Sons February 14, 2010

I was blessed with boys, love em.  One is 25 and one is 11.  I am forever calling them by each other’s names.  Swore I would never do it, but it happens – fact of life.

DS, the older, and I have had a bit of a falling out since Christmas time – at least that is when it came to a head.  It has been difficult and my heart has been heavy but I have tried very hard to drop him and everything about him into God’s hands.  I was surprised on Friday evening by a text message from him that he was on his way to the All Star Game in Dallas.  He has been a huge basketball fan since he was in second grade and my dad took him to a Big 12 Conference game.  Needless to say, I was thrilled for him, but full of questions because he isn’t a college educated big wig with a great job.  He is, however, very friendly and has many people in his world who like to help him out periodically.  A friend’s girlfriend lives in Dallas and apparently through her employer she was able to get him a ticket to the game tonight.  On Saturday, he texted me a number of messages and I to him.  The most we have “talked” since Christmas really.  It was great, I felt like I was allowed in his world again for a time and I am extremely grateful.  God is good.  If anyone reads this particular entry, would you said a pray for my DS, the older, that he open himself up to a relationship with the Lord and that God place in his path, Godly people to show him the way? 

Gratefully yours,

Julie

A New Tool For Education May 3, 2009

I saw this article on YAHOO and thought I’d have my son view someof the over the summer.  I followed the link to YouTube where I found this site which I think will be very useful over the summer and will help and entertain my son.

A Fun Meme September 1, 2008

The Other Kind of Labor

How long were your labors?

Kid #1: 5 days -

 Had been having labor pains for months (it’s normal, says the doctor, perhaps say I).  Woke up on September 15th,  1994 planning to get ready to be a bridesmaid at a friends wedding instead wound up in hospital on meds trying to stop deliver at 32 weeks.  Once I had progressed too far they took me off meds and within 20 minutes there he was all 5 pounds 3 ounces of him.

Kid #2: 5 minutes

Water broke at back to school night at above child’s middle school (I know, how embarrassing – for my middler schooler – not me)  I had been having labor pains for months (see above).  I figured I had time to go home and sign some of the paperwork we accumulated at back to school night.  About an hour later we headed to the hospital still having the labor pains I had been having for months.  Checked in, nurse checked me out.  Not near ready.  Nurse said since it was close to shift change she would have next nurse finish me up.  Next nurse came in and ran the IV, etc.  I asked if I could go to the bathroom after she was done.  She said yes after she checked me.  She checked me, her eyes got real big, said breathe don’t push and ran out of the room, ran back in room with other nurses and some guy, DH turned on the music I wanted to listen to while in labor (Christifori’s Dream) and that moment I had one HUGE transition contraction where I screamed like I was dying.  The guy introduced himself as a doctor, the nurse said my doctor was brushing her teeth at home because nurse one said I had a ways to go, the guy (a doctor) was pulled from the elevator to deliver my baby and so it was done.  Much better this way than the first way I must say.  This one was 5 pounds 10 ounces.  I’m a lucky woman.

How did you know you were in labor?

Kid #1: felt like any other day, been laboring for months, this time had bloody show though.
Kid #2: felt like any other day, been laboring for months, was within 2 weeks of due date and my water broke.

Where did you deliver?

Hospital

.

Who delivered?

Baby 1 – Doctor on duty at teaching hospital I had been transferred to (by ambulance – don’t suggest this as is most uncomfortable) also in same bed I had been laboring in for 3 of the 5 days.  Very hard bed.  You think they could have made me more comfortable.  Got comfortable bed afterwards thank God.

Baby 2 – Doctor yanked off elevator at local hospital for second one.  My real doctor (the doctor that everyone wants to deliver their baby was still at home brushing her teeth).  She arrived afterwards and was really nice.

 

EXTRA NEEDLESS BUT INTERESTING INFORMATION, I WAS ACTUALLY BORN ON LABOR DAY.  I ALWAYS THOUGHT THAT WAS RATHER FUNNY AND MY BIRTHDAY THIS YEAR WAS ON LABOR DAY AGAIN.  I COST MY FOLKS $21.23 – I HAVE THE CANCELLED CHECK TO PROVE IT.

If you do this meme on your blog, let me know!

This is What We Saw August 17, 2008

We moved Matt’s refrigerator to his home last night and this is what we saw.  It was just gorgeous; it seriously took my breath away.  The evening was cool for Kansas in August; the house just feels so homey and DH was able to show DS how to install an icemaker, how to change a fuse, how to adjust the hot water heater and advise him on how to install the washer and dryer.  It was just a really nice family evening although we were exhausted. 

I have to go pick up the dresser today and move the last load up either today or tomorrow.  I think I’m going to get him the lamps I saw and the nightstands for Christmas if the price is right.  That will complete his bedroom and that is what I want for him. This is where we made our purchases.  It is just a veneer but it looks lovely and is perfect for a 23 year old to whom not much has come easily except a delightful personality.

Getting Lost August 15, 2008

Yesterday was the day to go pick up the headboard.  I don’t like to drive the highways so I do my best to avoid them.  I had to use 71 on the way there but I headed back out in a different direction on the way back.  I knew we lived west and north of where we were and so off we went. 

 

 

 

 

What a joy it was to travel through the rural areas where all you could see was fields of green, stalks of corn, bales of hay, an occasional home and blue skies.  It was great.  We could have gone directly back in 30 minutes but instead we spent 90 minutes just enjoying the feeling of open space and each other’s company.  It was great.

Had bunco last night and I won the middle of the road prize.  It was fun to get together with all the other women.  Rob got his fish tonight while he was with his dad.  I got home in time to watch him feed them.  He loves them already.  He ended up with four rather than three.  I envision lots of fish tanks in his future.

