December 31,2009

I have done a poor job of keeping up with this blog. I actually have some free time today, so I'm downloading pictures, music, and updating this neglected hobby. Here we go...
Sam: Huge.
Climbed out of his crib the day after Thanksgiving. He's actually done pretty well sleeping in the twin bed. We do have to keep the gate up at his door to contain him. One night I found him watching tv in the living room at 3 am.
He's a little weird. I know, I know, that's mean, but he is! He's terrified of the strangest things, but not scared of expected things. He is absolutely horrified by drive through car washes. I'm serious. If he weren't buckled into his car seat, he'd probably be attached to the top of my head the entire time the car is being washed.
Animals still freak him out. He won't even look at the fake animals at Cabella's or Bass Pro Shop. Even the aquarium upset him.
Bubbles. He likes bubbles okay in the bath as long as there isn't too many of them. Too many of the, and he's a shrieking terrified child.

Mason: He's six now!
He gave up his baby blanket and kitty kat for a Texas Tech Blanket. Yes, mama is proud.
Mom and I took him to Six Flags for his birthday and we all had a blast. Keenan even ended up going with us. Mason has no fear. He wanted to ride everything there was. I had poor judgment and let him ride the Shock Wave with me. (That's the one with the two loops.) It really freaked him out, but I was proud of the way he handled it. He never cried. He just told me over and over he wasn't riding that thing ever again.
Kindergarten, well it's been a challenge. He's reading! But he doesn't like it. He's been having a hard time staying out of trouble. But he's getting there. I have to keep reminding myself what a big change this is for him.
We had our yearly checkup with his nephrologist last week. We also had a renal scan done at Cook's. This time we opted for the anesthesia to have the catheter and IV placed. This made for a much easier day. The scan itself was okay. Not as good as last year, but not as bad as it has been. We'll just keep on keepin' on for now!

Kooper: He's turning into such a little man.
He just got back from Christmas at Disney World. We all got Disney World presents from him. I'm now the proud owner of some pink mickey mouse pajama pants. :)
Koop got his first gun this year. Dale, Kathy, Mike, and I all went together to buy a 20 gauge Benelli, youth model. I think he was speechless. We had been telling him he was too young for a gun. It's a beautiful gun that will be passed down to all three boys. He's dying to go shoot clays this weekend. I'm a little excited to shoot it myself, since it might fit me better than mine!
He's gotten his braces off and has a retainer now. He's learned a very valuable lesson about leaving it laying on the table in a napkin at a restaurant. He lost it recently and after having the entire restaurant staff dig through the trash, poor guy had to go home and tell his mom he lost it. Bet that doesn't happen again!
He's a cell phone junkie. He wil text people all day long if you don't tell him to put the phone up. He texted Mike the other day about something "being tite". Mike didn't respond and I think he figured out real quick that dad isn't "down" with all the lingo.
Typical teenage stuff aside, I'm really proud of the young man I've seen coming out this year.

Mike: As patient and sweet as ever. What more can I say?

Me: Finished up my first semester of nursing school. I'm actually thinking I can do this now. I ended up with an "A" in a class that they said nobody gets "A"s in. Very proud of that. I finished out with the best GPA I've had since high school. I've got a six week break until next semester. I really thought I would relax and enjoy it, but that hasn't happened yet. I'm actually ready to get back to it now that Christmas is over. Next semester is only one class and one clinical. Compared to the four classes and clinical I just completed, it sounds easy as cake.
Hard to believe it's the end of 2009. This year has really flown by. We had snow again today, 3rd time in a week. We had a freak blizzard come in for Christmas, leaving us all stranded at home on Christmas day. We actually kind of enjoyed staying in on Christmas day, but were sure glad to get out the next day to see our families. No trips to Austin this year for the New Year's. Just a quiet night at home with the kids.
As the last day of the year closes again, I'm always reminded of the wonderful blessings I have and the wonderful memories to always keep. Happy New Year's to everyone! Hope the New Year brings wonderful things to us all.