GIRLS' DAY OUT

Gracie and I have been on-again/off-again talking about her getting her ears pierced. I've always told her she could get her ears pierced on her 6th birthday, if she wanted to. Up until now she hasn't wanted to because she knew it would hurt, but I knew she really DID want her ears pierced. A couple weeks ago we were at the mall having a girl's morning out, and walked by a boutique that sells jewelry and pierces ears. On a whim, she said, "Mommy, I am SO ready to do it!". So, we did!! There was only one lady working so she had to have them done one at a time, but she was very brave and was so happy afterwards. So, it wasn't on her 6th birthday but close enough. I only wish I had my camera with me! We finished the morning out with some clothes shopping and an orange julius. It was a great mommy/daughter day!

SHOULDA GOT A FLU SHOT

Not feeling much better. Today was my last day of the z-pack antibiotics and I can honestly say I don't feel fabulous. I was really hoping to feel better much earlier than this. The only thing that is getting a little better is the cough, but I've got so much head congestion and ear pain that it is just killing me. My throat is raw, probably from the coughing. Now I don't know what to do. My research tells me that the antibiotics stay in your system for 5 days after you finish taking them, so do I just wait it out? See the Doctor again? Update my will and hope for the best? The Doctor didn't test me for influenza, I'm wondering if thats what I have which would explain why the antibiotics haven't done anything.

Tomorrow is Gracie's birthday and I am having to force myself to get stuff done for it. I want it to be a great day for her! Both the kids are starting to complain of sore throats and are coughing. Oh, fabulous.

Heading off to bed, praying for a better day tomorrow.

THE END IS NEAR...

At least that what it feels like today. I have progressively gotten sicker and sicker until I finally caved and went to the doctor this morning. Its not pneumonia or bronchitis, just a really wicked head and chest cold. It's been lingering since March. I've started antibiotics so I'm hoping and praying that I feel better SOON. I don't think I've ever been so miserable. I'm sure everyone is sick of listening to me complain about being miserable. I'm sick of listening to myself complain. I bribed my kids with a soda if they would play inside today so I could rest and not worry about where they were outside. Yet another proud parenting moment.

13 YEARS ALREADY?

Today is our 13th wedding anniversary. I was spoiled by yet another bouquet of flowers, (with 13 roses!)..

and a beautiful pink hydrangea that I can plant outside and enjoy from year to year..

I can hardly believe it, its gone by so fast. I keep telling him he's got 2 more years and then he better take me somewhere warm, tropical and surrounded by water! We were lucky enough to get a gift certificate to Tomato Street from his parents, so we left the kids with them and off we went. What do you think we talked about the whole time? The KIDS! Sheesh!

So, what have we been upto in 13 years? Let's see...

-a fabulous honeymoon to Mexico (where he nearly drowned me during snorkeling...seriously...ask me about that sometime)

-4.5 years of blissful child-free married life (boy, we had NO idea how easy life was)

-Buying our first home

-Fun trips to Orlando, San Francisco, Yellowstone, Glacier, and countless road trips

-Finding out we were pregnant after 3 years of trying

-The birth of our son....this day remains the most memorable in my life

-Paco being hit by a drunk driver, and escaping with only a concussion and lots of sprains and scrapes. Thank you God!

-7+ years of opposite work schedules

-The birth of our daughter (funny I would mention this after the opposite work schedules...wonder how we managed that?!) Okay, Okay, I'll tell you, quit twisting my arm! This happened when we left Cole for the very first time for a whole weekend. Served us right!

-Work promotions (hopefully more to come!)

-Death

-Gracie's illness in January, and being reminded what a gift she is to us.

-Watching wonderful things happen for family and friends

-Tough times in our marriage, and learning from them

Of course, there's so much more, but these are the things that stand out the most to me.

So, here's to another 13 years, more wonderful memories, and growing old(er) together!

A LITTLE OF THIS, A LITTLE OF THAT

Yesterday, Cole went with his friend Joseph and his Dad on a playdate to Chuck E. Cheese. He came home with these nifty straw-glasses. Here he is drinking his O.J with them on. Aren't they fabulous? And, they only cost him 1000 tickets! Bargain!

Here is a photo of our apple tree in the backyard. The one that gives me so much dang grief in the fall by dropping about 500 apples. I can't remember it every flowering like this. Maybe I've just forgotten. You'd think after 11 years in this house I would know. Anyway, it smells SO good!