Our anniversary is today.  We don’t have anything planned and that is okay.  It is such a busy time right now.  Rob offered to go to a friends house (bless his heart).  We’ve got to load up stuff in the van to move to Matt’s new house tomorrow evening.  I’ve got TOPS tomorrow morning.  I need to get flowers to Phyllis today hopefully and see if Rob can go to Jeff’s tomorrow from early morning to mid afternoon.  I’ve got to pick up the appliance dolly tomorrow at 1:00 p.m. so I’ve got to remember to have room in the van for it plus maybe the headboard.

Greg is not going to work the second job anymore.  I am a bit frightened about that but he says we will be okay.  I hope he can arrange to bill out his time to clients through the firm like he thinks he should be able to and get a cut of those billings.  He thinks the partners will support that.  I worry that he won’t pursue it.  I don’t know why I don’t have faith that he’ll do it because he says he will and he is reliable.  It is probably because I want to know now and he is oh so patient.

Anyway, off to make my list of things to do longer.

Matt Bought a House July 20, 2008

Matt, #1 DS, in birth order not love order cuz in love order DH and DSs are all bunched up there together; anyway he bought a house with a buddy!  I can’t believe it.  At age 23 there is no way I would have been so brave to have done it really I wouldn’t have even thought about it. 

 DH has a brokers license which he needed for a previous job so he was able to help show them houses in a professional capacity not a “dad” capacity.  The guys really appreciated all he did for them, all he pointed out to them and all the help he was with the contract.  I get to go see the place on Tuesday evening and I’m looking forward to it.  They close on August 19th which means that DS will have to find a place to sleep for three weeks – Kansas in the summer too hot to sleep in the car so I don’t know what he will do.  With gas prices I don’t know that he can afford to commute from here.  He’ll figure something out.

The house is a four bedroom.  They intend to rent out one if not both of those rooms which will help with the payment.  DS is just glad to have somebody to share the cable and utility bills with.  We plan to give them our 17 year old refrigerator so I’m going to get a new one! which is a yay! except we went to look at them last night and they are expensive (who knew) and ugly.  Stainless is in but there were fingerprints galore all over those things and our home is not a modern type place it is much more traditional.  We have a problem.   Did I mention that my son bought a house?!!!

Today June 26, 2008

I got up earlier than normal, showered and washed my hair, stripped the sheets, put up some laundry and headed downstairs for breakfast which was egg toast.  I then spent some time on the computer looking up ads for shopping, made my to do list, woke Rob and got him breakfast.

We then went to tennis where he did real well.  After tennis we went to the 1/2 price bookstore to turn in his reading card.  I found a book from the Jan Karon series for $1.00 and Rob found a Pokemon book for $2.48.  I ended up getting out of there for under $1.00.  We were hungry so we went to Mr. Goodcents.  I just love visiting with this dear little guy.  We stopped next at Borders where I used my 30% off coupon for YOU on a Diet.  Next, we went to WalMart where we bought potatoes, diet rite, folders for TOPS, and some Fiber One bars.  Then on to CVS to pick up a prescription and drop one off.  With our insurance change I had to pay over $300.00 for one month of medication.  Good golly.  I’m glad that it goes toward our deductible and that it may soon be paid for.  DH said that this insurance would end up being a better deal for us than the other one offered so I’ll have to trust him on that.  Anyway I also picked up three Aleve, 20 counts for $2.99 and used $1.00 off coupon so that was good I guess and we found some new goggles for Rob.   Then it was on to Office Max where Rob copied his little heart out for me, it was a joy to watch him work those machines.  I’m glad he was there because I didn’t know how to two side copy something.  I was able to use my 15% off printing coupon so I saved TOPS some money.  Then we finally got to head home.

I told Rob about how when Matt was young like him I would work all day and then pick him up from daycare and have to run all my errands afterwards.  We wouldn’t get home until 7:00 or 8:00 sometimes.  He asked if my other husband had and job and I explained to him that he did but that it didn’t pay much and we didn’t feel like we could live with just one salary.  In retrospect we probably could but neither of us thought about it.  I feel so badly that I couldn’t give Matt this life; Rob said as we were walking that he felt bad for Matt. 

Anyway good, busy day; off to talk to DH.  Still have to do laundry, finish bylaws and load up new folders.

Mother’s Day May 11, 2008

I have had a great time today so far.  I got a card from Matt that was so funny and he wrote a sweet message on it.  Rob has made it Mother’s Day weekend so I’ve been loved up one side and down the other.  Greg and Rob bought flowers for our garden which we will be planting here shortly.  Greg is such a great gardender.  We hope to take a walk late this afternoon and then will grill steaks out for dinner.  I’ve just been reading the paper, establishing my book list on the website I mentioned in a previous entry – the name escapes me right now.  I called my mom.  She was on the way home from visiting my brother.  I wished her a happy day and she did to me.  I could tell she was glad that I called.  I also just talked to my sister and Tyler did call her so all is well.  She sounded great.  She walked in the Mother’s Day walk here locally and enjoyed that and is going to go out and look for flowers so she will be fine.  I’m still thinking of running back home tomorrow to take my mom and other sister out for lunch.   I wish  a Happy Mother’s Day to mother’s everywhere.

Mother’s Day May 10, 2008

Sunday is Mother’s Day, I wonder if he will remember.  I wonder how I will feel if he doesn’t.

Mutual Fund Store recommendation March 7, 2008

UMBIX

MXXIX

ARTIX

FBRSX (sm cap) 5%

www.smart401K.com to figure out allocation