We made it!

The kids and I made it safe and sound to NC. The trip was great--the children traveled so well. Ryan enjoyed the landscape changes, from flat to hills to mountains. We went through two tunnels and the weather was perfect. Ryan also helped "find" the exits we needed. The invisible pen coloring books were a huge hit. We didn't stop nearly as often as I thought we would. We listened to books on CD, but often the radio stayed at a low hum. We had snacks in the car, no fast food stuff-thanks Greg. Two gas fill-ups and three bathroom breaks. The GPS only had an issue once--an apparent black hole just west of Durham.

So the kids saw Kristin and Kaylynn and it was like old times in no time flat. Kal is so beautiful. He cooes and smiles and loves his Mama. The Dungans have a light but delightful schedule planned, it took little time to feel at home. A treat for me was watching part (a very small part) of Transformers on the really big screen with really big speakers. The jalapeno cheese burgers were good too--we need to find a recipe for those! The kids however, did not want to go to sleep. Ryan was so tired but they were so chatty--hence the abbreviated viewing of the movie. We divided them up and they finally fell asleep. I laid down withthe kids. Schoolwork will involve a few phonecalls tomorrow and some more reading on social marketing. But it should be manageable--I just can't panic.

Near as I can tell, I only forgot the camera--not bad really. I bought a disposable to get us through tomorrow and Greg will overnight the digital.

All in all, I am glad we came. I'm just starting to realize I'm not working for a few days. I am ready to have some fun!! And we have been so welcomed.

iPhone versus Blackberry

I was due to upgrade my phone with Verizon. I like my phone. I like the texting and all the ringtones I have collected--the Peanuts stuff is great! But the iPhone looks so cool!! And the apps look amazing! They have a Kindle reader app now! Anyway, because the iphone costs some money and my verizon upgrade is essentially free, I went with the Samsung Omnia. I test drove it for 29 days and took it back. The applications were pitiful and the touchscreen problematic. So now I am down to a Blackberry or iPhone. There are raves about both so I am really torn. I will test drive the iPhone while I am on break from school and see how it goes. The Blackberry will still be free....

So in a few hours, the kids and I will head to NC. I have made some headway in schoolwork, so hopefully I can relax! And still do schoolwork--the last spring break I will ever have to do so! We will make the trip sans DVD player. Feel free to pray for me during the 9 hour trip there and back:) We have a couple of books on CD and I uploaded a couple to the ipod. Ryan loves to read and will be engrossed in his books most of the time. Charlotte has some sticker books, reading books and a paper doll kit. We'll see how that works in the car!

The first retriever rescue turned us down. The vet couldn't dig out Snicker's records so not all of the info they wanted was complete. Sigh... we applied to 2 others so we will be patient. I am applying to adopt a dog and hate waiting. How do people adopting children stand it? If the rescues do not work out, we will reconsider our options. Who knows, we may end up with a puppy anyway!

No work until next Saturday. Haven't goten used to that idea yet!

A Dog Journey

After about a year and a half, we are ready (we think) for another dog. The kids have been asking forever. We were looking at summer, then Greg capitulated and said we could look now (thanks honey!!). After looking through rescues and talking to friends, we seem to be leaning toward a golden retriever. We just keep coming back to them! We applied a few days ago at a golden rescue. Yes, applied. They have already talked to our vet--and I am actually worried we may not be accepted! The vet tech said they were very ah-hem..."thorough". Code for zealot(?)...anyway. We wait. Ryan helped me fill out the application on-line and we discussed getting a dog that could have puppies (no), getting a puppy (probably not) and had an interesting talk about a 3 legged pooch up for adoption. "I do not want a 3-legged dog" Ryan says. Then we had a talk about whys and why nots. Each kiddo has picked out a dog toy--Ryan is giddy about a toy that helps through a ball for fetching--Reagan has one for her shepherds at the AS and she lets Ryan play with her dogs with it. Charlotte picked out a squeaky squirrel. The kids can't wait to pick out a leash and collar--they have to wait until we get a boy or girl and see how big they are. So we are back in the land of nylabones, treats and dog baggies. I am looking at dog crates, beds and brushes. And yes, I am considering a puppy shower:)

I am excited about a warm furry beast to pet every day. I am anxious to get back in the routine of taking daily walks with a pooch. And I absolutely cannot wait to hear the kids squeal in delight as they play with a new member of the family.

Anniversary

14 years ago, Greg met me at the altar of a pretty church and agreed before God and everyone to love, honor and cherish me until death. Yesterday we celebrated another year of loving, honoring and cherishing. It wasn't a candlelit dinner with roses, glittery jewelry or limo. It was us, the kids, dinner at Fridays (one of the few places the kids will eat that isn't Steak and Shake). It was a busy day followed by chores and outside time since the weather was nice. After dinner I told Ryan I had a treat for him. How many 6 year olds would be excited about a wedding album? Ryan was delighted and we went through and identified everyone. He has always been fascinated with family pictures. We saw Grandpa David and Grandma Pat, GG Sally, GG Christine and others whose names he knows but faces he doesn't.
An anniversary is a good a time as any to look back and see where you have been and what you have done. We have two kids--wonderful, delightful really. I have a lover, a best friend, a tower of strength when I fall--I never knew how much I would need him the day I walked down the aisle. We have memories of good times together. We have the same goals and long for the same adventures. What builds a marriage--I'm sure it's unique to everyone. Ours is happy and strong and happens in quiet moments. I am loved, honored and cherished. And I know it, like when we were driving home from dinner and ice cream and he reaches over, takes my hand, looks into my eyes and say's "I love you."

