Here is Kevin reading scripture to the crowd after they were done playing...


After the show, we made sure to spend a little bit of time with Kevin and the band. Unfortunately, it wasn't very long because they had to get back on the road.




Until next time! We just have to go to one of their shows on May 25th because then we will all have seen them on our birthdays!

Seriously, this has to have been the best birthday in a very long time. Thank you to everyone who wished me happy birthday by phone, mail, facebook, text, or by singing by mass crowd at a Disciple concert! It means so much to me, thank you.

Welcome to 2009!

WOW! 2009. Where did 2008 go??? We hope that everyone had a wonderful New Year's. We went to over to our friends, Chris and Theresa's house. We have gone there or they have come here since our move here in 2003. It has become our new tradition for me to make enchiladas. I used to always make the beef ones and then I started making the chicken ones more. The husbands like the beef better, while Theresa and I prefer the chicken. So, this year I made both. I guess they were pretty dang good since there is only one left now!

We played the new game of LIFE. It was pretty cool! We also played the new Scene It. Games are a must on NYE. We watched the ball drop from Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve- it is so heartbreaking to see Dick Clark post-stroke. While I still think he looks amazing, his speech is a reminder of his struggles, which I find so sad.

My parents bought Ethan his very own trampoline to have here at home! For some reason we didn't see that it had been delivered yesterday, so Ethan had a little present today. Scott put it together while I was napping. He LOVES it already. I will post some pics soon.

Here's to a great 2009!