On to sadder things, it seems the brutal winter has wreaked havoc on my roses. I've lost half of them. The worst part is, I lost the ones we planted for each of the kids when they were born. Cole's was a beautiful yellow bush, and Gracie's was a Queen Elizabeth (because her middle name is Elizabeth), which produced beautiful light pink blooms. Here's what it looks like now...
I am SO bummed! However, at the very bottom I noticed a few new leaves, so I'm going to cut it way back and see what happens. Maybe I can save it! Unfortunately, I've got 5 others that are toast.

Today was a gorgeous day, too bad I'm still feeling lousy. Its not bad enough to keep me from doing stuff, just more of a nuisance and energy drainer. The kids and I didn't make it to church this morning, I felt horrible and Cole actually slept in until almost 8:30. Since he NEVER sleeps in, I didn't have the heart to wake him.

Tomorrow is our 13th wedding anniversary! I can't believe its been that long. Not all of it has been easy, but its all been worth it!

OH. ICK.

Just when I thought I was getting over my nasty bronchial cold, it has again reared its ugly head. I feel miserable. Yesterday was a tough day at work, all I wanted to do is lie down and rest. Paco was so sweet to me when he got home yesterday, he got the kids ready for bed and tucked them in and I took a hot bath. Afterwards I climbed into bed with my book and didn't even get through 2 pages. If I'm not improving by tomorrow I will head to the doctor. Im going into work this morning for a few hours to make up for leaving early on Wednesday to take care of Cole. (His pinkeye is all cleared up by the way. YES! Glad to see THAT gone). After that it is Cole's soccer game and then home for lunch and maybe a little catnap. I had a terrible night, I must have been up once an hour.

Better get in the shower! Oh yeah, its supposed to be GORGEOUS this weekend! Might by time to get those tomatoes planted!

AWWW, YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE

Lookie what I got at work today..

A little something special from my secret (or not) admirer. He said it was just because he was thinking of me. Awww shucks. As coincidence would have it (or not), it was 15 years ago today that we had our first date, and in just a few days we will be celebrating our 13th wedding anniversary...where has all the time gone?

As our charming daughter would say....I just totally love him.

THE ONE WHERE COLE SAID SOME FUNNY STUFF.

Today, in the car on the way to the pediatrician, Cole asked me about praying, and when he should do it. I said, "Oh, you can do it anytime, but maybe a good time especially would be when you're feeling sad, or mad at someone....and then he chimed in "or if I'm feeling cantankerous?" Yep. That would work too.

Then, when we pulled into the parking lot, there were quite a few cars there. He says "Wow. There sure are alot of not feeling good people here today".

He cracks me up.

Not Me Monday Tuesday

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama.
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Okay, so I'm a day late. I was busy yesterday and didn't get to it, BUT, I have many horrifying things that I've done this week to share with you. You know you love it.

First of all, I most definately did not smell my son's soccer socks to see if I really had to wash them. Just so you know, they needed washing (and boiling for that matter).

After putting yard tools back in the shed yesterday, I locked the shed and got into the car with the kids for a trip to Dairy Queen. Then, I heard our cat, Joey, meowing loudly. It dawned on me that I must have just locked him inside the shed. At that point I did NOT leave him in the shed while we drove to get ice cream. That would be cruel! What would ASPCA think about that? (FYI, it was only 15 minutes, for pete's sake, and, it was very cool outside. Oh, AND, there are vents in the shed for crying out loud). This is NOT me trying to defend my poor decision.

Regarding beforementioned trip to Dairy Queen, I did NOT go willingly. I did NOT appreciate being forced into enjoying choking down a small strawberry cheesequake blizzard.

I certainly do not feel that my daughter is superior in every way because she is able to spell chrysalis. (ok, ok, on the second try, but STILL!)

I am NOT secretly grossed out by my son's pink eye and the disgusting goop that we have to keep scooping out of his eyes.

Oh, and I'm really not overly excited about our new Topsy Turvy contraption, which we have not been searching everywhere for only to find that everyone is sold out. I did not go to Fred Meyer last night for plant food and literally stumble upon some. (Ok, I am SO freakin' excited about this I can't stand it!)

And finally, even though I have been up since 3:30am, I most definately WILL NOT fall asleep during the "Biggest Loser" finale that goes until 10pm tonight. I've been waiting all week!

ON AND ON IT GOES....

You got that right. Just when we finally got Gracie's staph infection fiasco worked out, we find out today that Cole has pinkeye. Which probably means Gracie will get pinkeye, because we all know she doesn't like to be left out of the infectious disease loop. My poor boy looks miserable, but he's hanging in there. The pediatrician says he should be good to go to school tomorrow if he's feeling up to it. If you would, say a little prayer for him that he's feeling back to himself in no time!