It must be a recession...

I don't follow finance much. I don't understand it and appreciate that a great deal goes on with an economy booming or crashing. As an adult, this will be my first experience with a recession. I'm not enjoying it. Today I learned I will be losing a few flourishes in my paycheck. Nothing awful. the dollars lost don't bother me as much as the fear the changes within my corporation are engendering. Kettering Health Network is a top notch financially saavy place--at least they try very hard to give that impression. We get bonuses at Christmas--small ones but hey across 5 hospitals it does add up. They're building new stuff and upgrading old stuff. They've laid people off recently. No nurses but the mood is certainly cautious. the holiday dinner is no more. If you have a spouse on your insurance and they are eligible to get insured in their workplace, you have to pay a surcharge to keep them on yours. Who thinks of this stuff? Of course, the DDN published a story about how much the CEOs take home and our network presidents $180,000 housing allowance. That helps:( The executives are not taking a raise this year. While the morale certainly takes a hit when faced with all of that, to be told that the cuts they are making are to save everyone's jobs is scary. Reality but scary all the same. No one is looking to rock the boat anytime soon. This will be the first time in my career that this is starting to hit home. We are all walking around saying "at least we can work". Part of HR is taking a forced day off every week. At any rate, it is sobering.

In better news, Ryan's first new tooth is coming in. He only checks on it about 20 times a day now. He is also the proud new owner of a Nintendo DS Lite. He has a super mario game something. He is learning how to use it and I imagine it will take awhile. It'll be a bit before he can play Lego Indiana Jones which is really what he wants! We're going very slow with it.

Charlotte mastered a headstand with some furniture support. Her trick was to show me she was eating a pepper while upside down. Pretty nifty really. She is so amazing and delightful.

Greg's intinerary has changed. I don't even remember when he's leaving now and when he's coming back. But he won't be leaving March 25!

Time to write a report about radon:)

Lost tooth and other things

Ryan lost his first tooth this week and it is a major event for him. He is cataloging things like, "mommy, this is my first mac and cheese with my tooth gone." Oddly enough, he didn't want to give it to the tooth fairy and actually teared up with worry that the tooth fairy would take it even if it wasn't under his pillow. It has something to do with a book he read at school. So, it is in a jar and he wants to show it to his friends. I hope they find it as cool as he does. I refuse to look at it. It's gross and I have no idea why parents want to to keep their kids teeth. EEEWWW! My friend Charlotte find it amusing that I don't do teeth. I really don't. I had nightmares about teeth falling out of my mouth growing up--I mean ghoulish horror movie gaping and bleeding. A dream book said it meant that something bad would happen. I was just glad when the dreams stopped. Anyway, if you have a wiggly tooth, I am okay not to see it. I will not help you pull it. I am feigning enthusiasm for Ryan. He has so many questions. He checks several times a day to see his new tooth and has decided he won't play football because his new teeth won't grow back if they're knocked out. I didn't really want my extremely slender kid getting knocked around the football field anyway, so for now, our goals mesh:)
My first 8 week class this rotation is done and I got an A--in case you missed the Facebook entry:) My next class opens today. I did not turn on the computer for 24 hours, read awful romance novels yesterday and pretty much relaxed and recharged. I work all weekend. I am so looking forward to my break in April. I am making a list of shows on DVD I want to rent and catch up on.
Greg has a business trip or 2 coming up and George has graciously offerred to come out an be our nanny while Greg is gone. What a blessing that will be!!

We are getting notices about kindergarten registration thru Fairborn and I am putting it off as long as possible! All day K will wipe her out--they don't do naps or rest periods. As always, the lottery remains a prayer:)

Time for pick up.

Yes, we're still alive

Ah, so far behind on the blog. Joined Facebook and I kill some webtime there when I need a break from schoolwork so I have been remiss in updating the blog! What's new.? No snow. 50 degree weather. Mud. Sleep deprivation. Oh, yeah, that's not new. Am in week 6 of 8 in my current class and all is well. Am looking forward to a break in April. Am tentatively planning a trip to North Carolina, however, Greg dropped a bomb last night that he may be going to New Mexico from April 10-24. Which would be do-able if I worked days! So we'll see what the word ends up being. I may have to scrap my much anticiptaed vacation plans and take time off while he is gone so the kids have someone in the house with them at night. He says he won't know for sure for a few more days.

Ryan's Pinewood Derby was last Sunday. I imagined a low key affair with a plywood track. Oh, was I wrong. There was a 4 lane incline, complete with starting boxes, lights and timers. There were four heats. There were basic sanded and painted cars and there were intricate rocket launcher looking cars. Ryan took 2nd in his troop, 23rd overall. Greg told me the differences in times were seconds. So I had a great time helping Ryan sand and paint the car. Greg cut it out and the finished construction complete with weights. We went to Michaels to get the right paint etc and since Ryan can read now, he has discovered rockets. And has noted they can fly over 700 feet up. Guess what we're doing this summer? His love of Legos continues. And he has a new fascination with the Titanic. Ships and pirates receive alot of attention too. Charlotte is building with the big blocks and the build your own clubhouse kit continues to be a favorite. She loves telling stories. She often arrives early enough at the AS to help Ann with copies, so she is quite comfortable in the office and now includes hugging MJ in her daily activities. She is so comfortable there and valued.